I cannot be the particular individual I am without particular others (parents, teachers, friends, etc.). The others might have been other others (different parents, e.g.) but then I would be a different particular individual.

But I cannot be an individual at all without being a particular individual.

So, I cannot be particular without others.

There is no irreducibility without relation.

But of course, there is no relation without irreducible difference either. If I am not other than others, I am the same, and only self-related.

My irreducible uniqueness and my relations are not two things that need to be “balanced” on each side of a fulcrum. They constitute and define each other, and neither makes sense without the other.

Articles by Peter J. Leithart

Loading...