Philosophy at the Edge of Chaos: Gilles Deleuze and the Philosophy of Difference (Toronto Studies in Philosophy) (Paperback)

by Jeffrey A. Bell (Author)

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Product Description
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From the early 1960s until his death, French philosopher Gilles Deleuze (1925–1995) wrote many influential works on philosophy, literature, film, and fine art. One of Deleuze's main philosophical projects was a systematic inversion of the traditional relationship between identity and difference. This Deleuzian philosophy of difference is the subject of Jeffrey A. Bell’s Philosophy at the Edge of Chaos.

Bell argues that Deleuze’s efforts to develop a philosophy of difference are best understood by exploring both Deleuze’s claim to be a Spinozist, and Nietzsche’s claim to have found in Spinoza an important precursor. Beginning with an analysis of these claims, Bell shows how Deleuze extends and transforms concepts at work in Spinoza and Nietzsche to produce a philosophy of difference that promotes and, in fact, exemplifies the notions of dynamic systems and complexity theory. With these concepts at work, Deleuze constructs a philosophical approach that avoids many of the difficulties that linger in other attempts to think about difference. Bell uses close readings of Plato, Aristotle, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida, and Whitehead to illustrate how Deleuze’s philosophy is successful in this regard and to demonstrate the importance of the historical tradition for Deleuze. Far from being a philosopher who turns his back on what is taken to be a mistaken metaphysical tradition, Bell argues that Deleuze is best understood as a thinker who endeavoured to continue the work of traditional metaphysics and philosophy.

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About the Author
~Jeffrey A. Bell is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University. ~

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press (November 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802094090
• ISBN-13: 978-0802094094
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #873,827 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly recommended as a core contribution to scholarship and academic library Philosophy Studies collections., December 8, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

"Philosophy At The Edge Of Chaos: Gilles Deleuze And the Philosophy Of Difference" by Jeffrey A. Bell provides students of philosophy with fascinating insights and perspectives on the work of Spinoza, Aristotle, Whitehead, Derrida, and Deleuze. A work of impeccable scholarship, "Philosophy At The Edge Of Chaos" is divided into two major sections: `Thinking Difference' and `Rethinking System". Bell fundamentally addresses systematic thinking and what is described as the `Philosophy of difference". Of special interest is the chapter dedicated to `Thinking Difference: Heidegger and Deleuze on Aristotle', as well as Bell's thoughtful and compelling conclusions at the end of this extended treatise. Enhanced with extensive notations, an impressive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Philosophy At The Edge Of Chaos" is also available in a hardcover editionand is strongly recommended as a core contribution to scholarship and academic library Philosophy Studies collections.