System individuation in differential and dialectical ontology: Deleuze, Hegel, and systematic thought
Abstract
My dissertation charts the history of the system concept in order to define the moment at which immanent, systematic ontology is first related to the problem of individuation. It turns out that this moment is attained in the logic of Hegel, and that the Hegelian logic presents us with a rich constellation of concepts and methods for thinking individuals systemically. Despite criticism of the Hegelian philosophy in large portions of 20th century philosophy, detailed examination of Hegel's Science of Logic indicates that Hegelian categories continue to inform more contemporary attempts at thinking individuals systemically, for instance Gilles Deleuze's differential philosophy. We show that Deleuze's ontology owes a conceptual debt to the Hegelian system, before staging a conceptual encounter between the systems of Deleuze and Hegel in order to redefine the problem of the individuation of thought, taking place through a form of operational closure, within contemporary "system philosophy."
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Smith, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Philosophy
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