Laclau Notes: Session 5

Immanence Revisited, Figures, General Strike

1. Immanence

     Theories of immanence are tied to secularization.  Spinoza’s formula shows the interchangeability of God and Nature as concepts.  According to Spinoza, God or Nature is causa sui ‘cause of itself’–this is the only “substance,” all else is the product of external causation.  These theories seem to deny contingency, they hold that existence is necessary.  This type of theory is in opposition to the theories of transcendence.  These theories posit a transcendent origin of the world, some external and greater force which set the world in shape and motion.  Theories of transcendence come in two forms; theistic theories assert that God constantly intervenes in the world, deistic theories hold that God only intervened in the world at its origin.  Deism is traditionally associated with immanence, the big bang theory is an example of a deistic theory of immanence, the universe unfolded itself, disseminated itself into matter.   Though these viewpoints may have developed in theology, they can be seen in general culture, particularly in presuppositions about the nature of truth. 

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