Out of This World

A controversial critique of an iconic philosopher.

Gilles Deleuze was one of the most influential French philosophers of the last century. Michel Foucault famously suggested that the 20th century would be known as "Deleuzian." His powerful philosophy of desire, difference and "nomadic thought" seemed to hack away at all previous hierarchies in political and philosophical thought, opening a space for radical democratic transformation. Thinkers such as Jameson, Badiou and Negri all acknowledge his work as a profound influence.

Peter Hallward's new book challenges the hegemony of Deleuze's work, aiming to go right to the heart of his philosophy. It engages with the central idea that informs virtually all his work: the assertion of an unlimited creative power. Exploring the ways in which Deleuze dissolves anything that might inhibit the expression of this creativity, Hallward accuses Deleuze of being a spiritual and "other-worldly" philosopher, rather than a theorist of material complexity and difference. Hallward argues that the problems of conflict and solidarity are effectively dismissed in Deleuze's workas is the possibility of any political transformation.

This powerful and thorough critique shows once and for all that the Deleuzian century is over. If we want to change the future we need to look elsewhere.