TY - JOUR

T1 - Form and Relation

T2 - Materialism on an Uncanny Stage

AU - Hui, Yuk

N1 - Titel d. Heftes: Philosophy of the Web and Knowledge Engineering. Zugl. Nr. 2014/1

PY - 2014/1

Y1 - 2014/1

N2 - This article seeks a materialism that is largely ignored in current philosophical discussion, which originates from speculation on the materiality of forms. Following the critique of Simondon and Heidegger, this article rejects hylomorphism which gives substantiality to forms rather than matter; at the same time, this proposition also wants to distinguish itself from the current proposals of a return to matter, such as the vibrant matter of Jane Bennett or the principle of factuality of Quentin Meillassoux, by outlining a genealogy of the material conditions for the individuation of forms. The article endeavours to understand the evolution of the concept of form in different stages of technological development: crafts, machines, technological systems exemplified by the web. The article suggests that the materiality of form is not only thinkable, but also necessary for the development of a speculative metaphysics and critical theory of machines.

AB - This article seeks a materialism that is largely ignored in current philosophical discussion, which originates from speculation on the materiality of forms. Following the critique of Simondon and Heidegger, this article rejects hylomorphism which gives substantiality to forms rather than matter; at the same time, this proposition also wants to distinguish itself from the current proposals of a return to matter, such as the vibrant matter of Jane Bennett or the principle of factuality of Quentin Meillassoux, by outlining a genealogy of the material conditions for the individuation of forms. The article endeavours to understand the evolution of the concept of form in different stages of technological development: crafts, machines, technological systems exemplified by the web. The article suggests that the materiality of form is not only thinkable, but also necessary for the development of a speculative metaphysics and critical theory of machines.

KW - Digital media

KW - Simondon

KW - Heidegger

KW - materialism

KW - digital objects

KW - forms

U2 - 10.3406/intel.2014.1040

DO - 10.3406/intel.2014.1040

M3 - Journal articles

SP - 105

EP - 121

JO - Intellectica

JF - Intellectica

SN - 0769-4113

IS - 61

ER -