Theory of Strangers

Science of People, Democracy, Non-Psychoanalysis

François Laruelle author Jeremy R Smith translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Edinburgh University Press

Publishing:31st Jan '26

£100.00

This title is due to be published on 31st January, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Theory of Strangers cover

Originally published in 1995, this book constitutes a turning point in the development of what François Laruelle calls non-philosophy, towards its democratic and emancipatory vision. In this work, Laruelle utilises his non-philosophical theory to develop unified theoretical analyses into philosophy’s relationship with the humanities, politics and psychoanalysis. Centred on the figure of the Stranger, he argues for a democratic reformation of thought governed by human multitudes. The new field of thought is opened by this Universal Humanity, identified with three different pathways: a science of people and non-humanism, democracy and non-politics, and non-psychoanalysis as the development of a Universal Unconscious.

At last, this key text by Laruelle has been made available to English language readers in this fine translation by Jeremy R. Smith. We, the strangers of non-philosophy, will be forever in his debt. -- Jonathan Fardy, Idaho State University
A cornerstone for Laruelle’s non-standard philosophy, Theory of Strangers marks crucial interventions in current psychoanalysis, ethics, politics, and the human sciences. Jeremy R. Smith’s precise and knowledgeable translation brings Laruelle’s challenging and microscopically inventive text alive in English, giving new breath and spark to settled theory. -- Rocco Gangle, Endicott College

ISBN: 9781399549233

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

304 pages