December 1

Luce deLire (JHU)

Erotics as first philosophy—Metaphysics and/of Desire between Aristotle, Avicenna, Cavendish and Spinoza

Abstract: Theories of desire are largely thought to belong to one of two camps: negative desire as lack, on the one hand, or positive desire as engine or productive flow, on the other. While some say that desire searches for something not present, others say that desire was to be understood as an active force. Theories of desire thus seem divided between push and pull, production and attraction, drive and drag, lust and lack, surplus and scarcity. In this text, discussing Aristotle, Ibn Sina, Descartes, Spinoza and Cavendish, I explore the connection of theories of desire to metaphysics. I argue that instead of opting for push or pull, positive or negative desires, we should understand desire to be constantly deflecting between and beyond the two positions. In this sense, I argue, we should be Cavendishians about desire. 

Luce deLire is a PhD Candidate at Johns Hopkins University with interests in the history of philosophy and metaphysics.

A recording of the session will be made available for some time following the event.

(The “Downloads” page is password-protected, and the password is available to all members of the Spinoza and EMP Workshop email list.)