Philosophical Abstraction Pgs 67-71

Question 1

What does Althusser argue about the nature of abstraction in human experience?

Answer 1

Abstraction is inherent in human experience; people are “condemned to using abstraction” to know and appropriate the concrete

Question 2

How do different forms of abstraction vary according to Althusser?

Answer 2

The “quality” and “look” of abstraction depend on context, including language, practical knowledge, scientific knowledge, and ideology.

Question 3

What is the totalizing nature of philosophical abstraction?

Answer 3

Philosophical abstraction seeks to explain the “whole” of existence, unlike scientific abstraction, which focuses on specific objects of study.

Question 3

What does Althusser mean by “supplements” in philosophical abstraction?

Answer 3

Supplements are non-existent concepts necessary for theoretical frameworks, such as the void (Democritus), nothingness (Plato, Hegel), the thing-in-itself (Kant), and God.

Question 4

How are philosophical and ideological abstraction related according to Althusser?

Answer 4

Both share a totalizing approach and rely on imaginary entities to explain the entirety of existence.

Question 5

What is one important quote about the difference between philosophical and practical abstraction?

Answer 5

“Philosophical abstraction manifestly does not resemble practical abstraction…it claims to hold good for every being in the world, for the ‘totality’ of beings.”

Question 6

What paradox does Althusser identify in philosophical abstraction?

Answer 6

Philosophy needs imaginary “supplements” to think the whole, but these supplements do not exist.

Question 7

What does Althusser say about the relationship between philosophy and God?

Answer 7

Philosophy needs God to justify its claim to being infinite.

Question 8

How does Althusser compare philosophical abstraction to dominant ideology?

Answer 8

Both are totalizing; they aim to account for everything and convey Truth and Meaning.

Question 9

What are the implications of Althusser’s analysis of philosophical abstraction?

Answer 9

It warns of the dangers of totalizing tendencies and suggests a critical re-evaluation of idealist philosophy’s claims and methods.

Question 10

How does philosophical abstraction differ from practical abstraction?

Answer 10

Philosophical abstraction seeks to encompass all beings, both real and possible, making sweeping claims about the totality of existence. In contrast, practical abstraction is limited to observed cases and focuses on concrete experiences.

Question 11

What does Althusser mean by “idealist philosophy’s ‘totalizing’ ambition”?

Answer 11

Althusser refers to the ambition of idealist philosophy to explain the “whole” of existence, including all beings and their conditions of possibility. This totalizing ambition aims to provide a complete and absolute understanding of reality.

Question 12

Explain the role of “non-existent” elements in idealist philosophies. Provide an example.

Answer 12

Non-existent elements are incorporated into idealist philosophies to support their totalizing claims, even though they do not exist in the empirical world. Examples include the void in Democritus and nothingness in Sartre, which are crucial for explaining real things.

Question 13

Why does Althusser argue that scientific abstraction is “universal” but not “totalizing”?

Answer 13

Scientific abstraction is considered “universal” because its propositions apply to all objects conforming to specific concepts. However, it is not “totalizing” because it focuses on limited objects of study and does not attempt to explain the entirety of existence.

Question 13

Describe the “temptation of the infinite” that some scientists face.

Answer 13

The “temptation of the infinite” refers to the tendency of some scientists to view their finite discoveries as keys to explaining the entire universe. This temptation often leads to blurring the boundaries between scientific inquiry and philosophical speculation.

Question 14

What function does the concept of “God” serve in idealist philosophies, according to Althusser?

Answer 14

According to Althusser, the concept of “God” functions as a justification for the totalizing ambitions of idealist philosophy. By invoking an infinite being, philosophers ground their claims to possess infinite knowledge and understanding.

Question 15

How does Althusser connect the concept of “God” to the notion of the “supplement”?

Answer 15

Althusser connects “God” to the “supplement” by arguing that both are non-existent elements necessary for idealist philosophies to maintain their totalizing claims. They provide a foundation for explaining existence while remaining outside empirical verification.

Question 16

Explain the shared characteristic of “totalization” in both idealist philosophy and ideology.

Answer 16

Both idealist philosophy and ideology aim to provide complete and absolute accounts of reality. This totalization encompasses all aspects of existence, offering definitive explanations for meaning and purpose.

Question 17

What is the significance of the “imaginary beings” found in both ideology and idealist philosophy?

Answer 17

Imaginary beings serve to uphold the totalizing claims of ideology and idealist philosophy by providing ultimate explanations and grounding their authority. They are not limited by finite existence.

Question 18

What does Althusser suggest we should “give up” in light of his analysis of abstraction?

Answer 18

Althusser suggests we should give up the illusion of the “state of nature,” the idea that we can access a pure, unmediated reality. He argues that we always engage with reality through abstractions, which is essential for critically analyzing philosophical and ideological frameworks.