The persistence of the negative : a critique of contemporary continental theory

## A compelling critique of contemporary continental theory Through a series of incisive readings of leading theoretical figures of affirmationism – Jacques Derrida, Gilles Deleuze, Bruno Latour, Antonio Negri and Alain Badiou – Benjamin Noys contests the tendency of recent theory to rely on affirmation, and especially an affirmative thinking of resistance. He reveals a profound current of negativity that allows theory to return to its political calling. Bibliography 188 Contents 5 Acknowledgements 7 Preface 9 Introduction 13 I 13 II 14 III 16 IV 21 V 25 VI 27 VII 28 NOTES 31 1. On the Edge of Affirmation: Derrida 35 UNCONDITIONAL AFFIRMATION 37 ‘NOT NECESSARILY NEGATIVE’ 42 SAINT NIETZSCHE 45 UNEMPLOYED NIETZSCHE 49 SPECTRAL SUBJECTS 53 NOTES 58 2. Adieu to Negativity: Deleuze 63 THE POSITIVISATION OF DIFFERENCE 65 THE PROBLEM OF THE NEGATIVE 68 THE GRANDEUR OF MARX 73 REVOLUTIONARY SUBJECTIVITY 78 NOTES 86 3. The Density and Fragility of the World: Latour 92 DISPUTING THE MODERN 94 ACRITICAL 100 ACTS OF VIOLENCE 104 FORMS OF VIOLENCE 108 NOTES 114 4. Immeasurable Life: Negri 118 CONSTITUENT POWER 120 THE ART OF THE MULTITUDE 130 THE ONTOLOGICAL FABRIC OF EMPIRE 134 DOWNGRADING THE NEGATIVE 137 NOTES 140 5. On the Edge of the Negative: Badiou 146 HISTORICISING THE NEGATIVE 148 FORMALISING THE NEGATIVE 153 ACTIVE NIHILISM 159 THE SUBJECT OF COURAGE 161 THE LINE OF THE NEGATIVE 165 NOTES 169 Conclusion 174 I 174 II 177 III 179 IV 181 V 184 NOTES 186 'the Persistence Of The Negative' Offers An Original And Compelling Critique Of Contemporary Continental Theory Through A Rehabilitation Of The Negative. Benjamin Noys. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 176-193) And Index.