Ethics and the ontology of freedom: Problematization and responsiveness in foucault and deleuze

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Abstract

Both Foucault and Deleuze define ethics as a form of creative activity. Yet, given certain ontological features indicated by both thinkers, ethics must be more than just creative and critical activity. Forgoing a transcendent ground for ethics, the ontological condition of ethics - what Foucault calls liberté and Deleuze calls the plane of immanence - is an opening for change that makes possible normalizing modes of existence as well transformative ones. In this context, ethics must be a practice that comprehends the dangers of such open-ended creation. The concept of problematization, emphasized by Foucault and Deleuze, leads to an enhanced understanding of their conception of ethics. On this understanding, ethics is a practice of problematization requiring a determination and assessment of the most pressing problems to which one must respond rather than attempt to solve once and for all. Ethics is necessarily a responsive engagement with the problems of one's present. © Erinn Cunniff Gilson 2014.

Publication Title

Foucault Studies

Issue

17

First Page

76

Last Page

98

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.22439/fs.v0i17.4254

E-ISSN

18325203

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