Event{u}al Disruptions: Postmodern Theory and Alain Badiou

Authors

  • Sebastian Huber

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5283/copas.54

Abstract

This (rather theoretical) paper juxtaposes three ‘postmodern’ tendencies (epistemology, monocentrism and its idea of events) with Alain Badiou’s ontological approach that implies multiple multiplicities and the singular event. By referring to the work of Jacques Derrida, Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, as well as Gilles Deleuze, I seek to offer an insight into postmodern (Literary and Cultural) theory’s attachment to certain beliefs that pose problems to movements of resistance, as well as conceptualizations of anything ‘new.’ By introducing Alain Badiou’s thoughts on postmodern theory as well as his divergence from this path, I illuminate his potential for critical analyses in American Studies to come.  

Author Biography

Sebastian Huber

Sebastian Huber studied English Literature, American Literature and Philosophy at Ludwig Maximilians University. Since 2010 he is pursuing a PhD degree, proposing the concept of reagency in contemporary American fiction. At the end of 2011, he was accepted as a member of the PhDprogram Prolit of the LMU. In his M.A. Thesis, he dealt with Thomas Pynchon's Against the Dayand the notion of spatial metafiction. Moreover, he has written an encyclopedia entry on Thomas Pynchon’s The Crying of Lot 49, published on the spatial motives in the TV series Lost,as well as on the aesthetic foundations for the video game.

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Published

2012-05-13

How to Cite

Huber, Sebastian. “Event{u}al Disruptions: Postmodern Theory and Alain Badiou”. Current Objectives of Postgraduate American Studies, vol. 13, May 2012, doi:10.5283/copas.54.

Issue

Vol. 13 (2012)

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.