Bloomsbury Castoriadis, Foucault, and Autonomy: New Approaches to Subjectivity, Society, and Social Change: 24 (Continuum Studies in Continental Philosophy)

This book examines Cornelius Castoriadis' thought and the radical alternative it presents to the legacy of Michel Foucault, focusing on three key notions that are central in both scholars' theories: the subject, the production of social meaning and representation, and social/cultural change. Castoriadis and Foucault faced similar theoretical and political challenges and tackled common questions, yet their conclusions diverged significantly. This important book establishes, for the first time, a critical dialogue between these two bodies of thought. Through a detailed exploration of the Castoridian perspective, Marcela Tovar-Restrepo addresses the limitations of Foucault's poststructuralist thought; exploring and comparing what those three central notions mean in each framework. In so doing, Tovar-Restrepo elucidates a greater understanding of their differences and the resulting consequences for the social sciences and the role of social theory. Ultimately, this book presents Castoriadis' philosophical and theoretical position as an alternative to unresolved poststructuralist problems and to what Castoriadis saw as a deterministic ontology embedded in political relativism; paving the way for an invigorating debate about autonomy and social change. Review In a discussion of the highest intellectual quality, Tovar-Restrepo explicates Castoriadis' principal ideas, placing the development of his thought in its historical and political context, and engaging critically with the ongoing debates surrounding his work. In comparing Castoriadis' thought with that of the more widely-known Foucault, she uncovers the strengths and weaknesses of each, and presents a persuasive case for the under-recognized value of Castoriadis' thought for understanding the human subject and society,and as an intellectual foundation for the political project of autonomy. This book is an important addition to the growing body of scholarship on Castoriadis' thought and a valuable contribution to the critical appraisal of Foucault. -- Jeff Klooger, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, author of Castoriadis: Psyche, Society, AutonomyIn a close reading of these works, M. Tovar-Restrepo gives a rigorous and passionate account of a fundamental debate in French contemporary philosophy. -- Fabio Ciaramelli, Professor of Legal Philosophy at University of Catania, ItalyCornelius Castoriadis was one of the most original and imaginative social thinkers of the twentieth century. Focusing on the themes of subject, society, and social change, Tovar-Restrepo has written a lucid and lively exposition and defense of his engaged thinking.Comparing him with Foucault she argues that Castoriadis helps to solve fundamental problems that Foucault left unresolved.This is an excellent contribution in restoring the importance of the thinker of radical imagination and radical democracy. -- Richard J. Bernstein, Vera List Professor of Philosophy, New School For Social Research, New York, USATovar-Restrepo's reading of Castoriadis, a lesser-known contemporary of Foucault, is clear, concise, and critically thought-provoking. -- Vincent Crapanzano, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and Anthropology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, USA About the Author Marcela Tovar-Restrepo is Director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program and Lecturer in the Anthropology Department at Queens College, The City University of New York, USA.