Theory Sessions
Upcoming:
Tanner Layton on
Philosophy as Unselfing: On Living Other-wise
Wednesday, March 26 @ 4:30p.m.
Stevenson Hall Rm. 3165
https://westernuniversity.zoom.us/j/93370059005
Meeting ID: 933 7005 9005
Hailing from Lethbridge Alberta, home of a new Cavendish food processing plant as of 2019, Tanner Layton considered a career in the potato industry before finding his true calling and home in the Frankfurt School. People at the Centre often refer to him as Ted Williams, in light of the fact that he has been batting 0.400 as of late. On top of a recently successful Senate campaign, Tanner passed his comps, WITH distinction. A true comrade, Tanner led the PSAC charge last spring, facing down the formidable Western administration. In his free time, he often is found picking apples, in support of local agriculture.
Abstract: The question of the future of philosophy presupposes several other questions. Following the impulse of many other thinkers, my work addresses one of them, namely, what is philosophy?, as a way of critiquing “academic philosophy” and conceptualizing the pivotal role that it can play in subjective transformation. To do this, I consider two circularly related questions: (1) what does philosophy provide the conditions for? and (2) what provides the conditions for philosophy? By situating these questions in relation to contemporary academic realities, particularly the political, economic, axiological, and spiritual attack on the arts and humanities, I attempt to make sense of the uneasy relationship between “philosophy” and “academic philosophy.”
Taking Alain Badiou’s cue that even advanced philosophy students often do not “encounter philosophy” in their tenure in Philosophy departments, I will argue that the dominant modes of subjectivity promulgated by the neoliberal university, while tending to preclude such an encounter, also make it possible as a form of refusal. These dominant modes of subjectivity are characterized not only by the instrumentalization of postsecondary education, but also by normative pressures of self-discovery and self-fashioning; it is an atmosphere, to adapt Iris Murdoch’s words, that nurtures “the anxious avaricious tenacles of the self.” In such a context, returning to Murdoch is essential in confronting the question of the future of philosophy; for her, nature is “an occasion for unselfing”: we “give attention to nature to clear our minds of selfish care.” Drawing on her intellectual predecessor, Simone Weil, she contends that unselfing encounters, and attends to, otherness. But this is precisely the encounter that we, students shaped by the university’s hymns of self-concern, miss: the otherness of nature, the otherness of the Other, and the otherness at the very heart of ourselves. Thus, I put Badiou in dialogue with Murdoch to develop the claim that the future of philosophy hinges on the experience of unselfing, and the pursuit of its consequences, by exploring how the resources of the tradition, grounded in philosophy as a way of life, provide the conditions to live other-wise—both inside and outside the Zoom rooms and hallways of the neoliberal university.
Contact theorysessions@groups.uwo.ca for info.
Theory Sessions are a student-run tradition at the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism. It promotes interdisciplinary research across the campus, providing students and faculty with the opportunity to present their work and engage in lively discussions. We welcome all topics and enjoy presenting an eclectic range of scholarship. We have held sessions from scholars in a wide range of disciplines such as computer science, medical science, philosophy, English literature, women’s studies, sociology, political science, visual arts, art history, psychology, history, and more.
The presentations are 20 minutes long. Following the presentation, at least one designated respondent will initiate a discussion with the presenter. Anyone attending the session is welcome to join this discussion period. These will typically last 20-30 minutes.
Theory Sessions facilitates an academically rigorous environment to present cohesive and cogent thoughts on subjects that our speakers are genuinely passionate about. Our sessions aim to bring forward meaningful and productive discussions, and provide a rich opportunity to develop papers for publication, prepare for conferences, and develop performance art or presentation skills. We encourage you to have fun and experiment in our community of curious and caring thinkers.
Who can do Theory Sessions?
Students and faculty in the Theory Centre are given priority for sessions, however, we encourage scholars from other departments to send us your work. We will make every effort to accommodate as many sessions as possible.
If you are interested in presenting, please send an email with an abstract of approximately 200 words, and a brief 100 word bio to theorysessions@groups.uwo.ca. Your abstract and bio will be used to announce your session to the university community.
