Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 15:26:23 -0500
Subject: Re: Leibniz


Friends of Bourdieu, 

The question was, what is the connection between the thought of Leibniz
and that of Bourdieu?

This is not a quantitative question, nor does it assume that one was the
student of the other, nor that a distilled, philosophy-by-the-numbers
answer is possible.

It seems to me after some reflection to be a quite difficult question,
even profound.  Simon, you referred to Bourdieu's study of Leibniz--can
you share with us some of your specific insights on this connection?  In
any case, your reference suggests that there might be some connection. 
You have not even begun to show that the question is meaningless, if
that was your intent.

Both used the word "habitus": how are they connected, if at all, through
the use of this rare word?

Is there another connection through what we might call their shared
interest in "relational" thinking--focusing on relations or connections
as constitutive?

The question is all the more provocative given the paragraph from Le
Monde that begins: "C'est surtout par rapport aux philosophes que Pierre
Bourdieu ... a voulu se situer."


Bill Hord
hord_b-AT-hccs.cc.tx.us

"The worst thing about being a clone 
is having no one to blame but myself." 
(Benita Epstein)
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