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The Logic of Sense

The Logic of Sense

by Gilles Deleuze 1969 393 pages
4.28
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Key Takeaways

1. Sense is a Non-Existent Entity, Existing at the Surface

Sense is a nonexisting entity, and, in fact, maintains very special relations with nonsense.

Sense is not a thing. It's not a physical object, a mental state, or a concept. It's an incorporeal entity, a pure event that subsists or inheres, not exists. It's the "what is expressed" by a proposition, not the proposition itself.

Surface phenomenon. Sense isn't found in the depths of things or in the heights of ideas. It's a surface effect, like a mist rising from a prairie, a film without volume that envelops bodies. It's the boundary between things and propositions.

Paradoxical nature. Sense is inseparable from paradoxes because it's always both at once: future and past, active and passive, cause and effect. It's the affirmation of both senses or directions simultaneously, defying good sense and common sense.

2. The Stoics Discovered Surface Effects, and Language's Role

The Stoics discovered surface effects.

Two kinds of things. The Stoics distinguished between bodies (with their states of affairs) and incorporeal effects (events). Bodies exist in the present, while events subsist in the past and future, always eluding the present.

Incorporeal events. Events are not physical qualities but logical attributes, not things but results of actions and passions. They are impassive, sterile, and play out on the surface of being. Examples include "to grow," "to diminish," "to be cut."

Language and events. Language is essential to events, as events are expressed or expressible in propositions. The Stoics saw language as both establishing limits and transcending them, making paradoxes a tool for analyzing language and synthesizing events.

3. Propositions Have Four Dimensions: Denotation, Manifestation, Signification, and Sense

Sense is the fourth dimension of the proposition.

Three traditional dimensions. Propositions have three relations: denotation (relation to external states of affairs), manifestation (relation to the speaker's desires and beliefs), and signification (relation to universal concepts and implications).

Sense as the fourth dimension. Sense is not reducible to the other three. It's the "expressed" of the proposition, an incorporeal entity that inheres in the proposition but is also an attribute of the state of affairs. It's the boundary between propositions and things.

Sense is not signification. Signification is the condition of truth, but sense is the condition of signification. Signification is always a form of possibility, while sense is the ideational material or stratum that makes denotation and other dimensions possible.

4. Dualities Define Our World: Body/Language, Eat/Speak, Denotation/Expression

The duality in the proposition is not between two sorts of names . . . rather, it is between two dimensions of the proposition, that is, between denotation and expression.

Body and language. The duality of bodies and language is expressed as the alternative to eat or to speak. Eating represents the depth of bodies, their mixtures, and their actions, while speaking represents the surface, the incorporeal events.

Two kinds of words. There are two kinds of words: substantives and adjectives that denote states of affairs, and verbs that express events. Verbs are "prouder" because they carry becoming and its paradoxes.

Denotation and expression. The duality is also internal to the proposition, between denotation (relation to things) and expression (relation to sense). To pass to the other side of the mirror is to pass from denotation to expression, reaching a region where language relates only to sense.

5. Sense is Defined by Paradoxes: Regress, Division, Neutrality, Absurdity

Sense is both the expressible or the expressed of the proposition, and the attribute of the state of affairs.

Paradox of regress. Sense is always presupposed, yet it can always be taken as the object of another proposition, leading to an infinite regress. This shows both the impotence of the speaker and the power of language.

Paradox of sterile division. Sense, once extracted from the proposition, is independent of it, yet it's also its evanescent double. It suspends affirmation and negation, remaining neutral and sterile.

Paradox of neutrality. Sense is indifferent to the modes of the proposition (quality, quantity, relation, modality). It's the same for contradictory objects, for inverse relations, and for all modes of possibility.

Paradox of the absurd. Propositions that designate contradictory objects have a sense, even though their denotation cannot be fulfilled. Impossible objects are "extra-existents," outside of being, but with a precise position in this outside.

6. Serialization is Key: Heterogeneous Series Converge on a Paradoxical Element

The serial form is thus essentially multi-serial.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous series. A single series of names, for example, is homogeneous, but it subsumes two heterogeneous series: one of denotations and one of expressions. The serial form is always multi-serial.

Signifier and signified. In any two series, one is the signifier (presenting an aspect of sense) and the other is the signified (correlative to that aspect). Even when series appear homogeneous, one always plays the role of signifier.

Paradoxical element. Two series are always in disequilibrium, with one having an excess and the other a lack. They converge on a paradoxical element that circulates between them, ensuring their communication while making them diverge. This element is always displaced in relation to itself.

7. Esoteric Words Connect, Coordinate, and Ramify Series

The esoteric word in general refers at once to the empty square and to the occupant without place.

Three types of esoteric words. There are contracting words (synthesis of succession), circulating words (synthesis of coexistence), and portmanteau words (disjunctive synthesis).

Contracting words. These words contract syllabic elements of a proposition to extract its global sense (e.g., "y'reince" for "your royal highness"). They connect a single series.

Circulating words. These words coordinate two heterogeneous series, acting as a frontier between them (e.g., "Snark," "it," "thing"). They guarantee the conjunction of two series.

Portmanteau words. These words contract several words and senses, but their function is to ramify series by introducing disjunctions (e.g., "Jabberwocky"). They guarantee the disjunction of series.

8. Structure Requires Series, Singularities, and a Paradoxical Element

There is no structure without the empty square, which makes everything function.

Two heterogeneous series. A structure requires at least two series, one signifying and one signified. Each series is constituted by terms that exist only through their relations.

Singularities. Each series has singular points corresponding to the values of relations between terms. These singularities are ideal events that determine the terms of the other series.

Paradoxical element. The two series converge on a paradoxical element that circulates between them, always displaced in relation to itself. It's a two-sided entity, an empty place and an occupant without a place, ensuring communication and divergence.

9. Events are Ideal Singularities, Defined by Problems, Not Solutions

The mode of the event is the problematic.

Singularities and events. Events are ideal singularities, turning points, and points of inflection. They are pre-individual, non-personal, and a-conceptual, indifferent to all oppositions.

Problematic nature of events. Events are not solutions but problems. A problem is determined by the singular points that express its conditions. The event is problematic and problematizing.

Recreational mathematics. Mathematics can be used to problematize human events and to develop human events as conditions of a problem. Carroll's recreational mathematics explores this double aspect.

10. The Ideal Game is a Chaos-Cosmos, Played on the Surface of Time

This game is reserved then for thought and art.

Ordinary games. Ordinary games have pre-existing rules, distributing hypotheses, fixed distributions, and a clear winner or loser. They are partial and refer to other activities like labor or morality.

Ideal game. The ideal game has no pre-existing rules, affirms chance, has no numerically distinct throws, and no winner or loser. It's a game of thought and art, where chance is affirmed and ramified.

Two readings of time. Time is grasped in two ways: Chronos (the living present of bodies) and Aion (the infinitely divisible past and future of incorporeal events). The Aion is the time of the ideal game, a straight line where events are distributed.

11. Nonsense is the Co-Presence of Sense, Not Its Opposite

Paradox is initially that which destroys good sense as the only direction, but it is also that which destroys common sense as the assignation of fixed identities.

Nonsense as a double. Nonsense is not simply the absence of sense. It's a word that says its own sense, a word that is both word and thing, name and object, sense and denotatum. It's a co-presence of sense, not its opposite.

Two figures of nonsense. There are two figures of nonsense: one corresponding to infinite regress (a name saying its own sense) and one corresponding to sterile division (a portmanteau word forming an alternative).

Absurdity and nonsense. The absurd is that which is without signification, while nonsense is that which has no sense. Impossible objects are absurd, but they have a sense as "extra-existents."

12. Paradox Destroys Good Sense and Common Sense, Revealing the Surface

Paradox is initially that which destroys good sense as the only direction, but it is also that which destroys common sense as the assignation of fixed identities.

Good sense. Good sense affirms a single direction, from the most to the least differentiated. It's distributive, seeks to equalize differences, and is linked to the present and to prevision.

Common sense. Common sense is the faculty of identification, relating diversity to the unity of a subject or object. It's the basis of personal identity and the permanence of the world.

Paradox as a reversal. Paradox destroys both good sense and common sense. It affirms both directions at once, and it contests fixed identities. It reveals that everything happens at the surface, at the border between things and propositions.

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FAQ

What's The Logic of Sense about?

  • Exploration of Language and Sense: The Logic of Sense by Gilles Deleuze examines the intricate relationship between language, sense, and nonsense, focusing on how sense is produced and interacts with events.
  • Paradoxes and Events: The book uses paradoxes to illustrate the nature of sense as a non-existing entity linked to nonsense, drawing on examples from literature, especially Lewis Carroll's works.
  • Philosophical Framework: Deleuze contrasts Platonic and Stoic philosophies, emphasizing events and the surface's role in understanding sense, arguing that sense actively shapes reality.

Why should I read The Logic of Sense?

  • Innovative Philosophical Perspective: Deleuze offers a unique approach to understanding language and meaning, challenging traditional views and deepening comprehension of language's role in life.
  • Interdisciplinary Connections: The book connects philosophy, literature, and psychoanalysis, making it relevant for readers interested in multiple fields and encouraging critical thinking about language's implications.
  • Engagement with Classic Literature: By analyzing Lewis Carroll's works, Deleuze provides a fresh perspective on familiar texts, enhancing appreciation of literature and its philosophical underpinnings.

What are the key takeaways of The Logic of Sense?

  • Sense and Nonsense Relationship: Deleuze emphasizes that sense and nonsense coexist and inform each other, challenging the notion of sense as straightforward.
  • Dual Nature of Events: Events exist in both sense and nonsense realms, crucial for understanding meaning construction and perception.
  • Surface vs. Depth: Deleuze argues that sense is articulated at the surface, contrasting with the depths of bodies and actions, vital for grasping language dynamics.

What are the best quotes from The Logic of Sense and what do they mean?

  • "Sense is a nonexisting entity.": This highlights Deleuze's view that sense is fluid, produced through language and events, without a fixed existence.
  • "The paradox is the affirmation of both senses or directions at the same time.": This reflects the book's exploration of dualities, emphasizing that contradictions can coexist, challenging readers to embrace complexity.
  • "The surface is the locus of sense.": This underscores the importance of the surface in articulating sense, suggesting meaning is found in surface interactions, not depth.

How does Deleuze use Lewis Carroll's works in The Logic of Sense?

  • Illustrative Examples: Deleuze uses Carroll's narratives, especially Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, to illustrate philosophical concepts, with Carroll's language and paradoxes serving as a rich source.
  • Paradoxical Events: Carroll's characters and events exemplify the dual nature of sense and nonsense, with Alice's transformations highlighting identity and meaning fluidity.
  • Literary Framework: By framing arguments within Carroll's literature, Deleuze makes complex ideas more accessible, encouraging engagement with philosophy and literature.

How does Deleuze define the concept of 'event' in The Logic of Sense?

  • Central to Language: Deleuze defines the event as a "pure effect," distinct from actions and passions, foundational for understanding language.
  • Incorporeal Nature: Events are incorporeal, existing independently of physical states, allowing deeper exploration of their influence on thought and language.
  • Dynamic Genesis: Events are part of a dynamic genesis, connecting depth and surface, essential for understanding reality and language.

What is the significance of the concept of "double causality" in The Logic of Sense?

  • Understanding Sense Production: Double causality involves sense production through corporeal causes and incorporeal effects, essential for grasping meaning generation.
  • Implications for Events: Events are shaped by physical and abstract causes, enriching understanding of event perception.
  • Philosophical Depth: Double causality challenges traditional causal relationships, suggesting complex interplay between cause and effect, inviting reconsideration of meaning dynamics.

How does Deleuze differentiate between "sense" and "signification"?

  • Distinct Concepts: Sense is an incorporeal effect at the language surface, while signification relates to word meanings, crucial for understanding Deleuze's framework.
  • Role in Propositions: Sense is expressed by propositions, while signification pertains to meanings conveyed, allowing nuanced exploration of language function.
  • Implications for Understanding: Differentiating these concepts emphasizes language complexity, encouraging critical thinking about word interpretation and implications.

What is the significance of the clinamen in The Logic of Sense?

  • Epicurean Influence: The clinamen, or swerve, from Epicurean philosophy, represents unpredictable atom movement, illustrating chance and freedom in reality's structure.
  • Causality and Independence: The clinamen allows for a plurality of causes, challenging deterministic causality views, suggesting complex force interplay.
  • Thought and Movement: The clinamen metaphorically represents thought, indicating ideas' potential for unexpected shifts, reflecting Deleuze's dynamism theme.

How does Deleuze connect language and reality in The Logic of Sense?

  • Language as Construct: Language is a fundamental construct shaping reality perception, with events expressed through language, mediating understanding.
  • Surface Effects: Surface effects suggest meanings from language are superficial, challenging readers to look beyond surface meanings for deeper truths.
  • Philosophical Implications: Language-reality connection raises questions about truth and representation, encouraging reevaluation of language engagement in philosophy.

What role do paradoxes play in The Logic of Sense?

  • Central Theme: Paradoxes explore sense and meaning complexities, challenging conventional thinking and provoking deeper philosophical inquiry.
  • Illustrating Complexity: Paradoxes illustrate reality's multifaceted nature, suggesting embracing paradox leads to richer understanding.
  • Philosophical Method: Paradoxes reflect Deleuze's method, emphasizing fluidity and dynamism, encouraging open and exploratory idea engagement.

Review Summary

4.28 out of 5
Average of 500+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Logic of Sense is a challenging yet rewarding philosophical work that explores concepts of meaning, language, and reality. Deleuze uses Lewis Carroll's writings to illustrate his ideas on sense-making, paradox, and the nature of events. Readers found the book dense and complex, but many praised its creativity and insights. Some appreciated Deleuze's unique approach to metaphysics and semantics, while others struggled with the abstract concepts and psychoanalytic sections. Overall, the book is seen as an important contribution to poststructuralist thought, offering a fresh perspective on traditional philosophical problems.

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About the Author

Gilles Deleuze was a prominent French philosopher known for his poststructuralist and vitalist approach. His work focused on concepts like multiplicity, difference, and desire, departing from traditional Continental philosophy. Deleuze's metaphysics drew from Spinoza, emphasizing a plane of immanence where all existence is interconnected. He collaborated with Félix Guattari on influential texts like Anti-Oedipus. Deleuze's career began with studies of philosophers outside the mainstream, offering new interpretations of figures like Hume and Nietzsche. He engaged with various disciplines, including literature, cinema, and art, viewing philosophy as a creative endeavor that generates new concepts through intellectual encounters.

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