Towards a Geopolitical Image of Thought

Gregg Lambert offers a new geo-political image of thought that accommodates the globalisation of contemporary continental philosophy, drawing from his previous work on the search for a new image of thought and the vitalist role of conceptual personae.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Drawing from his extensive previous writings on the quest for a new image of thought and the vitalist role of conceptual personae in the history of philosophy, Gregg Lambert presents a groundbreaking geo-political image of thought that seamlessly aligns with the globalized landscape of contemporary continental philosophy. This innovative perspective offers a fresh and transformative understanding of the world, one that challenges traditional notions of power, identity, and the relationship between the individual and the collective.

Lambert begins by exploring the historical roots of the concept of the person, tracing its evolution from ancient Greek philosophy to the modern age. He argues that the notion of the person has been shaped by a series of cultural, social, and political factors, including the rise of capitalism, the Enlightenment, and the emergence of nationalism. In this context, Lambert proposes a new geo-political image of thought that seeks to transcend the boundaries of traditional geopolitical thinking.

According to Lambert, the traditional image of thought is rooted in the Cartesian dualism of mind and body, which divides the world into two distinct realms: the material world of matter and energy and the immaterial world of ideas and consciousness. This dualistic framework, he argues, is inadequate for understanding the complex and interconnected nature of the modern world. Instead, Lambert proposes a geo-political image of thought that recognizes the interdependence of all things, both material and immaterial.

This geo-political image of thought is characterized by a number of key features. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of the global network of cities and states as the primary unit of analysis. Lambert argues that the global network of cities and states is the most significant social and political entity in the modern world, and that it is shaped by a series of complex interrelationships between different cultures, economies, and political systems.

Secondly, the geo-political image of thought emphasizes the importance of the concept of the "imaginary." Lambert argues that the imaginary is a vital component of the modern world, as it is the realm in which ideas, beliefs, and values are created and transmitted. He suggests that the imaginary is shaped by a series of cultural and technological forces, including the media, the internet, and the entertainment industry.

Thirdly, the geo-political image of thought emphasizes the importance of the concept of the "subject." Lambert argues that the subject is not a fixed entity, but rather a dynamic and fluid construct that is shaped by a series of social and political forces. He suggests that the subject is not only shaped by the global network of cities and states, but also by the individual's own experiences, beliefs, and values.

Finally, the geo-political image of thought emphasizes the importance of the concept of the "other." Lambert argues that the other is not a fixed entity, but rather a dynamic and fluid construct that is shaped by a series of social and political forces. He suggests that the other is not only shaped by the global network of cities and states, but also by the individual's own experiences, beliefs, and values.

In conclusion, Gregg Lambert's geo-political image of thought offers a fresh and transformative understanding of the world, one that challenges traditional notions of power, identity, and the relationship between the individual and the collective. By recognizing the interdependence of all things, both material and immaterial, and by emphasizing the importance of the global network of cities and states, the imaginary, the subject, and the other, Lambert proposes a new geo-political framework that is capable of addressing the complex and interconnected challenges of the modern world.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 138 x 215 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474482943