I'm not too far past LeFevre's introduction, but the second chapter has really riveted me. If last week showed that the social isn't an entity in itself, but may be seen that way for the sake of the shift from an individualistic paradigm to one based on intersubjectivity, LeFevre's second chapter shows why the individual has been seen as a sacred entity.
In chapter 2, she details Plato's conception of invention, as an individual (wonderfully discussed in class already) recalling, through introspection, a Reality dwelt in by the soul, wonderfully illustrates why the social feels so foreign to invention. The Romantic myth of the inspired writer springs from that Platonic view, and our invention techniques remain focused that way. Expressivist theorists have adapted that Romantic view to the idea that writers working individually can recover an authentic language of childhood. The social, in this model, becomes a convenient way to cluster individuals, who will compose by transcribing the voices of their innermost selves. Society can inhibit invention, just as much as aid it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Right on. I also like the explanation about the relationship between Platonic invention and capitalism. The assumption is that what we discover/invent comes from inside us as individuals, so that we are therefore exclusively entitled to the fruits of that "discovery". It's the logic behind the patent office and the copyright. It's interesting to juxtapose that idea with some Marx, who promoted the adage "From each according to [their] abilities to each according to [their] needs." It makes all that much more sense that others should share the benefits of an invention when you take the social turn and realize that in many ways, others had a role in the discovery/invention.
It is an interesting juxtaposition, and your saying that reminds me that I want to read more Marxist theory, because I really don't know how influential it is on what we're reading, but it really ties in. I was reading LeFevre last night, and realizing that the social ideas she's putting forth tie in with the tiny bit that I know of socialism.
Post a Comment