To celebrate the publication of the English language translation of Daniel Colson’s A Little Philosophical Lexicon of Anarchism from Proudhon to Deleuze, we are bringing you a series of articles that respond to this ‘provocative exploration of hidden affinities and genealogies in anarchist thought’.
The first is by Teresa Xavier Fernandes, who, in response to Colson’s identification of anarchism as a ‘radical critique of representation’, unpacks Nietzsche’s conception of representation as a ‘lie’. In her Nietzschean typology of ‘liars’ Fernandes identifies the anarchist as a ‘faker’ who reminds us that representation is a trap.
The Concept of Representation: Is This a Trap?
The second in the series is by Iwona Janicka, who picks up on Colson’s reference to Gabriel Tarde to discuss the role of imitation in shaping behaviour. She points to the inherently mimetic aspects of anarchism, as exemplified in anarchist housing co-operatives and other intentional communities.
Gabriel Tarde and the Anarchist Contagion
In the third article, Nathan Jun discusses Colson’s consideration of the term ‘anarchism’ itself. Colson argues that the contemporary drive to taxonomically classify ‘anarchism’ negates the ‘infinity of manners’ which the anarchist project ought to encompass. Jun, however, points to the potential for meaninglessness in leaving the term completely open.
A Few Thoughts on Colson’s Lexicon
In the final instalment, Roger Farr offers ‘affinity’ as a path to follow between the Lexicon’s terms, and ruminates on Colson’s own use of the term ‘affinity’ as a potential first step.
The Affinity for Affinity, Or How to Read the Petite Lexicon
[A Little Philosophical Lexicon of Anarchism from Proudhon to Deleuze is translated by Jesse Cohn, and published by Minor Compositions (on release to the book trade in April 2019). PDF available freely online: http://www.minorcompositions.info/?p=902]