Gilbert Simondon's Psychic and Collective Individuation - (Critical Introductions and Guides) by David Scott (Paperback)

About the Book

The first full introduction to Simondon's seminal work. A chapter-by-chapter commentary takes you through the text of Psychic and Collective Individuation, clarifying its complex terminology and structure.

Book Synopsis

One of the most innovative and brilliant philosophers of his generation, but largely neglected until he was brought to public attention by Gilles Deleuze, Gilbert Simondon presents a challenge to nearly every category and method of traditional philosophy. 'Psychic and Collective Individuation' is undoubtedly his most important work and its influence, clearly felt in Stiegler and DeLanda, has continued to grow. David Scott provides the first full introduction to this work, which will inspire as well as instruct philosophers working in Continental thought, philosophy of science, social theory and political philosophy. He introduces Simondon's challenging text by clarifying its complex terminology and structure through a chapter-by-chapter commentary. By placing Simondon and the book in their historical context, Scott invites a dialogue with thinkers including Bergson, Deleuze, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Negri, and explains Simondon's relevance to current discussions about biopolitics and post-Nietzschean ethics.

From the Back Cover

Two endorsements due The first critical commentary on Simondon's seminal work, unpacking its rich potential for students and scholars One of the most innovative and brilliant philosophers of his generation, but largely neglected until he was brought to public attention by Gilles Deleuze, Gilbert Simondon presents a challenge to nearly every category and method of traditional philosophy. Psychic and Collective Individuation is undoubtedly Simondon's most important work and its influence, clearly felt in Stiegler and DeLanda, has continued to grow. David Scott provides the first full introduction to this work, which will inspire as well as instruct philosophers working in Continental thought, philosophy of science, social theory and political philosophy. Key Features: - Introduces Simondon's challenging text by clarifying its complex terminology and structure through a chapter-by-chapter commentary - Invites a dialogue with other thinkers including Bergson, Deleuze, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Negri - Places Simondon and Psychic and Collective Individuation in their historical context - Explains Simondon's relevance to current discussions about biopolitics and post-Nietzschean ethics David Scott is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Coppin State University

Review Quotes

The English-speaking public is still waiting for a full translation of [Gilbert Simondon's] Psychic and Collective Individuation (L'individuation psychique et collective). As a foretaste, however, Edinburgh University Press has published David Scott's book, which serves as an introduction and a guide, providing a chapter-by-chapter commentary on Simondon's important work. As Scott follows the structure of Simondon's work very closely, this book will be useful for a parallel reading with Psychic and Collective Individuation ... Scott positions Simondon well in his intellectual and historical context, including a description of his philosophical trajectories ... At the end of the book, Scott suggests possible topics for further research, which could also be very useful for advanced students looking for possible lines of convergence in their research.

--Iwona Janicka, University of Cambridge "Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "

About the Author

David Scott is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Coppin State University, Baltimore. He has translated work by Simondon, Gaston Bachelard and Gilles Deleuze and has numerous articles published in journals including Angelaki, The European Legacy, Continental Philosophy Review and Chiasmi.