The formal norm for human beings

In the text Psychoanalysis and Philosophy (1993), Castoriadis calls the subjectivity characteristic of autonomy - a reflective and deliberate subjectivity - "the formal norm for human beings" (The Castoriadis Reader, trans/ed. D.A. Curtis, Blackwell 1997). This statement of a certain philosophical anthropology, indicates that autonomy is seen by Castoriadis to be the realization of human nature; autonomy is the cultural life form that allows human beings to flourish. As such, this passage goes against the interpretation of autonomy as something that we invented, and then kept striving for because we liked it - i.e. mere perspecitivsm. See earlier discussions on this topic here - post called Three levels of autonomy ...

I furthermore have found more reasons to relativize the stark opposition of heteronomy and autonomy (confer discussion opened by Suzi here), in that traditional "heteronomous" societies are in many ways reproducing themselves by stories whose meaning and significations are rather open-ended. Cf. myths, which are rather more stimulative to the creative imagination than atheist imagery. I think CC might agree on this.

Ingerid S.

Castoriadis Réinventer l'autonomie Paris March 1-3

This year, it will be 10 years since the passing away of Cornelius Castoriadis. The University of Paris VIII - which has an interesting story /here in English connected to May 68 - and the University of Cergy-Pontoise, are marking this event with a grand conference, announced on the front page of Association Castoriadis here

We invite bloggers and commentators who will participate at this conference to discuss contributions and upcoming/ongoing discussions on this blog. As this is a group blog - with a majority of sleeping bloggers - you are welcome to sign up as a blogger and create new posts.

Participants from the Nordic Castoriadis study circle will be there!

(See programme in comment)

Thanasis the blogger?

I would like to hear from Thanasis, the blogger who engaged with me in a very interesting discussion on Arendt vis à vis Castoriadis a few months back.
As I am currently writing my PhD-thesis and have chosen to develop some of the points that you made, it would be very good to be able to refer to your real name, if you don't mind? My email: ingerids2-a-yahoo.no

Ingerid S.