Deleuze’s left-wing approach to metaphysics

Abstract

This essay addresses Gilles Deleuze’s view on which criterion is to be adopted when dealing with disputes in metaphysics and metametaphysics, while answering on Deleuze’s behalf to the objection widely shared among analytic philosophers that he has no criterion to approach such disputes. It is argued that an alternative criterion to address disputes in metaphysics and metametaphysics can be drawn out of Deleuze’s works: namely, accordance with a left-wing practice of politicization. This practice is characterized by its champions’ tendency to privilege their power to show empathy toward others, and by their aim to bring to light the political character of apparently and/or allegedly apolitical approaches to the aforementioned disputes, such as the approaches of analytic philosophers themselves.