Raji Steineck - Key Note Address ENOJP Brussels 2016
Channel: European Network of Japanese Philosophy
Date: 2017-03-06

"The Limits of Nature: Reification and Its Discontents".  Raji Steineck  (University of Zurich).  Chair: Jan Gerrit Strala

Abstract: An essential ideological problematic of premodern societies was “anthropomorphism”: anonymous forces and processes presented themselves to common sense as so many manifestations of the intentions of personal agents – be they identified as human or otherwise. In modern society, this problematic has been reversed into one of “reification”: processes and forces that are the result of human interaction now present themselves as anonymous “natural” relations between things. Consequently, human beings are not only factually subjected to forces beyond their individual control, they are also mentally restricted to think in ways that perpetuate their subjugation. In my presentation, I follow Hiromatsu Wataru and Maki Yūsuke, who take the Marxian critique of commodity fetishism as the basis for more general critiques of reification. Special attention will be given to their analyses of “nature” and “time,” which play a crucial function in the workings of modern society. Finally, I question whether reification is an evil to be avoided at all costs, or whether it has its legitimate place and function even after the “merciless criticism of all that exists” that philosophy needs to undertake as long as there are social relations that subjugate and denigrate human beings.

This lecture took place at the Second annual conference of the European Network of Japanese Philosophy [ENOJP] 7–10 December 2016, Université libre de Bruxelles [ULB].

More informations:
http://enojp.org/
http://chisokudopublications.com/

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