Essex Lectures in Philosophy 2022 Lecture III: Aesthetics of Existence and the New Spirit of Capitalism

The School of Philosophy and Art History hold the Essex Lectures in Philosophy each year. The May 2022 lectures are titled 'The Art of Second Nature'

Lecture III: Aesthetics of Existence and the New Spirit of Capitalism

Contemporary society seems to ask us to constantly renew and re-invent the practices we are involved in and to engage in an ongoing process of self-creation and self-transformation. This general demand which seems in line with the idea of an “art” of second nature, has clearly proven to be problematic, despite the promise of liberation that was once associated with it. The third lecture will elaborate the extent to which the aesthetic notion of second nature can help us understand not only the promise but also the problems, pathologies, and aporias of the aesthetic dispositif. We will explore the ways in which the aesthetic of existence is perverted through becoming the vehicle of a new economic regime. I will defend the notion that the art of second nature still possesses critical resources, even with regard to these forms of “self-actualization” that understand themselves as aesthetic.

Each lecture is one hour, followed by a 45-minute Q&A session.

If you would like to join this lecture, either in person or via Zoom, please email spahpg@essex.ac.uk to register.