ranatc by \rtnc rarry

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CI JCLI | IO=) c^IIL I^IY
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5tanlord Inivcrsity Ircss
5tanlord, alilornia
Lnglish translation ' zoo,by thc oard ol Jrustccs ol thc
Lcland 5tanlord junior Inivcrsity. ^ll rights rcscrvcd.
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^ssistancc lor thc translation was providcd by thc
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nz|,o.,6|r|;i, zoo,
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Criginal Irinting zoo,
Last hgurc bclow indicatcs ycar ol this printing:
i| i, :z :: io o, o8 o;
Jypcsct by |amcs ! rommcr
in io.,/:,Caramond and Lithos display
\Ontcnts
Fssasd
Ians//sPscs
Wen outeyestouch

Sigingaaestion-omHristo/e
T 1` ^ 1^
3
1 lsyche
Hroandhe aithsachexactandcrae/knoa/edge"
3
z Spacings
IheIncommensara//e, S,ncoe, andvrds Beginning
aith x- '
3 )
1his lsMyody
PointsH/read,Coanteroint,MoarningPsche,andthe
Hando . .
3 | 1hentouchable,ottheow olAbsnence
IheExor/itant,-Iact /ondtheossi//e"-Stroking,
Striking, Ihinking, vighing:MoarningErosandthe
OtherHando. . .
3
1endet
IhisIs M, Heart, heheartoanother"
3
NothingtoDoinSight. 1hete'sno the'sense
oltouch
Hatics, echns,orBod,Ecotechnics
12
21
11
zL

_z
111
N111 Csn/sn/s
1T ` .J1T` ^^

1^
'
3 1angentl
HandoMan,HandoCod
3
? 1angentl l
'Torexam/e, m,hand'Ihehanditseq''or
exam/e, thenger''Torexam/e, 1 e/m,heart'"
3
, 1angentlll
IheExor/itant,2, Csta//itionotheimossi//e'
'T/esh,"and,again, 'Torexam/e, m, hand"
3 o 1angentl
IangenandContingenc :. Ihe qaestionotechnics"
andtheaorias"oF/esh, (contact, at/ottom "
;
,

3
11 1angent
IangenandContingenc,, 2. Ihe'merc/handothe
Fathe
,
aithahichhethastoachesas, istheSon the
vrdthatis 'thetoach thattoachestheSoa/(toqaede/a
Dicinidad . e/toqaeqaetocaa/a/ma "
1T ` 1T^`

T `
3
1osell-touchyou
Ioaching-LangaageandtheHeart
3
; Andtoyou. 1helncalculable
Exactitade, Panctaa/itPanctaation

Sa/s
|ntimePostscrit,rntoaFina/Retoach
Sa/a/toyou,sa/a/totheb|indwebecome
}eanLacNan
Ns/ss
IndsxsNamss
)
oo
;
!OrcWOrd
1heh tstvetsionolthisessaywaswtittenin,,z. leggyKamulttans-
lateditintonglish,andhetttanslationwaspublishedthelollowingyeat
inPaaah,whichhaddedicatedaspecialissuetoean-LucNancyatthe
time. 1his intetnationalttibutecleatlyshowedonce againthatthemea-
suteolanideaisoentaken,htstandlast,abtoad, inloteign countties.
Whatl wtotethenstandsasa modest, pattial, andptovisionalintto-
duction toNancyswotk. ltwasmyintentionto developitotputsueit
elsewhetewhenthetighttimecame.lhavecettainlynotgivenuponthat,
manynewdevelopments ate the matkolthis. ut l must admitthat l
havehadtolollowthemotils, atleast, olmyhtst attempts, as latas the
topicalheatt olthemattetisconcetned.
Whilethechoiceoltheguidingthtead,andespeciallyoltheotiginalti-
tle-c/sachs-seeetoimposeitsell,itnevetceasedtowottyme.ln
thegtammaticallotmoltheltenchphtaseanditsindecision-between
thenoun /sachsandvetb/sachs,thedehniteatticle/sandpetsonalpto-
nounc-itiseasytotecognizetwoindissociablegestutes.iloneanalyzed
thewayinwhichagteatphilosophettteated touch, howhehandledthis
ptoloundquestionolthesensethatisappatentlythemostsupethcial,the
questionolthevetysutlace itsell, touching,wasitnot necessatyalso to
touchhim,andthustouchsomeone,addtessoneselltohimsinga/q,touch
someoneinhim,asttangetpethapsNevettothisdegteehavel lelthow
enigmatic, howttoublingidiomsateintheitnecessity, inexptessionssuch
as touchtotheheatt, touchtheheatt,whethettheitvalueisptopetly
litetalothgutative,otsometimesboth,beyondalldecidability.
Howevet, by thusptivilegingonepetspective,letuseven say onessnss,
7
x Fssasd
oneolthesenses, don'twe undettaketochoose,tounlaitlyleavein the
shadows evetythingexcludedbythat one sense,indeed,bythesensesin
genetal,inandolthemselvesDon'twetisklosingsightolthemeasuteol
thewotkweateclaimingtoopenup
1hetiskisallthegteatetinthatthis topicalvein,batelyvisibleathtst,
pethapshidden untilthen,has since been Nancy's to mine, andhehas
ceaselesslybeenexpandingtheteacholitsinhuence,incteasingthewealth
olitssttatihcations,andthusconhtmingitstesoutces-atthetisk,tome)
olventutingwiththistowatdtheunptedictable,otlosingittheteNancy's
Lsssnsda msnds, IhsSsnsss/hs vsd) , lot example, tstpublished
shottlyaetwatddutingthesameyeat,,,z, alteadybotewitnesstothat,
and1ouchet ,1ouching) becamethetitleoloneolitschaptets. No
luckyvein, then.whatlhadptoposedtiskedappeatingnotonlydated,it
undeniablyandputposelyis) butalsoincteasinglyde cient,lalteting,ot
obsolete.
nabletodaytottanslotmthecenttaltopicolthisessayandmakeitless
unwotthyolNancysthought, andpatticulatlyolthepowetlul books he
haspublisheddutingthepastlewyeats, lhavecontentedmysellhetewith
changesinthelotmolthetext, intetpolatedpassages-someolthemad-
mittedlylongones-andnotesaddedtettospectively.
1he age olthis text isthusmultlold. lt sometimesskipssevetalyeats
ltomonesentencetothenext.Andso, togethetwiththeteadet, l could
haveplayedatcolotinginthesttataolanatchive.
1o admitthesetisksandacceptthemwithoutshameisnotenough, ol
coutse, tocontainthem.
ln spite olall these shottcomings, ilthis attempt at intetptetation,
amongsomanyothetpossibleones,atleastpetsuadesothetstoteadone
oltheimmensephilosophicwotksolouttime,thispublicationwillnot
havebeenaltogethetunjustihed.
acquesDettida
rans!atOrs rcIacc
1wodaysaltetacquesDettidadied,whilethisbookwasinptoduction,
ean-LucNancypublished an atticle in the newspapetLi/a/isn titled
Salut a toi, salut aux aveugles que nous devenons. l thankean-Luc
Nancylotallowingittobettanslatedandpublishedinthisbook.
lthankleggyKamul,ean-LucNancy,againandagain) , Helen1attat,
Nottis lope, Wetnet Hamachet, Avital Ronell, Kim Lewis town, y
amgochian, gie Michaelis, Matiana Raykov, Matc ltomentMeutice,
Kalliopi Nikolopoulou, dwatd atche|det, Lee Moote, LudwigReich-
hold, tigitteanvincq ,inmemoty) , Sophie issonnette, StephanReich-
hold, Mila Reichhold, Alice ltizatty ltomentMeutice Reichhold, Eddy
ltizatty, ilMendez, lascalMassie, eateSchuh, Ronaldtuzina,Dietet
Lohmat,|anostick,andDavidDwiggins
letetDteyetdesetvesmyextensive gtatitudelothiseditotialwotkon
this ttanslation. His supetb editing skills have conttibutedvetysignih -
cantlytotheh naltesult
l thankthestalls oltheHongKonglublicLibtaty, theSanltancisco
lublicLibtaty, theNashvillelublicLibtaty, andtheandetbiltnivet-
sitylibtaties
ypetmissionoltheEdinbutghnivetsityltessandleggyKamul,this
ttanslation incotpotates acques Dettida, Ls /sachs 1ouch 1o 1ouch
Him,ttanslatedbyleggyKamul,inOn/hs/ssanLacNan,edited
byleggyKamuPaaah6, z,uly,,;) . zz. Copytight.dinbutgh
nivetsityltess , . eup.ed.ac. uk)
Chtistineltizatty
7
L! L\L!1!LJ1P!!\L !/!L`
`h h cn OU c
}
cs OU . . .
Signing H Qucticn-{cm ritot/c
Oneday,yes,oneday, onceuponatime,atettihctime,atimetettihcally
addtessed,withasmuchviolenceastactatitshngettips,acettainquestion
tookholdolme-asilit,otshe /aqass/isn cameolme,tome.
1o tellthettuth, shedidn'tcometome-puttingitthatwayisinac-
cutate She didn'tcometopaymeaisi/. lnothetwotds, shedidn't
a/igh/tosssme,asillhadini/sdhet. No,aslsaid,shetookholdol
me,sheinvadedmeevenbelotelhadseenhetcoming.shetouched
mebelotelettinghetsellbeseen.lnthissense,yes,althoughthetewasn't
anyvisitpaidtome,itteallywas-beloteanyinvitation-avisitation. A
genuinetestolhospitality.toteceivetheothet'svisitationj ustwhetethete
has been noptiotinvitation,ptecedinghet,the oneattiving.
Nowassoonaslhavenicknamedhet-het,let'ssay,thisquestion
lmaylosethetighttosayoneday,Oneday. . . acettainquestiontook
holdolme, ottookmebysutptise,otgtabbedme)andthustotellastoty.
lotthequestionj ustnicknamedwas ptecise|yoneabouttheday, anen-
quityonthesubjectoltheday-thequestionoltheday, ilyouwill. y
tight,shethuscametolightbelotethelightolday.
She saw the lightolthe day, onemightsay, aptioti she came the
eveningbelote.Ayounget, eatliettisetthantheday, shehencelotthhas
tokeepwatchovetit-andtheteloteovetthephenomenon. She temains
ptephenomenological, she does, unlesswe can say that she is ttans-
phenomenalaswell
Andl would have even lost the tight to say, sensustticto, that she
cameto otltom c-as ill assumed that a questioncometomethus
camesm me. 1his questioncould not happen to msexceptbybeing
J
z vhsnsasss/sach o
saidasmuchas/sachsdupon-bytheothet-belonginghtsttotheothet,
come tomeltomtheothet, whowas alteadyaddtessingitto theothet
lits,shebeholds,andisbeholdento,theothet.
Heteitis,ttansctibed. Whenouteyestouch, is itdayotisitnight
uandnosyeuxsetouchent,laitilj outoulait-ilnuit
l thenttiedtohaveitoutwithhet-lmeantosaywithit,thesaid
question. lwas detetminedtoshowalimitlesspatience,teadylotthein-
h nie,thetimeolexpetienceitsell.let'ssee,caneyesmanagetotouch,htst
olall, toptesstogethetlikelips
1o whichsutlaceoltheeyedolipscompatelltwogazeslookintoeach
othet's eyes, can one then say that they ate touchingAte theycoming
intocontact-theonewiththeothetWhatiscontactilitalways in/s
snss/s/assnandAhidden,sealed,concealed,signed,squeezed,com-
ptessed, andteptessedintettuptionOtthecsn/inaa/intettuptionolan
intettuption,henegatingupheavaloltheintetval,thedeathol/s/assn`
lltwogazes come into contact,theonewiththeothet, thequestionwill
always bewhethettheyate sttokingotsttikingeach othet-andwhete
thedilletencewouldlie. Abenediction botdetingonthevetywotst, as
alwaysWouldabenedictionbebenehcentothetwise,withoutthethteat-
eningpossibilityolsomepetvetsion
Now, inthehtstplace,thisptesupposesthattheseeyesseesachs/hs.
-1heseeyes ot thesegazesou'te goingltomoneto the othet lot
wo gazes,motethantwo eyes ateoltenneeded.Andthentheteateeyes
tha no longetsee, and eyes that have nevetseenAten'tyou also lotget-
ting those living without any eyesAll the same, theydon't always live
withoutanylight
-Wheteweate-thisnight-seemsevendatket,then.Don'twehave
tomakeachoicebetweenlookingotexchangingglancesotmeetinggazes,
and seeing,vetysimplyseeingAnd htst betweenseeingtheseeingand
seeithevisiblelotilouteyesseewhatissssingtathetthan isi//s, il
theybelievethatheyateseeingagazetathetthaneyes,aleasttothatex-
tent, tothatextentassuch, theyateseeingnothing, then, nohingthat
canbeseen,nothingisi//s.Awayltomallvisibility, theyloundetinthe
night1heyblindthemselvessoastoseeagaze,theyavoidseeingthevis-
ibiliy olthe othets eyesso as to addtess themselves onlyto his othet
gaze,tohisothetsightthatismetelyseeing,tohisothetvision
At this instant, hete, is itdaytime And doesthis instant belong to
vhsnsasss/sach .
)
time1o thetime oltheeatth1o time talliedbythistutningatoundthe
eatth known as the h nitecoutseolasunlsitaday lsitnightWould
onehavetoma/sitnight, makethenightasainotdettoseeonesell
lookingattheothetotseeonesellbeheldbytheothetlnotdettoseethe
othetseeingus,thatis,ptovidedwe'dnolongetseetheothetseyes visi-
bility, then, butonly theitclaitvoyance ls thatwhat night is, outs/
nigh/-n the h tstsense, the stongsense olthe wotdnight1he htst
lotwhichwedneedatastetoheatit,beloteseeingottouching
-Let'stepeatthisquestion,howevet,letsdisplaceitwhiletakingnote
olitssttayingdepottment.tthisinstant,then,isitdaytimelsitnight
lloneansweted night, wouldntit then seem that theeyesblindly
/sach,intheconstancyolthiscontactandtheconsentoltheintettuption
holdingthemtogethet
ut she-theonel nicknamed thequestion-obj ected to me, otl
mysellobjectedtomysell.nlessthisispteciselyhowtheybegintoheat
andundetstandeachothet.
-utptecisely, when mygaze meetsyouts, l see /s/hyoutgaze and
youteyes,loveinlascination-andyouteyesatenotonlyseeingbutalso
visible.Andsincetheyateisi//s,thingsotobjectsinthewotld)asmuch
assssing,attheotiginolthewotld) , l couldpteciselytouchthem,with
myhnget,lipsoteveneyes,lashesandlids,byapptoachingyou-illdated
comeneattoyouin thisway, ilonedaydated.
-lnsistingtitelessly,someoneisstilltepeating.atthemomentoltouch-
ingyouteyeswithmine,likelips,isitdaytimeotatewealteadyinhabiting
outnightStillandalwaysouthtstnightalwayslsthetestilltoom, place,
space,otanintetval,ch,lottheday'sphenomenalityanditsdiaphanous
visibility
lot, like an image in a pupil, evetything can also tutn itsellatound,
wheteitisnotyetdaylight,atthepointwhetetheotiginolitspossibility
isdawningAslongasyouhaventtouchedmewithyouteyes,aslongas
youhaven'ttouchedmyeyes,likelips,youwon'tbeabletosayoneday.
Notadieu. Hello,goodbye,solong,takecateolyoutsell,lptaythatone
dayyou'llout|iveme.utthisptayetalteadyshamesme,asillwetealso
admittingthatl maltaid-altaidolbeingasutvivotandbeatingdeath.
ecause, toadmittoone lasttesignation, l expecttheonlychanceola
| vhsn sasss/sach . .
teconciliationwithdeath,l mean tosaymyown, ltomthegood lottune
thusptomisedolnolongetseeingthosewhomlhaveloved-likemysell,
mote thanmysell-die
l batelydatedsignsuchaquestion, not tomentionitsgloss ,itcomes
downtotact,tactility, thecatess,thesublime,whenwhatismostdiscteet
botdetson the mostindecent, unless ittouchesit) , andlotamomentl
thoughtolinventingahistotyot, in lact,sincewehave said goodbyeto
histoty, olptetendingtoinsn/attuestoty.
1his one. unlikely though it mayseem, l thought l decipheted this
anonymousinsctiptiononawallinlatis,asilithadoutneyedtheteltom
theshotesolanothetlanguage. uandnosyeuxsetouchent,lait-ilj out
ou lait-ilnuit: ,When out eyes touch, is it dayotis it night: ) . lt in-
spitedmewiththedesite,puteandsimple,tottotitout, tomakeitan
epigtaph to what l had longwanted towtite lotean-Luc Nancy, the
gteatestthinketabouttouchingolalltime, ltellmysell.
-Olalltime,teally:
-Let'sputitdilletently,toavoidsoundingpatheticandexcessive,even
whenspeakingthettuth-pteciselylotwantoltact. notolall time, pet-
haps, but evet since Atistotle suddenly hit on the manilold apotia ol
touch,asia,hesaidthen,andasssis) ,evetsincehe,Atistotle,lotesaw
all theobscutities olthetangible. touch isn't cleat, sa/ss/insnd/sn, he
sayslutthetote,it'sad/sn, inappatent, obscute, sectet,noctutnal.
Let'snotputthisollbutsayit.itisoltenthecaseinAtistotlethatthedi-
apoteticexposition,otwithintheexpositionthemomentthatisptopetly
diapotetic,isnotnecessatilyamomentthatcanbepassedotsutpassed.y
dehnition,oneisnevetthtoughwithapotiaswotthyoltheitname.1hey
wouldn't bewhat they ate-apotias-ilone saw ottouched theit end,
eveniltheteweteanyhopeolbeingdonewiththem. ltisthusnecessaty
totteatthemdilletently, anddecideothetwise,whetetheycouldn'tcate
lessaboutoutdecision,andtoletgo, leavingoutselvesintheithandsin
sachalashion,tathetthananyothet,withoutanyhopeolsteppingactoss
them,otcomingoutontop,onthebottom,otbysidestepping-andeven
lessbysteppingback,ottunningtosaletybelotethem.
lnAtistotle'sPsisachs,On/hsSsa/) , whattouchesontouchalways
comesdowntotheani/sani/ssnsssnssanditsappeatingassach. es,
itcomesto,htst,theunitolsenseolthesensetetmed/sach,second,the
vhsnsasss/sach .
unityolsenseolthe/angi//s,thitd,theunityolsense,/s/assn/hs/as,ol
whatteletstouchtothetangible,loutth, the ctedit thatwehilosohets
mayhetebtingtocommonopinion,todsxa,withtegatdtothissensible
uniyolasense.
Let'sstattovetascleatlyaspossible,then,andquotethetextsthatlead
ontotheathlessatholtheseloutobscuteaotias.
. lt isaptoblem asia , Atistotlesays, whethettouchisasingle
senseotagtoupolsenses.ltisalsoatoblem,whatistheotganoltouch,
isitotisitnottheHesh ,includingwhati ncettainanimalsisanalogous
substitutedlothomologous-Ttans. withesh) :Onthesecondview,
Hesh is the medium' /s ms/axa oltouch, the tealotganbeingsituated
latthetinwatd ,Psisachsz. . |zzb) .
z. Nevetthelessweateunablecleatlytodetect sa/ss/insnd/sninthe
case oltouch /hah whatthesinglesubject has/simsnsn iswhich
undetliestheconttastedqualitiesandcottesondsto sound inthecaseol
heating ,ibid. ) .
;. ince that thtough which the dilletent movements causing the
sensationslotthesensesothetthan touch-|. D. atettansmittedisnot
natutallyattachedtooutbodies,thedihetenceolthevatioussenseotgans
istoolaintomiss. utinthecaseoltouch sids/s hahs theobscu
tiyad/sntemains. . . . nolivingbodycouldbeconsttuctedolaitotwa
tet, it mustbesomethingsolid . . . . That theyatemaniloldiscleatwhen
weconsidettouchingwiththetongue si/sg/shah,ibid. , |z;a) .
|. Thelollowingtoblemmight be taised asssisd'an/is. . . . .
doestheetceptionolallobjectsolsensetakelacei nthesameway, ot
doesitnot,e.g.,tasteandtouchtequitingcontact,astheyatecommonly
thoughttodo/a/hasnands/si ) , whileallothetsensesetceiveoveta
distance. . . welancyds/samsnwecantouchobjects,nothingcoming
inbetweenusandthem ,ibid. , |z;ab) .
Atistotleisgoingtoexetthimsellinquestioningthisdsxaand,toacet
tain extent, incallingitintoquestion. utonlytoacettainextent,thete
whetewhatlollows couldtakeon thelotmolacleatthesis. Now,this
is notalwaysthe case, at times theclatityolaptoosition conceals an
othetenigma. lot example, though itisobviousotcleat d/sn that,
6 vhsnsasss/sach . .
htst,theotganoltouchisinwatd otintetnal,second,heshisbut the
mediumo touch,thitd,touchhaslotitsobjectbothwhatistangible
andwhatisintangib|e/saha/sa/aiana/sa} ,ibid. , |z|a) , onekeeps
askingonesellwhatintetnalsignihes,aswellasmediumotintetme-
diaty, andabovea|lwhatanintangibleaccessibletotouchis-astill
touchableuntouchable.
Howtotouchupontheuntouchable:Disttibutedamonganindehnite
numbet olotms and hgutes, this question is ptecisely tbe obsession
hauntingathinkngoltouch-otthinkingasthehaan/ingoltoucb.We
canonlytouchonasutlace,wbicbistosaythesknotthinpeelolalimit
,and the exptessions to touch at the limit, to touch the limit itte-
sistibly comebackas leitmotivs inmanyolancy's texts thatwe shall
havetointetptet) .utbydehnition, limit,/imi/i/ssseemsdeptivedola
body. Limitis nottobetouchedand doesnottouch itsel , itdoes notlet
itsellbetouched,andstealsawayatatouch,whicheithetnevetattainsit
otttespassesonitlotevet
Let's tecallaewdehnitions,atleast,withoutteconstitutingthewhole
appatatusoldistinctionsholdingswayinAtistotle'sPsisachs.
Let

shtsttecallthatsense,theca/ olsensation-thetactilelaculty,
lot example-isonlys/sn/ia/and notac/aa/,ibid. , |i
/
a) , withthe in-
eluctable consequencethatolitse|l, itdoes notsense i/ss itdoesnot
auto-allectitsellwithoutthemotionolan extetiotobj ect.1hisisalat-
teachingthesis,andweshallkeeptakingits measutewithtegatdtotouch-
ingandselltouching.
Let's a|so tecall thatlee|ingotsensingingsnsaevenbelote its tactile
specihcation,alteadylendsitse|lto beingtakenintwosenses, potential|y
andactual|y, andalwaystodihetentdegtees,ibid. , |i
/
a) .
Let

smostlytecallthattouchwasalteadyanexceptioninthedehnition
osensib|eobjects_ssecssdassnsi//s} ,eachbeinginitsellotacciden-
ta|lyptopetotcommon) Wheteaseachsensehasitsptopetsensible
object_idisn} ,colotlotvision,soundlotthesenseolheating,havotlot
thesenseoltaste),1ouch,indeed,disctiminatesmotethanonesetodi-
letentqualitiesitsobjectcomptisessevetaldihetentqualities,ibid. , |i?a) .
Let'sb e contentwiththisinitia|seto signpostsbywayo l anepigtaph.
Downtothisday,theseapotetice|ementshavenotstoppedspellingttou-
ble,ilonecanputitlikethat,intbehistotyolthisendlessapotia,thiswill
bebotneoutatevetystepwetake.
lot,withthisbistotyoltouch,wegtopealongnolongetknowinghow
vhsnsasss/sach
tosetoutotwbattosetlottb,andaboveallnolongetabletoseethtough
anyolitcleatly. An epigtapb out olbteathltomtbewotd go, then, to
wbatl tenouncedttyingtowtite, lota tbousandteasons tbatwillsoon
becomeappatent. lot, toadmittbeinadmissible, lsballhavetocontent
mysellwiths/s/s//ing, admittingtolailuteandtenunciation.
Hypotbesis.it'sgoingtobealengtbytalewitbmytbologicaovettones
-Oneday, onceuponatime. . . ltuning,omitting,tetelling, lengtb-
ening, witblittlestoties,witbasuccessionoltoucbes toucbed upagain,
ollononetangentandthenanotbet, tbat'sbowl 'mgoingtosketcbthe
tecollectionsolasbotttteatisededicatedto|ean-Luc ancythatlbave
longbeendteamingolwtitingsiPsisachs,wbichistosay,asand sn
/hssihs, and sn/hssa/sc/sPsisachs-Dsanima-a mutky,
batoqueessay, ovetloadedwitbtelltalestoties,wantingtospellttouble) ,
anunimaginablescene tbat toaltiendwould tesemblewbat bas always
beenmytelationtoinctediblewotdslikesoul, mind, spitit, body,
sense,wotld, andothetsimilattbings.
Howcan onebavespentone'slilewitbwotdsasdeh ning, indispens-
able,beavyandligbt,yetinexact,astbose:Withwotdsolwbicbonehas
toadmitthatonebasnevetundetstoodanytbing:Andtoadmitthiswbile
discbatging oneselloanyttueguiltintbemattet: lsitmyaultilthese
wotdsbavenevetmadeanysense, lmeantosayanysxac/sense-assuted
ot teassuting lot me-andbave nevetbad any teliablevalue, no mote
tbantbedtawingsdeepinaptebistoticcaveolwhicbitwouldbeinsane
toclaimoneknowswbattbeymeanwitboutknowingwbosignedtbem,
atsomepoint,towbomtbeywetededicated,andsolottb:
1hedilletenceisthatlhavenevetbeenableotdatedtotoucbontbese
dtawings,evenbeitj usttospeakoltbemalittlewheteaslottbebigbad
wotdsl havej ustnamed ,spitit,mind,soul , body, sense, sense as mean-
ing, tbesenses, thesensesoltbewotdsense, tbewotld, etc. ) , l dteam
tbat one daysomestatisticswill teveal to me bowolten l made use ol
tbempubliclyand lailed toconlesstbat l was not only unsuteoltheit
sxac/meaning,andbeing'lwaslotgettingtbenameolbeingetalong
witbtoucb,itisevetwheteaquestionolbeing, olcoutse,olbeings,ol
tbeptesent, olitsptesenceanditssssn/a/isn, itssssssn/a/isn) , but
was laitlysute that this was thecasewitb evetybody-and incteasingly
withthosewboteadmeotlistentome.
ow,wenevetgiveintoj ustanythingwbatevet. tigotisdetigueut,
and,tospeaklikeancy, soisexactitude. xactitude,we'llcometoit)
? vhsn sasss/sach .
ishiswotdandhisthing.Hehasteinvented, teawoken,and tesuscitated
them.1hatinawayispethapsmythesis.ltisthusnecessatytoexplain
andthatmaybethisbook's soleambition-howancyundetstandsthe
wotdexactandwhatheintends byit. l believethistobetathetnew
likeatesuttection. xactistheptobityolhissignatute.
P / R l
I|ts Is-o] t|e Ot|er
I sychc
rcund hcr uith such c\cct cnd cruc/ /ncu/cdgc
My nattative withits mytho|ogica|ovettones-Oneday,once upona
time . . . -mightthustevolveasandanevent, asitshou|d,butanevent
bothvittua| and cuttent, mote ot |ess than tea|. Atoundsomethingbut
a|sosomebody, apetsonotmask,ato|e,sssna,awomannodoubt,and
boththethingandshewou|danswettothenamelsyche.
lsyche. stakebetweenAtistot|eandancy, inandonthematgin, ina
citcumspect and citcumetentia|apptoach to thesou| such asean-Luc
ancy's De|'me OntheSoul , cottespondingandtespondingto,te-
p|yingtowithoutnamingit,Atistot|e'sDsanima,otPsisachs) .
1hisisa|soagilotancy, who, asweknow,haswtittenalsyche
aema|elsyche _anslsyche , becauselsychehgutesthete undet alemi-
nineptopetname,onasing|epage,htstinPsmies/iaissn, theninLs
sidsdanssnss1heWeightola1hought ,andhna||yinCsas.
1heptimeteetenceolancy's lsyche, its point oldepattute, isa|-
ways a sott olteudian aphotism. A point odepattute, but it's as i
ancy, thebettettolaunchhimse|lotwatd,stoppedshottoneday,pata-
|yzed by emotion, contonted with lteud's sentence lsyche ist aus-
gedehnt,weissnichtsdavon lsycheisextended,knowsnothingabout
it .Hestattsol, thenbeginsagain,motethanonce,compu|sive|y,a|ways
beginningbylteezing,bygathetngtogethethisbody, |ikeatunnetatthe
stattingb|ock.Csasteinstateslteud'sdictummotelaithllyinthecoutse
oone olthenumetousteviva|sothesamemeditation-titeless,aston-
ished,admiting-thatthis|atenotebylteud ,lotwhichhenevetgives
the teetence) spatks in ancy. He quotes the last sentence in a note
comptisingonlyout,lout|inesinal|.lteudwtoteitonasing|esheet,on
JJ
i z IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
Augustzz i,?, oneyear belore bis deatb ancytbus tirelesslyquotes
thelastsentenceolasickman'spenultimatenote,whicbalmostlookslike
thatoladyingmanLateronwesballteaditinsx/snsslteud'svetylast
note,tbeonetbatlollows,comprisinglewerthantwolines,waswritten
ontbesameday. lttermsmystic, orperhapsitdehnesinthiswayan-
/hingmystical , tbeobscuresell-perceptionolthe realmoutsidetbeego,
tbeid,unlessitis,astbeStandardditiontranslatesit,therealmoutside
thel andtbeid Mysticsmis tbeobscuresell-perceptionoltherealm
outside the ego, oltbe id ,Mystikdie dunkle Selbstwahrnehmungdes
Reicbesausserbalbdelcbs,dess) .
Wouldtbeseapborismsinterestusas mucbastheydoiltheywerenot
elliptical, andmoretbanevertestamentary, asapborismsalmostalways
appearto be: And above all , illike tbePschsolwhom tbey speakand
wboseextensiontbeycoucbinwords, tbeydidnotalsokeepsilence, in
tbeirverywords,onabed: Ontbeextensionoladeathbed:Onanex-
tensionextended ans/sndas/sndas} onitsdeathbed:
ln tbetbreecases, inancystbreetexts, itall beginswitbwhatisex-
tended, and more precisely with lsycbe's being extended. lsyche is sx-
/sndsd sttetcbed out ,aasgsdshn/, /sndas) . lnher essence, sbe is ssms
extension de/'sndas} ,sx/snis) . Sheismadeextended,madeolexte-
sion. Sheistheextensionextendednounandattribute.1o expressinhis
languagesometbingthatwouldprobablymakeDescartesspininbisgrave,
extensionis tbe essence, tbesubstance or essentialattribute, olthe soul
tbatanswerstothepropernamelsycbe.
Letusquoteinsx/snsstbehrstoccurrence,tbeincss-thehrstedi-
tion, as itwere-inPsmies/iaissn
Ps,che
lsycheistausgedehnt,weissnichtsdavon, teadsalate osthame} noteol
lteud's The psycheis extended knows nothing about it. Lvetything thus
endswiththisbtieltune.
lsycheistausgedehnt,weissnichtsdavon.
lsyche Ps,che} isextended,artesetraartessheisnothingbutadispet-
sionolindehnitelypatceled-outlocationsinplacesthatdividethemselvesand
nevetintetpenettate.Nohttinginsideanything,noovetlap,evetythingisout-
sideanothetoutsideanyonecancalculatetheitotdetandtepottontheitte-
lations. Onlylsycheknowsnothingolthis,lothet, theteatenotelationsbe-
tweentheseplaces,theselocations,thesepiecesolaplane.
lsycheisextendedintheshadeolawalnuttteeasthedaylightlades. She
Pschs i
)
liesat test, theslight movementsolsleep havehallexposed hetbosom.llus
tetedandmischievousallatonce,Ltoscontemplateshet.lsycheknowsnoth-
ingolthisHetsleepissodeepthatithaseventobbedhetolanyabandonin
hetpose.
lsycheisextendedinhetcolhn. Soon itis goingtobeshut.Amongthose
ptesent,someatehidingtheitlaces,othetsatekeepngtheiteyesdespetately
hxedonlsyche'sbody.Shekowsnothngolthisandthatiswhatevetyone
knowsatoundhet,withsuchexactandctuelkowledge.
1husthehtstappatition,inPsmiesiaissn. extended,lsychelies
attest, asleepotdead,asdead, belotetos,whocontemplateshet.
Appatentlyai/hsa//sachinghs.
Soonshe isdead. extendedin het colhn. Soonit isgoingto beshut.
Letusbeat in mindthe component//,eatly, soon) inthis /isn//
,soon, soon enough) What does //mean: elote /isn//otaassi//
,at once, all too soon) , what does //conveyto us: 1his isoneolthe
sttangestwotds-ottatheta//}alexicalbeehive-inoutltenchlan-
guage.ltecocity, ptomptitude,ptecipitation,haste,otimminence-i-
//seemstosignianadancs,andwecannotbesutethatitgivesustime
lotthelutute I/issaidtobeanadvetboltime.ltis,butitsolittlesays
tbetime,itgivessolittletime-almostnone-thatonewouldthinkitis
gobbled up in advance by times othet, which is to say, space. butned,
ovettaken, patched,consumedbywhatisextended.Andincidentally, in
tbecaseolthelastolthehvesequencesbeginningwith,twice) lsycheist
ausgedehntot,thteetimes) lsycheesttendue,lsycheisextendedin
hetcolhn. Soon_/isn//} itisgoingtobeshut) ,itistoosoontoteadany
lututeinto the/isn//thatlollows lt isgoing ,sooni/isgsingtobe
shut) isaptesenttense htstolall , gtammaticallyspeaking. it isgoing
sna} ,letsgo sna} ,sssn/Whatisgoingtohappenthen,what
wontbelonginhappening,whatappeatsimminent,thatindeedwill no
longethappn to lsyche,wbo isalteadydead. lotilsometbinghappens
pteentlythatwasalteadyonthevetgeolhappening,itstheend. Soon
/isn //} neithet allows not leaves time Hete soon //} would mean
death,eventheendoladeadwoman
Lookupitsetymology,inlact.theusualsoutcesmostoltentelettoab-
solute speed, totheinstant, tothetimeless timeolaHame ,/ss/asmeans
butned, andtoasted, ltom/sss, consumed byhte, otincinetated-ina
blazingimmediacythatpullsoutallthestopsandthatiswhyonehasa
isda//sssssn, inaptesentnotyetptesentbutnolongetalutute) ot
i | IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
lessolten,asltiedtichDiez'setymologysuggests,discteditingthe lotmet
etymologybuth ndingitselldiscteditedinitstutnbyLitt _Dic/isnnais
dsL/angas anaiss,i?;,
/z) , theteletencewillbeto/s/asandci/s,that
is,withallspeed.Withquasi-inh nitespeed,withoutleavinganytimelot
motion.
lnanycase, thati swhat//meanstosay,whatevetitsetymologymay
be-absolutespeed goinglastetthantime,ptecipitationthatbtings usto
thepointolattivalbeloteah nishedsentencecanhnishanticipating,be-
loteanythinghashadtimetohappen. No soonetsaid,timeisnolonget
given.Notlelt.toolate.Allatonceitistoolate.Doesn'tlsychealsospeak
tousposthumouslyolacetainbelatedness:
lsyche's co-appeatance in these thteewotkswould call lot an intet-
minableanalysis.ltisthesame-thteelold-lsyche, awoman, andeach
time thete is a temindet as lteud puts it, that she is extended ,aas-
gsdshn/) . ut each time ,and thteetimes thehtstsentence tesonates in
ltench, lsycheesttendue . . . lsycheisextended. . . } ) themise-
en-scnedihets,asdothetableauandtheimplicitnattative.
Hete,inPsmies/iaissn,islsyche'simpassiveness,allextended.sheis
notonlyextended,sheisextensionitsell, thetecliningone,womanlaid
up on het bed, neithet analysand not lovet, but almost a tecumbent
statue, inthe setting sun. lsche is extendedintheshadeolawalnut
ttee,asthedaylightlades.
1hisimpassivenesspettainsneithetonlyt otheputesx/sisi/ol hetbe-
ingnotonlytotheabsoluteoutsidewheteshemaintainshetsell. evety-
thingisoutsideanothetoutside,Nancysays,plyingthelotmulaolalod-
ing thathas to betaken into account. thebeingoutsideanothetoutside
lotms theloldolthe becoming-inside olthehtstoutside, andsolotth.
Hence,byteasonolthislolding,heteatethein/sisi/ c/solasttuctute
madeupolnothingbutsutlacesandoutsideswithoutinsides.1hesupet-
hciesolthesesutlaces,as notedeatliet, atelimits-exposed,assuc, toa
touchthatcan onlyevetleave them intact, untouchedanduntouchable.
lsyche's impassiveness does not only pettain to the sxssi/isn olhet
beinga/ss sx/aa/ss. lt is not only ltom het disseminal divisibility
,. . . placesthatdividethemselvesandnevetintetpenettateeachothet) ,
anitteduciblediisi/i/i/,thatallthetest, itseemsto me, willhavetolol-
low. ltisessentially, andlotthosevetyteasons,ltomansn/nsa/sdgs, het
ownunknown,sellignotance-theunconscious.louttimesonthisshott
page-lotthispieceolwtitingcovetslessthanapage-itissaidthatshe
Pschs
/nsasns/hingoltbis. 1bepsycbeis extended, knows notbingaboutit.
vetythingthusendswith tbis btieltune. lsycbeistausgedebnt,weiss
nicbtsdavon. ' . . . Onlylsycheknowsnotbingolthis. . . lsycheknows
nothingolthis. . . . Sheknowsnothingoltbis-andthatiswhatevery
oneknows atoundbet,witbsucbexactandctuelknowledge
l l lsycberemainsalone,i t ishrstbecausesbeisalonei n knowingnotb-
ingolthis. 1hereagaintbe meaningoltbesentencebursts. lnto bits, l
mean. lsycbeistbeonly onewboknowsnotbing,notbingolberselol
betextension,olbetrecumbentbeingextended) but lurtber, bybeing
aloneinknowingnothingoltbis,sheisalsoalonenotknowingany-
thingoltbis. She hnds betsellalonewitboutknowing it hetsolitudeis
tadical/scaasssheknowsnotbing,nothingolbersell,olhetextension,ol
/ha/ahichotbersknowshedoesntknowaha/tbeyknowand/ha/they
know,tbatis, thecontentandtbelactoltheir knowledge. On/hssa/sc/
shssslndeed,sheistbesubmissivesubject,extendedobject) , tbesup-
pottotsubjectileoltbeitknowledgebutnotolhetsbecauseonhetown
sheknowsnothingolbersell-onthesubjectolbetsell.
lnotberwotds, tboseatoundher,petipbetaltober,wboatenottoucb-
ingherwhilegazingatbetallthesame-tbeyknowsomethingaboutbet.
1beyknowitandtheitknowledgeissxac/,oneolNancy'smastetwotds,
wbicbwe'llcomebacktoltequently.sxac/i/adsistbistbinket'sthing,bis
bigdeal-betbinkssxac/sometbingotbettbanwbatonethinksingen-
etalorpondetstooeasilyundettbewotdexactitude, andyet. . . ).1hey
knowtbis witbexactand ctuel knowledge. xact is not tbelastwotd,
j ustoneoltbelast.Wbatdotbeyknow:lsthistbeymasculineotneu-
tet:lslsycheonlyalemininehguresurtoundedbymen,andhrstexposed
totos:lerbapsthey, tbosepresent know/hssssams/hingtbat
shedoesntknow,butknowaboveall/ha/shedoesntknow, tbevetylact
tbatevetythingtakingplaceis an/nsan/shs.indeed,everytbingis tak-
ing als, that is tosay, extends, inplaces tbat divide tbemselves, be-
tween tbese places, tbeselocations. . . . Andtbus tbey know/ha/she
doesn'tknow about bersell/ha/verythingahichistobeknownwitbout
betknowingit,namely,tbatsbeisextended.1beyknowherunconscious,
betbeing-unconscious,lsyche'sunconscious.1beyseebernotseeingbet-
sell, thatistosay, notseeingbersellextended tbeyknowherwbetesbe
neithetknowshersellnorknowsbetselltobeseen.
utthevisionolthisextendedbodybecomesalmostintoletabletotbem.
She-sbebasnosellrelation.sbedoesn'tsee,beattaste,ortoucbhersell
6 IhisIss/hsO/hs
in a wotd, sbc docsnt lccl bctscl Sbc lacks tbc scnsc olbctscl wbicb
amountstosayingtbattbcscnsciswbatsbclacks.Andnodoubtscnsc.And
tbc inscnsatc ,asmucbas inscnsiblc) suppottoltbissubjcctilc tbatknows
notbingandsccsnotbingolitscllbccomcsalmostinsuppottablc totbcm.
Canwc imagincancxtcnsiontbatisuntoucbablc:lmaginingisncitbct
tbinkingnotknowing,tobcsutc, butitisinnowayacomplctcabscnccol
tbougbtotknowlcdgc.Canoncgaslotoncscllanuntoucbablccxtcnsion,
ilyouwill:ltisdicult,cxccpt,asDcscattcs, Kant,andalcwotbctswould
bavcit)ilanintclligiblccxtcnsionwitboutabodyisatissuc,ptccisclytbctc
wbctc tbc undctstandingpasscs imagination and scnsibility andcxccpt
lotsomc inssnsi/sssnsi//s, Hcgcl, Matx,andsoon) . ut invctscly, isany
toucbingimaginablc tbatmigbttoucbsomctbingnotcxtcndcd:Andlut-
tbct, to announcc qucstions tbatwill comc back to us likc boomctangs,
wbatistbcwaytootganizc togctbcttbclollowingloutconccptsotpbi-
losopbcmcs. sx/snsisn,a/ss sx/aa/ss, /s/sach, and/s/sachsnsss{
Soon cnougb, in a combinatotyplayclosingup atound avacantccntct,
tbcitassociationanddissociationwillcompclusintoadizzyingambulation.
llcommonscnsicallylcanonlytoucbsomccxtcndcd/hing,wbatistctmcd
body and matctial body) , it docs not lollow tbatcvctycxtcnsion is
toucbablc ,as l saidamomcntago about intclligiblccxtcnsion) , not tbat
anycxtcnsionissttuctutcd lollowingtbc inttinsiccxtctotity, wbicbiscs-
scntial,ol a/sssx/aa/ss. Ccttainly, tbc livingbody, lotcxamplc,com-
ptiscssomca/sssx/aa/ss,butitalsobasatclationtoitsclltbatisocn
tbougbtnolongcttobc divisiblc intbisway. Sbouldl toucbalivingbody,
sbouldalivingbodytoucbitscll, tbcntbctc is noassutancc tbatcxtcnsion
isttansccndcd-buttbctc iscvcnlcssassutancc tbattbc toucbingotscll-
toucbingtoucbcs intbcwayol a/sssx/aa/ss. Soon,blowsotcatcsscs
willlotcc ustolcavcsuspcndcdanybastyconclusionontbcsubjcctatband.
Amongthose ptesent, someatehiding theitlaces, othetsatekeepingtheit
eyesdespetatelyh xedonlsyche'sbody.
lsycbc tbc untoucbablc, lsycbc tbc intact.wbollycotpotcal, sbc hasa
bod, sbcisabody, butanintangiblconc. ctsbc isnotonlyuntoucbablc
lototbcts Sbcdocsn'ttoucbhssssinccsbciswbollycxtcndcda/sssx
/aa/ss 1boscwbo atc ptcscnt to bcttclusc to scc bctotbcboldbct
dcspctatcly, andiltbcitknowlcdgc issocxactandctucl, tbcnit'snot
onlybccausc tbcy know tbat sbc knows, sccs, ottoucbcs notbing, not
cvcnbctownbodyotanytbingptopctlybctown. ltsbccausctbissccnc
Pschs I,
appearswhileasongolmourningresounds.1wicethe brieltuneres-
onatesinGerman, lorlsyche'snameiswritteninGerman,withoutanac-
cent,andmoreover this isalate _ss/hams} noteollreuds lsycheist
ausgedehnt,weissnichtsdavon. 1hisisaboutapassage,itisaslsyche's
death, and thescenerather|ookslikeanentombment.
lsycheisextendedinhetcolh n.
1hisincarnation, thisincorporation ollsyche's, a corporeal yet un-
touchab|elsyche,isposthumous. ltistellingusperhaps,whetherornot
ancymeanttosayit,thatPsisachs,thetitleol Aristotle

stextthatdom-
inatesa|lourphilosophicalthinkingabouttouchandeverypsych-ology
asadiscourseonthelileoltheliving) mustberereadorrewritteninthis
posthumoussituation,inwhichlsychemustberegarded-ilthisispos-
sibleandilthisdeathisnottoounbearable-asanextensionthatisun-
touchableandlromtheoutsetintangiblelorherse|lAndthosewhobring
themse|vestobepresenttolsyche-
Among those ptesent some ate hiding theit laces othets ate keeping theit
eyesdespetatelyh xedonlsyche'sbody. Shekowsnothingolthis-andthat
iswhatevetyoneknowsaroandher, withsuchexactandctuelknowledge.
amemphasizingaroandher, olcoutse.-|. D. }
-takeastandasandhs,Psisachs.
1heyaretheresa/sc/toher. 1hey nowhsontohersubject.1heyhs
asession, acouncil,aconlerenceonthesubjectolher.ustastheytakeup
theplacesasandthislocuswherenothingtakesplacebutplace,thatis,ex-
tension,onecanalso sense thatthey/a/s/hs/acs-butolwhom: Ol
what:Whatdoesthismetonymyannounce:lorwhomandlorwhatisit
inmourning,ileverymetonymyremainsasignolmourning:
,Metonymiesareinmourning,atleast,lorapropersenseorname.And
weshallseethatthisbookisa|soaboutthemetonymiesoltouch.ltstarted
outas an olleringloreanLucancy,lorhim alone, quite uniquelylor
him,andbyrunningtheriskolpublication,itisalreadyexposingitsellto
somanyothermetonymies. Hencetheworryinginthisunsteadygesture,
initstonalitiesandallect. )
ltremainsthatshe,lsyche,isthesubj ectSheremainsthesubjectinas-
muchas itisrest ,rests, lies-reposing, lying,restingitsell)As lor
? IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
thcm, thcyatc holdingon, standingbyhctsubjcct, not byhctbcdsidc
ssnchss/} ,aswcmightsay,butattbccdgc olhctbcingcxtcndcd,olhct
cot, ot hctcolh n. owingbut onc thingabout bct, which is that shc
knowsnothingolit,thcywatchhctandscck,j ustaswcdo,togivcthought
tothc subjcctolthc subj cct, and think aboutandatoundpsychc ,si
sachs) ,andthinkabouttoucbingandwhatitmcanstosay.uttouch-
ingiswhatthcyatc notdoing,sinccthcyatc thinkingandthcyatc think-
ingthatisthcitpostulatc-thatinotdcttothinktouching,thisthinking
about touch mustnot touch.1bcyatcalsoaskingthcmsclvcswhat this
,thatis,touching)mightsccinsccingandbavctodowithit,asccingthat
somc acccpttcsolutclywhctcasothctsatchidingtbcitlaccs. 1hcyatc
askingthcmsclvcswbat touchingmighthavc to do with sccingand thc
othctscnscs.
utthcyaltcadyknowthatthistbinkingoltouch,thisthoughtolwhat
touchingmcans,must toucbonthc untouchablc.Atistotlc'sPsisachs
hadaltcadyinsistcdonthis. botbtbc tangiblc andtbc intangiblc atcthc
objccts oltoucb ,hhah/sa ha/sa /aiana/sa) ,Psisachs|z|a) .
Oncc thisinctcdiblc ttuthhasbccnuttctcd, itwilltcsonatcdowntothc
twcnticthccntuty,cvcnwithindiscoutscsappatcntlyuttctlylotcigntoany
Atistotclianism,aswcshallscc
Howcanthisbc1opondcttouchingwhilctouchingon, ottampcting
with,thc untouchablc-wouldthisbc thc absolutc inj unction:Docsn't
thisinj unctiondictatc thc impossiblc: Docs itpcttain to aposthumous
histotyollsycbc otPsisachsAnddocsposthumoushctc signithat
Atistotlc's lcgacy, no mattct how undcniablc, is tcally dcad Ot docs it
mcanthatitistimc toinhctititdillctcntlyWhat could thisbistotyol
touchbavctodowithinhctitancc
lnanycasc,itwastimctostattwithatablcauolmoutning,notmoutn-
inglotsomconc,malc otlcmalc,somcdctctmincdlivingbcing,somcsin-
gulatityotothct,butmoutninglilcitsclandwhatinlilcistbcvctyliving
thing,thclivingspting,tbcbtcathollilc. lsychc isalsoacommonptopct
namc, dcsignatingthc ptinciplc ollilc, btcatb,thc soul,thcanimationol
thcanimal.1hatiswbycvctytbingbcginsandmustbcginthctc.Anditis
indccdthctcthatPsisachs-ooltcnttanslatcdinoutttaditioninLatin
asDsanima-e n . 1bisttcatisc bcginsbycxplainingtous,atthcvcty
outsct, what onc is to bcginwith. lot, ilknowlcdgc is amongthc most
bcautilulandmostdignihcdthings, ilknowingoncthingiswotthmotc
than knowing anothctbytcason olits accutacy ot by tcason olthc ad-
Pschs ,
mirablequalityolitsobjects,thenknowledgeolthesoulmustproperlybe
entitled to thehighestrank-this can be read at the beginning olPsi
ss. nowledge olthesoulgreatlyserves theknowledge olall truth
lirst, itservestheknowledge olnaturebecausethesoulis the principle
propertolivingbeings ,ss/igahsisnach/nzin) ,Psiss|oza) .
Aristotlethusproposestostudy, ontheonehand,thetraitspropertothe
soul,theonesthatdehnetheessenceorthesubstance,sasia)olthepsyche,
andontheother hand, thosetraitspertainingtoentirelvingbeings.This
beginningolPsissassumesthatthesoul ,s)-atleastthesoul
olthelivingbeingnamedman-canhavesell-knowledgeWhenonethen
comestothepartolthesoulthatthinksandknows, onewilldealwith
theintellectthatisseparableandisabletothinkitsellinitseternityor
immortality,ibid. , |z,b) . Certainly,istotle'spsyche,likeNancy's,isim-
passive,aa/hs) ,insensitive,andindillerenttosullering,withinitsnoetic
andactiveprinciple,therewhereitthinks,thinksitsell,andknowsutit
is also separable, andwhen itis severed-which is also the moment ol
death,buthereadeaththatdoesn'thappen-itre-becomesimmortaland
eternal ,ibid. ,|oa) .
ltisappropriate,at thispoint,torecallwhatisevidentAristotle'sPsi
ssis atreatiseon thepurelileoltheliving
Now,Nancy'slsycheseesherselltreatedasadeadwoman.
This will have some consequences, both close and distant ones, lor
s-logy, s-analysis-that goes without saying-but also lor a
numberolmodern languages andour current discourseson theliving
body,Lsi/) ,whethertheeargraspsitasbodyproperortheesh. 1he
principleordrivetoexpropriationintroducedtherelorthwithbydeath,the
other ortime,is certainlyhardto tolerate, bu, aswe shall see, it's less re
sistanttothoughtthanwhatcomplicatesanincana/isnevenmore,which
istosay, theprosthesis,the metonymic substitute,theautoimmunepro
cess,and/schnica/survival.
The/schnolbodies,ecotechnics,andtheintrusionolLin/asare,lor
example,amongthenames thatNancybestowsonthese

2 5Qacin_s
Ihc Inccmmcnurcb/c, S,nccc,
cnd vrd Bcginning uith cx-
May l, even belote statting out again, bepetmittedthe space and the
lteedomolalongpatenthesishetetoannounce,atsome temove, apossi-
bledestinationltisj ustih edpteciselybytheattentionaccotdedtosacs,
ottathettosacing, the absoluteconditionolanyextensionand anya/ss
sx/aa/ss, aswellastheconditionolthissttangelsyche.Alutthetj usti-
hcationlotthepatenthesisis thelinkbetween thespacingmotilandan
unusualthinkingol ssdsm.
OneolNancy's tateteletencestoAtistotleisaneventatetonetoPsi
sachs, in whichhe temindsus,withoutalludingto touchhimsel that
tistotle'ssach-asubstance in thesenseollotm olalivingbody
was unitedwiththebodylike wax andtheshapegiven to it. ' Andit is
alsointheselastpagesolhisEgssamthatNancyh tsttevisits,sotospeak)
hisownteletencetolteud'snote.
lndeed,thispointisquitesignihcant,andaccotdingly, nodoubt,weshall
havetogivesustainedattentiontoitlateton. Natutally, althoughthewotd
touchdoesnotappeatthete,thestakesolhisdemonsttationdotouchon
whattouchingmaymean. ltdealswithasubtlebuthtmdistinctionbe-
tween sa/i/and /acca/i/, betweenssand /acca, the lattet being mote
ptimitivethanthelotmet.1hemouthssa/sbutitdoessoamsngs/hs
/hings. ltcan also bteathe, eat, spit.lthas notalways beenspeaking,not
always beenansa/agency.theinstantspeakingbegins,anunstableand
mobileopeninglotms. lotalewinstants,nothingisdiscetnible,egowill
notsayanything.Allthategodoesisopenupthiscavity,Nancy, num
quid,p. i 6z) .1hemouththatcanscteam,theclosedmouthatthebteast,
thus opens up belote the otal stage. 1he mouth attaches itsellto the
z
Sacings z
bteast inanidentihcation mote ancient than any identihcation with a
lace, themouthslightlyopen,detachingitsellltomthe bteast, inahrst
smile,ahtstnnylace,thelututeolwhichisthinking ,ibid. ) .
Atthispoint,alootnotetelersustolsyche andtolreud'sposthu
mousnote.Now,althoughthemouthistouchingbutletmesttessonce
againthatthen,ini
)/)
,Nancydoesnotmakeuseolthewotdtouchin
thiscontextandthematically) ,itisalsodetachingitselllromthebteast.lt
intettuptsthecontactinordertospeak-think,inahtstopening,aninitial
andoriginalsacing.ndthere,whatcomestopassisthattheego }spaces
itsellout cequis'ypassec' estqu'il s'yespace Spacingbtings aboutthe
ltee,theopen, thespacious, lotman'ssettlementanddwelling' ,Heideg-
get) . ut manisthatwhichspaces itselloutandneverdwells elsewhete,
pethaps,butinthisspacing,intheasa/i/olthemouth , Nancy, num
quid, pp.6z6) .
At this moment, then, the pointwhete he puts in place a conceptol
asa/i/thatwillorganizeanewlogicolspace,thelogicoltheego'sexte
tiotityaswell. spacingolplaces, distancingandstrangenessthatmake
upplace,ttacings,andsolotth) ,wehavej ustcomeactossaguardedand
uneasyteletencetoHeideggetalmostan objection. ltseemstomethat
thissetsup,tenyeatsinadvance,Nancy'sgreatptoblematicinLsx

isncs
dsh/s/,IhsExsisncssFssdsm) . Thisworkwillalsobeoneolthe
sttongesttohaveitoutwith Heidegget, in adebate,Aassinandsss/zang)
that isamongthe mostnecessaty, that istosay, adebate that hartiesand
wotties things so as to question them or call them into question, mss/
c/sss, elhciently, andellectively, in c/, indssd stattingltomacompte-
hensive,undetstanding,patient,andtitelessteading-agenetousreading.
Generouses, genetous. thiswordisall themorecompellingsincea
certaingenetosityolbeingbecomestheultimatej ustihcationolhis ex-
petienceollteedom. This generosityisnolongetsimplythevirtueola
subject, ot what Descattes mighthave gtaspedbythis word. This gen-
erosityallows one tocsngas,andindissociablythinktogether, theg
,otrathetthesing) , dscisisn,sacing, andssdsm.
ltisagenetosityolethosmote thananethicolgenetosity . . . ltgives ltee-
dom,otors t. lotthegiltisnevetputelyandsimplygiven. . . . ltisthus
ketsegarde}. + . . Onemustkee garder} thesingu|atptesentinwhichthe
giltassuchisket gard} thatis,olleted. . . . Theoetingistheinestimable
pticeolthegilt.Thegenetosityolbeingolletsnothingothetthanexistence,

'
zz IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
andtheoeing,assuchiskegard} inlteedom.Allthismeans.aspaceis
olletedwhose spacing each time, only takes place bywayoladecision. 8ut
theteisnothe ecision.heteiseachtime,myown,asingulatmine)
youtsaienne} ,hisothetsoutsAndthisisthegenetosityolbeing, Nancy
erienceoFreedom, pp. i|6-|;slightlymodihed-tans )
lhaveemphasizedthelouroccurrencesoltheverbgadskeep,guard,
keepguard,wardollTrans. thatareessentialinmyeyesTheypointat
thesametimetowardtruth's si/si/as hhsi/} ,whichisagaadas
theword indicates, andto scsnsm. Mustagiltbekept lntruthMas/
onekeeporguard, as thetextsaysAndisthiskeepingcompatiblewith
thewithdrawal, retreat,holdingback,andretaining,whicharealso
inquestionuestions
And yet, when l reread this lundamental chapter, Decision, Desert,
Ollering, lollowedbylragments, withadmiration,somewillsay, an-
otherCartesianword') ,whenllollowthrough,stepbystep,withgratelul
recognitionateveryinstant,lwonder.Doesn'tmytimid,reticentconcern
abouttheasdgenerosity ,itisthewordlworryaboutandnotneces
sarilytheconceptatworkinit)pertaintotheveryreservethatthecsngs
nia/motiland the gssdmssms/ollraternity always inspirein mel
mean to saylraternityinthegreatesttradition, certainly, andall its res-
torations, butstill , inspite olthedillerences, inLevinas, lanchot,and
others lnthis conclusionolIhsExsisncssFssdsm,incidentally, the
relerencetolraternityisas insistentasitiscautiousandawkward.While
Nancyisveryconsciousolwhatmayappeartoberidiculous orsuspect
in the lrenchrepublican motto, and olwhatmakesone smile inthe
word lraternity, he nevertheless makes the suggestion that thought
shouldbegivento lraternityinanotherway, to lraternityinabandon-
ment, olabandonment ,Nancy, ExsisncssFssdsm, p. 6?) . rieHy,
whatembarrassesmein thewordgenerosity, as in thewordlraternity,
hnallyamountstothesamething lnbothcases,oneacknowledgesand
nods to some genealogy, some hliation, a principle having to do with
brth, whetherornotitisnatural, as itisoltenthoughttobe.Above
all , thewordprivileges somevirility. Even ilheisanorphan,abrother
isasonandtbereloreaman lnordertoincludethesisterorwomanor
daughter,onehas tochangewords-generously-and thenchangethe
wordgenerosityitsellwhileoneisatit. lndeed,ilonegivesorollersbe-
causeoneisnaturally, genially, congenitally, orontologicallygsnssas, at
Sacings z
)
bitth,ilit'sbecauseone hastogiveorhassomethingtogive, becausesns
cangive,thankstoapowet,alotce,otacapacitytelatedtogiving,tohav-
ingwhatittakes togive, with soveteignpowet,oncegivingissssi//s, ot
theteisa genetosityolbeing, thendoesoneollet,doesonestillgive
Hete,likethegilt,likespacing, lteedomotdecisionpethapsptesup-
posestheintetruptionolgenerosityaswellasltatetnity. To give, outol
gsnsssi/otbecausesnscangive,whatonehas)isnolongettogive.Giv-
ingispossibleonlywheteittemainsimsssi//s,andnotevenim-possible
assach.lthetecomesdowntotheimpossibilityoltheassuch, tothe
lateolphenomenologyasmuchasontology.
esidestheinsistenceon/ssinggaadasuspensionoltheconstative
uttetanceas theenunciationolathesisgiveswaytoanaddtessinthela-
miliatlotm /a/sismsn/} ,youts _/a/isnns} ,hisothets asisnns} ,outs,
andsoon) attheheattolNancy's demonsttationwillhavebeennoted
Theindicativemoodolthethesisissuspended,notabandoned,thead-
dtessisembeddedintheanalysis. utintheallocution,theteisacettain
challenge,whichwillhavesome impottancelotslateton. Thismove-
mentdoesnotptoceedthetorically.ltoltencattieswithit,andalteadyte-
calls,withachangeolscenes) anessential displacement inthegestuteol
thethinking.1o btingthispointhome,ithelps,thoughitdoesnotsul-
hce) to underscotetowhat degtee philosophicaldiscoutsehasexcluded
,one mightevensayptohibited) thissttophictutnoltheaposttophe,as
wellasthouandyou, ltomAtistotletoant,ltomDescattestoHegel
andto Heidegget. Eventoday, thisprohibitionextendstomanyothets.
Exceptions-ilany-atetate,wewouldleatnmuchltomtheitinventoty.
Theltee dasFsis} is themotil,thesemantictoot)thatHeidegget
keepsuntiltheend,wheteashehasleltbythewaysidethetheme,atleast,
oltheessenceollreedom.Thisleavesagap,intowhichNancyptoceeds
withhisotiginalmeditationonalteedomthatisnolongerasubj ect'sot
someone's lteedom ,he says datingly. ln this sense, the stone is ltee
Nancy,ExsisncssFssdsm,p. r ;)} ) . lnmanyplaces, butmotepattic-
ulatlyinthechaptettitledTheSpaceLeltlteebyHeidegget ,ibid. ,pp.
))
) , Nancyditectlyorinditectlyquestionsthepatadoxolthislteespace
that Heidegget maintains as a motilaltet he has let go olthe motilol
lteedom. lsitthespace, ortheplace, inwhichitwouldbeapptoptiate
toengagethought
Endolthislongpatenthesis.
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
ilePsisachsis thus atreatise on the purelileolthe living, itre-
currentlyaccordstotouchastatusthat sets itapart.Touchmaywell exist
apartlromtheothersenses,butAristotlestressesthatwithoutit,noother
sensewouldexistAshasbeennoted,allanimalspossessthissense,which
isalsothesenseolnutrition.
Whyisitthat,unliketenyearslater,Nancydoesnotseemtohavebeen
preoccupiedwithtouch-atleastnotasathemeandbythisname-atthe
timewhenhewrotePschs,i?)andEgssam,i), oreveninbrieyal-
ludingspecihcallytotheproblemollileinAristotlesPsisachs
Themaj orquestion,attheendolEgssamaswellasinPschs,seemsto
cometogetherundertheheadingolonenoun,namely,sx/snsisn,anditis
anincredibleextension, thatolthesoulorthought. nderscoringwhat
is paradoxical andunique, thatis, incommensurable, insuchanexten-
sionis atissuethen. ltseemsthatonecanonlytouchanextendedbody
orsomepartolit,butnoteveryextensionisnecessarilytouchable.There
isan intelligibleoras, ssnsi//sextension,anonempiricalextension.
lsyche'sextension-thatis,thatollsychethecharacterinPschs-ba
nomeasureincommonwithanything, andaboveallnotwithanyother
extension.Andyet,asthetermindicatesanddemands,mustlsychenot
shareatleastsometraitwithwhatonecommonlytermsextension, with
theeverydaysenseolextension:Theconceptualpassage,ilonemaysayso,
inthisargumentationbetweentheextensionolthebody,whichiseasylor
commonsense toapprehend,whichisanessentialattributeolthecorpo-
realsubstance lor Descartes and the eidetic componentolanymaterial
thingandanytranscendentandtangiblesslorHusserl)andtheextension
olthepsycheorthinking,whichisaparadoxicalextensionresistingintu-
ition, perception,andconsciousness) iswhatexceedsanymeasureinthem
both-andthereloreexceedscommonmeasure.Thatistheircommonin-
commensurability. Thisincommensurability-as incommensurabilityol
extension,asincommensurabilitybetween two ways olbeingextended,
twospacesortwospacingsgoesthroughathinkingol /cs/isa} ,asa
place or locus thatis reduced neithertoobjectiveextension nortoobjec-
tivespace.Thisplacemustbesacingbeloreitisspace, itmustopen an
opening,asitwere,aninterval,whichistosay anapparentlyincorporeal,
though notintelligible,extension-thus neithersensiblenorintelligible.
Themouthwouldherebethisplace, thisuniqueplace. cavity, gaping
place, chasm,abyss,opening,thesewordsarepartolNancys lexiconin
thesepages),hole/sa}

orih ce,theseadditionalwordsthatdonotappear,
Sacings z;
itseems,atleastnothete,mightpointtowatdothettesoutces) ./aunique
place,evenbeloteonedistinguishesbetween/accaandss,themouthwould
thusbethecommonplaceoltheincommensutablesinquestion,thatis,
bodyandsoul,spititotmindotthought) ,andsolotth.1heincommen-
sutableextensionolthinkingistheopeningolthemouth ,Nancy, num
quid, p. i6i) .
Letus notlotgetthehnaldemonsttationthatotientsEgssam, awotk
thatcanbeteadbothasanewmeditationonhction,h ctitiousness,othc-
tionalityatwotkwithin thecsgi/s i. e. , olDescattes andas an expeti-
ence, an expetiment, and an abyssal ptovocation olwhat is called the
mouth) .withoutthemouth,onecannotconceiveoltheunionolthesoul
andthebody-olthecommeunseultoutinthedudeLuynes'sttans-
lation,thatis,seeminglyasinglewhole, aquasi-singlewhole,otinthe
HaldaneandRossttanslation seeming tocomposewithitonewhole) ,
olthe conjunctumet quasipetmixtum, ot olthe quasi petmixtio.
Nancywillmakethistheobsessivemotilolhisbook-in ttuth, olthevety
sgs sam itsell-whileto thequasi, to thelableolthis quasihction,he
willaccotdadecisiveauthotityotadauntingpettinence.
Sincel playingatttackngdownallthettopologicalusesoltouch,all
thetimesNancytesottstoit-thistactilemetaphototmetonymy,which
some may hnd hackneyed andweakly invested-it may be apptoptiate
hetetopointoutthat,j ustashelendsallthetequisiteattentiontothedu
deLuynes'sttanslationolthelamouspassageinDescattes'sSixthMedita-
tion, notablywhenitttanslets-andellaces-theqaasiltomquasipet-
mixtum to unum quid, yielding comme unseultout, heteNancy
quasi-touches, ill can put itthatway, thehguteotttope ,metaphot ot
metonymy) oltouchasilwithadisttacted,batelygtazinghand.
1 lottheLatintext,itsays.lamquasi-intetmixedwithmybody,sothatalong
withit, l makeupacettainunity-somethinglikea unum quid. Thedis-
placementolqaasi}doesnottoachonanythingimpottant,anditisindepen-
denceonqaaithattheLatinanamqaidisthought,ilnotgtammaticly| con-
sttucted. lndeed, Descattes wtotethisanamqaid, andwe shall, sotospeak,
keepouteyesh xedonit. ,Nancy, Unumquid, p ,,)
Theemphasis on touch is mine. Hete, totouch means to sayto
tampetwith,tochange,todisplace,tocallintoquestion,thusitisinvati-
ablya settinginmotion,a kinetic expetience. lwouldlutthetnotethat
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
themetaphotolsightmaynotbemotesttictlyapptoptiatehetethanthe
metaphot oltouch, yet it is only with tespect to the eyes hxed that
Nancyconsidetsthathecandecentlymakeaconcession . . . weshall,ss
/sssa/,keepouteyeshxedonit.
We atenotthtoughwith this question, which istosay,withknowing
whethetthequasiolthe quasi petmixtio olthesoulandthebodyis
seen, otwhethetitistathettouchedotletsitsellbetouched.As ac|ose
gamewillplayitselloutbetweentheseotih ces,thatis,themouthandthe
eyes, thesequasi-placelessplaces, thesebotdetedopenings, thesegitdled
spacings,thatsoneoltheteasonswhywebeganwiththesceneolthekiss
onthemouth-otontheeyes,betweensingleeyesonly, makingeyes,eye
toeye,eyeoneye
1he common incommensutabi|ity ,il this exptession makes sense) ,
common to thinkingand extension, this incommensutabilityolwhich
theypattakeandwhichwillallowonetosaythattheschsissx/sndsd
comesdownto the quasi petmixtio olthe union. Whatis it:Themix-
ingotthequasi -theasilolthismixing:Shalllbegoingtoolatmy-
sellintendetingotleigningtotendetthelullvalueolthehguteolthesx-
s/i/an/thatimptessesitsellonNancywhenhedesctibestheellectsolthe
incommensutable,anincommensutablethatis absolutelyunique,singu-
lat, anditteplaceable, all atthe same time-andyet common to mote
thanoneincommensutable,hetetothesoulandthebody:
Soletustead,letussee,andletuslistentotheexotbitant,toexotbi-
tantthinking.We shalloltenbeabletovetithatNancyisthethinketol
thesxs/i/an/andsxac/i/adsatthesametime,evenilthesetwovaluesseem
antagonistic, at times, to anyone in ahutty. llthete is anyantagonism,
thenitis /snssi/is /ha//saadahichNancy'sexigencyothisvetyethics
/sn Exactitudeis exttemeexigency. letus tetm itan exotbitantexacti-
tude-hisown,hissignatute-ottathet,exactitudelaithlultotheexcess
oltheexotbitant.Withthesttictestptobity, hegoestotheexotbitant'sap-
pointment ilsetend. . . autendezvous del'exotbitant . We tecallthat
theconceptoltheex-sctibed,awotdthatNancylotmedotcoined)hnds
itse|lincteasinglyinsctibedattheheattandinmostcoteolthiswtitingthat
thinks.thetetemainsaneedtowondetaboutthebody, thelotce,thecom-
pulsive dtivethat sets this syllable sx in motion and keeps it alive. Ol
coutse,weshallhavetoconhgutethissyllableinaccotdancewithawhole
thinkingolex-pulsion,ex-ptession,outwatdex-ctetion-thisthinkingit-
Sacings z
se|lconditionsthesenseol thewotld-andwiththethinkingolexcess
thatinexotablypushesoutwatdly, untilitis/hsaingotsissning,eject-
ing,dej ecting, objecting, abjecting) theego'ssubj ectivityintosx/sisi/.
1heoutlineolthisdiscoutseadj oinscettainptopositionsbylaulalty, in
ouche Mouth ,' aswellas Heidegget's thinkingon sasnhsi/, on
anopeninginandthtoughwhichisindeedptopetly/hsan , Nancy,
numquid, pp. i 6z6) . HeteNancyundetscotesthettait,otmoteex-
actlythettacedoutlineot/acings, olthisextetiotizationolextetiotity.Al-
teady, themovementinsx isscotedas asott olwtiting,andtheconcept
olthesxsci/sdinteheatsal,althoughitwillonlyappeatundetthisname
lateton,tounsettleevetyphenomenologyoltouch.
Thesubjectgiveswayinthisabyssalchasm8utegouttetsitsellinit.egoex-
tetiotizesitsellthete,whichdoesnotsigni[thatitcattiestotheoutsidethe
visible laceolaninvisibleintetiot.This litetallysignihes thatego makes ot
makesitsellexteriorit,,spacingolplaces,distancingandsttangenessthatmake
upplace,andthusspaceitsell, htstspatialityolthetrcingsolavetitableout-
line inwhich-as in no othet-ego may come lotth, ttace itsellout, and
thinkitsell , Nancy, Unumquid,p. i6,)
Asweshallnote in amoment,itis inthisteexive lold ,ttace i/ss{
out, think i/ss{) that the question oltouch, ol sell-touching, has
takenup tesidencebelotehand.Andonthescoteolsx-, letmealso telet
to the tematkablepassage that dtaws away the modetnsubj ect, thatis,
theCattesiansubject,ltomanylacultyandanysubstantiality.Cattesian
expetienceistheexpetienceolsa/withoutanystasisotstance.ptothe
endandwithoutanytesetve,sxsis) ,sa/testswhatitcanbe.Egoisthe
ptoololsa/sx ,ibid. , p. i ;?)
1his comes down to ,andgoes withoutsaying-but that will besaid
latet)anothetwayolapptoachingexistence.
lnthepassagethatlwasptepatingtoquote,theselastwotdsinsxcome
pteciselytocottespondwiththelogicandthetopologicalsetupolthesx-
s/i/an/,oltheinexotablyexotbitant.
Theteisnomesaretoexpecthete.Theincommensutableiswhatmakespos-
siblethequasipetmixtiooltheunion, makingitathinkingthatisincom
mensutableitsell,thatisexotbitantintelationtothinking.lnthequasipet-
mixtio, thinkingisextended
This mayhave beenwhat lteud sensedwhen hewtotein aposthumous
note.Thepsycheisextended,knowsnothingaboutit. Suchathoughtcould
hisIs-s /hsO/hs
cmeteudnlybecausehewasthinkingagainsttheCattesiansubject.8ut
thisthughtalscame t escattes,andinescattes asinteud,itinex-
tablytipsvet,flingutside,exceedinganypsych. ,Nan,Unum
quid,p. i6i)
I
encelotththete ate two questions, /as /s/sin /imsatleast, lotthe
samequestion.
Fis/ howdotwoincommensutabilitiesolpsychicalthinkingandol
thebody-uniteinanextensionthatisitsellincommensutable:Atthis
stageolthequestion, ancy'sanswetisotiginalyetcleatanddeveloped,
andeveninsistent.ltiscontainedinasinglewotd,itsellobscuteandgap
ing) . mouth-embouchuteolthemouth,otiginatyspacingolamouth
opening,i/ss{) betweenthelipsandattheothet'sbteasts. ltmaybenec
essatyhetetodistinguishbetweensx/snsisnandscing.
utsscsn, as the question is genetated asecond time ,that is,what
abouttouchinallthis:owdoesthisdoubleextensiontouchotsctouch:
lsitopenedbybeingtouchedtouchingi/ss{) itsanswetstillappeatsel-
liptical,vittual, andptethematicinEgssam.1hat'smyhypothesis, andl
wouldliketo suppottitwithalewquotations.
Fis/again, thetelote. the mouth's answetto thehtstquestion is held
between a nonspeaking mouth ,/acc, without the otalityolss) and a
mouththatstatts detachingitsellltomthe bteast andisajatevenbelote
theotalstage. eatingtime,theopeningolthemouthtespondstothe
lips moving-theothet's lips, the mothet's lips at bitth, then mine, ill
maysayso-always neatesttobitthinto thewotld, andltomamothet,a
nounand name ancy nevet ptonounces. lsn'tbitth into thewotld the
htstexpulsion:1hewotdmothet does not appeat, despiteancy'sob-
vious, explicitteletencetohet,atthetimeolbitthandnutsing) , despite
histeletencetotheedgesoltheotihce,tothelipspattingandopeningthe
passagelotthenewbotn,thelabiabetweenthemothet'slegsaswellasthe
inlantslipsintheit htstcty) , despitehisteletencetothe bteasts patting
thenutsling'smouth., otetheeatlietteletencetoasilentphotogtaphol
thesttetched-out,sx/snsmothet inWhenOutEyes1ouch, n. z} . )
Why:lli ti sthemothet,i nanycase,whoopensthebotdetingedgesas
wellasthelipsolamouthh tstdesctibedasanopening,then thishappens
beloteanyh gute-notbeloteanyidentihcation,butbeloteanyidentih-
cationwithalace, asalatettematkspecies
ltistheopeningthatincommensutabilizesthetewheteit_ } spaces
tsellout.1hemouthis//hssms/imsplaceandnonplace,itisthelocus
Sacings z)
oladis-location, thegapingplace olthequasipetmixtio between soul
andbody, which istosaytheincommensutableextensionbetween them
andcommontoboth,sincethemouth-anymouth,beloteanyotality
opensan opening.Motespecihcally, as asell-opening, it spacesitsellout,
opens,i/ss{) anddistends,i/ss{) ,myemphasis) .
Theincommensutableextensionofthinkingistheopeningofthemouth.Tbe
mouth thatopens ,itself) , fotmingego,othetlipshadalteadyopenedtode
livetintothewotldthis me, whenitgaveahtstcty), istheplaceotlocusof
theunion, inasmuchas this unionopens ,itseq) anddistends tse)-and
thusunumquidcomesabout.Thisplaceisnotap|aceandyetitisnotout
ofplace.Withinplace,intheextensionofaface,itmakesupagapingnonplace,
agapingnoncase /anced'annon/iea . lnthisnonplaceandnoncase,hg
ute ,thatis, extension,measute) andh gutelessness ,that is, thoughtwithout
measute)adj oinanddistinguishthemselves,theyateadjoinedthtoughtheit
distinction.Thelocusoftheuttetingisfotmedbytheintetnaldis-locationof
thisteunion. , Nancy,Unumquid, p. i6i)
ldon'tbelievethatthesaidopeningsss{,opens _i/ss{} anddistends
_i/ss{ ) signihes autonomyotauto-allection. 1he nonplace-noncaseol
thisplaceisalsoopenedbytheothet.A//a/sncsauto-ahectedandheteto-
allected, uniting both allections like twolips, it lets itsellbe opened
hencethoughtwithoutmeasute, hencetheincommensutable,hencethat
which seemingly comes to pass, hete, between Atistotle and Descattes.
Nancygoeson,makinghisonlyteletencetoAtistotle'sPsisachs.
Tbesachsoftheancientswaslocalized-whichevetitsbodilyotganmight
be. Atistotle'ssachs-asubstance inthesenseoffotm| ofalivingbody
wasunitedwiththebodylikewaxandtbeshapegiventoit. TheCattesian
soul,whosedetailedstudywouldfutthetmoteshowsevetalttaitscattiedovet
ftom those ttaditions) ,asthesoulofthe onewhose beingitistouttet, takes
upthisplace-nonplace-noncaseoftbemouthopeningandclosingupon ego
sum, then opening and closinga secondtimeatonce, tepeating, not te
peating, ego existo. This double beat uttets thesubj ect, it uttets itselfas
subj ect.
8utamouthisneithetasubstancenotahgute.Baccaalatet,motettiv
ialtetm-isnotos., Nancy, Unumquid,pp. i6i-6z)
HeteNancywotksonsevetalhgutes,amongsevetalhgutesolthehgute,
which isto sayolakindolhctionality andakindollacticityolngss.
louthgutes olthehgute,atleast,belongto thissemanticconhgutation.
)
o hisIs-s/hsO/hs
I . liguteas thelotmolextension. Nancy hasj ustsaid. hgute thatis,
extension,measute)andhgutelessnessthatis,thoughtwithoutmeasute) ,
z. liguteaslashion-wayollashioning,lashionolthemakinganddo-
ing_sndsissndais
)
. liguteas ttope,
|.liguteasvisage_cs otlace isags .
1hese hgutes ate insctibedwithin one anothet, as when the lace be-
comesametonymylotthemouth,lotexample. utamouthis neithet
asubstancenotah gute.Bacca-alatet,motettivialtetm-isnotss.Os,
sis, the mouth olotality, is the lace itselltaken as metonymylot this
mouthitsuttounds, catties,andmakesvisible, theplacethtoughwhich
allkindsolsubstancespass,andhtstolalltheaitysubstanceoldiscoutse
ibid. , p. i6z) .
Similatly,thesell-telationolamouththatopens,itsell) otspacesit-
selloutdtawsthehguteolthemouthbeloteanyhguteasvisageotality)
andbeloteanyidentihcationwitha,matetnal)lace
Thelteudianchild,lwon'tsaythesubject)isnotinitiatedinanotalstage.
litstolallheotsheopensntoamouth,theopenmoutholascteam,butalso
theclosedmouthatthebteast,withwhichitisattachedinanidentihcation
moteancientthananyidentihcationwithalace-aswellasthemouthslightly
open,detachingitsellltomthebteast,inahtstsmile, ahtstlunnylace,thelu
tuteolwhichis thinking.Themouthis theopeningolego,ego is theopening
olthemouth.Andthete,whatcomestopassisthatitspacesitselloutcsqai
sassecesqai/s esace . ,ibid. , p. i6z)
Sscsnd.Nowheteintheanalysisthatwehavej ustlollowedinthelast
pagesolEgs sam andthe teletence tolteud's1hepsycheis extended,
knowsnothingaboutit) ,doweencountetanyallusiontotouch,atleast
undetthisname, sinceallthatthemouthdoesbeloteotality, all thatis
abundantlyevokedhete ,eating, sucking, spitting,andsolotth) ishatdly
loteigntotactility. ut thewotd touchingisnotmentionedandsell-
touchingevenless. ltlutthetseemstomethatthisisthecasethtoughout
this book, ltom beginning to end, despite its pteoccupation with the
ptoblemolssn/i,leeling,sensing, andnotj ustintheCattesiansense
Sacings i
olthewotd ,see,e. g. , ibid. , p. i6) . 1his isadecisivepoint,sinceNancy
datingly,isn'tittisky:)insctibesDescattes'sssn/iandhisptopetlyspeak-
ingitiswhatisinmecalledleeling undettheheadingolhction.
. . . et_sic certeciderecideorroerspeangitiswhatisinmecalledleel-
ing. ptoolthatthise/ingmosroer,mostroerspeaking,evidenceitsel
d opposedtoanysyllogism) ,testingonleintotconsistingentitelyolit,alsoim
plies nothingbutthehctionthatletsitbeestablished Moteespecially, itthus
impliesnothingastothetealnatuteolthesubjectolthisleeling,itthusimplies
neithetthespitituality notthecotpoteality olthissubject. ,ibid.,p. i,6. )
Soitmaybe. ut,ltomDescattes'spointolview canonesaythesame
olthisleelingonesellleel _ssssn/issn/i , thetatgethete, nodoubt, ol
theptopetlyand the mostptopet, whichl leltl had to emphasize:
lsn'tthistheplacewheteitallplaysitsellout:lsn'titinthisplaceolteap-
ptoptiationthatthesimple,phenomenologicaldimensionolsensing, ol
leelingthat one leels, olleelingonesellleel, spititualizesotdecotpo-
tealizesexpetience:ltlollowsthat-atleastlotDescattes-puteleeling,
leelingonesellleel , wouldindeedbespititualandnotatallcotpoteal.
Mutatismutandis, thiswouldbethesamelottheanalogousmomentin
Hussetl'sphenomenology.
And Nancy is thus not naming touch hete. And yet-can it be in-
signih cantthatonceinthisbook,onlyonce,illamnotmistaken) , asil
disttactedlyotthetotically, heseemsto letescapeatouchesitsell that
lookslikeoneolthosedeadothackneyedmetaphotswhoseappeatancel
havevowed, in away, nevetto neglect hete: ltallleads one tothinkthat
Nancy-hete atleast-does not atttibuteanydecisive/hsma/icots/-
/sma/icimpottancetothis.1heexptessionappeatsonlyonce,Nancynei-
thetundetscotesnotanalesit,heneithetintettogatesnottelaunchesit
inanyway.Andyet-isitlottuitousthatthistouchesitsellshouldap-
peathetetegatdingthemouth, whoseplace, spacing, locus without
locus,placewithoutplace,wehavej ustconsideted: lsitlottuitous that
thesubjectolthistouchesitsellispteciselythevetysubjectitsell,Ibut
alaceless, evenabodyless sxcs/lotwhatismouthlikeinit:
eloteweaskoutselveswhathappensthen,letmequoteanexcetpt,at
least,ltomthesepagesandtheitample,tightwebbing,whichoneshould
teconstituteeachtime,onceandlotall,letushetetecallthisduty,which
isasimpetativeasitisunwotkable) .Atoundacettanlthattouchesit-
sell ,othimsellothetsell) otis touched _ ssetouche . . , heteisa


)
z hisIs-s /hsO/hs
lacelessmouth, but also thewotds. utthat isstillsayingtoo much,
which,withthenextsttoke _/ai/} ,seemteadytotettacteachwotd-te-
ttactingiteithetbyellacingitotinotdetto neuttalizeitsliteta|itybydint
olttopes.Andheteagain,itistheptedicateopenclosedthatis decisive
ovetall,themouth thusbecomesthatwhich,byopening, hasthelook
ottheshapeolamouth) .
Unum quid asomethingthatisneithet-soul-notbody, opensitsmouth and
ptonouncesotconceivesegosum. 8utthatisstill sayingtoomuch. Unum
quidhasno mouth thatitcould manipulateandopen,anymotethananin
telligencethatitcouldexetcisetoteectuponitsell.Yetsomething-unum
quid-opens,itthushasthelookottheshapeolamouth)andthisopening
isatticulated,itthushasthelookoladiscoutse,henceolthought) , andthis
atticulatedopeninglotms inanexttemeconttaction.
Atoneblow,itlotmsitseqasinaconvulsion,itexpetiences,itthinksit
sell.touchesitsell istouched, ithxesitsell going-saying-laisant
disantc . ,ibid. ,p.i,;)
elotecattying onwiththeteading olthis passage andseeingthemo-
mentolautoallection,thetactilehguteolputeauto-ahection,thesell-
touches, comelotth one must take note ol/hssthingsatleast.
i.Exttemeconttaction .ittutnstheatticulatedopeningintoanauto-
ahection,atettactionintoonesell,aneconomicsell-gatheting.1hisecon-
omycitcumsctibestheopeningandlotcesittodetetmineitsellandnot
bej ustanythingwhatsoevetotwhosoevet.1he lowesas muchtothe
csn/ac/andthegathetedsttokeot/ai/olthisconttactionolonesell,with
onesell)astotheopeningitsell,thatis, olwhatiscalledthemouth,hete,
belotethelace.1hewotdconttactionisimpottant. Shottlyaltetwatd,
thewotdconttactutetakesovet. etweentheoccuttencesolthesetwo
wotds,this same movementisdesctibedasaconvulsion. Atthe begin-
ningolthischaptetdevotedtounumquid,Nancyannouncesaconvul-
sionolCattesianthought, hisconvulsion-aconvulsionthat,statting
withDescattes,philosophicthinkinghastelusedtoconltont, asitsown
convulsion, heeventuallyconcludes,ibid. , pp. r
)
r , r |)
1hetetmsspasmandsyncopeatetegulatlyassociatedwiththewotd
convulsion 1hese wotds saywhathappens to the body andallects it,
butnotnecessatilyasadisotdetotdiseaseottosignidisjunctionotsim-
pledeleatolwhatthenbecomesunhinged,unjoined,but,ontheconttaty,
Sacings
whete.Thequestionol thejointmakesupthelastquestioni nDescattes
itconcetnsthesoulandthebodyadj oining ,ibid. , p. ii) 1hen,inthis
sell-commotion tesembling a ,diastolicsystolic) heattbeat as much as a
syncope,a thythmicalviolenceconcenttates. ltisagathetingin anintet-
tuption, thecutthatopens andshuts the mouth. Thteeyeatseatliet, in
i6,NancyhadpublishedLsdiscsasdsasncssJ. Lsgsdasdaas. ' n-
lessonemobilizesthisentiteeatlietwotk,onemighth nditsomewhatdil-
hcult,itseems to me, to teadwhatNancysaysheteabouttheconvulsive
conttactuteolthemouththat/sachssi/sswhenitlotmsi/ssas/
z. The discoutse on the conttactute atound the noise l , ego, ot
even o, doesnotseemmoteattih cialotlotcedthanthisentitethemat-
icsinvolvingthemouth. ltsulhcestokeepinmindDescattes'sinsistence
onptonunciation, ontheineluctableptonouncementolEgo sum, ego
existo-andontime,onthiseachtimeoltheptolleteduttetances-
a/isn} ,whichcannotbeteducedtoametelyenunciateduttetancensn-
cia/isn Wotds seem tobecattied _s/s bythemouth beyond theit
metediscutsiveteach s/s . NotonlydoesNancyplacethispassageol
theSecondMeditation,inLatin) atthebeginningolhisbookinanepi-
gtaph ,. . . deniquestatuendumsithocptonuntiatum.Egssam, sgs sx-
is/s, quotiesame ptolettut,velmenteconcipitut,necessatioessevetum) ,
healso ptoposesanexplanatotyttanslationlotit, thewhole pedagogical
signihcationolwhichissell-evident. theellectiveptolletingolanuttet-
ance sa/isns/a iswhathas to countthemost ,accotdingto
Nancy, becausehis intetptetation isspecial in this, and mote canonical
teadetswillnodoubtbetemptedtotesistit) , andnotthemeteconcep-
tionolsomethinginmymind dansmsnssi/, msn/scsncii/a , al-
thoughDescattes seems tohaveconsideted the lattetequivalent to the
lotmet,quotiesameptolettut,velmenteconcipitut) .Nancy'sexplana-
totyttanslationdelibetatelyandmassivelythtowsanyequivalenceotsym-
mettyollbalance,itseemstome,andlavotstheptolleting.Heptivileges
theptopositioninasmuch as itcsmss/hsa/sidss/hsmindandthete
wheteDescattes,inadecisionpetlotmedbyanothetpetlotmative,might
wanttoconletuponitsomephilosophicalstatusotlegitimacy-asilcon-
ceptionwithin the mindweteadoubleota copy, otinanycasesome-
thingdependenton the ptolleteduttetingact ac/ss/sis . Hete,
then,isNancyseloquentttanslation,whichspeakslotitsell . . . hnally,
one musttule, establish, decide, etect as astatueandloundas astatute
)| IhisIs-s/hs O/hsr
that this ptonouncement, this ptonounceduttetance, this enunciatedut-
tetance,Iam,Isxis/, isnecessatilyttueevetytimethatlptolletanduttet
it, ptoposeand ptonounceit,otthatl conceiveitinmymind, otthatit
isconceivedinmymind,otbymymind ,ibid. , p. ;) .
)
. linally, theteisthepassagetoIsell-touches ,whichlshallquote in
amoment,atlonglast) .ltexplainsthegenesisolthel , autoallectionin
its tactile hgute Itouches itsell . ) , addtessing itsellto /si, you,
thou. Simultaneously,thetei sapassagetothesecondpetsonandthela-
miliatuseol/a, you ,whichisdilhcultto ttanslateintoEnglish,lotex-
ample) .1hislamiliataposttophe, /a, signs, allatonce, thegenetal singu-
latity, theplutalsingulatityolanypossibleaddtessee,anabtuptlamiliatity,
whichintettuptsthehabitualneuttalityolphilosophicaldiscoutseat the
vetymomentwhenl makesitsenttance,andaboveall,itsignsthepos-
sibilityottheneedlotthesaidl ,assoonasittouchesitsell)toaddtess
itsell, tospeaktoitsell, totteatolitsell,in asoliloquyintettuptedinad-
vance) asans/hsr. Nosoonetdoes l touch itsell than itis itsell-it
conttactsitsell, itconttactswithitsell, butas ilwithanothet. ltaddtesses
itselltoitsellandsays/atoitsel Hownottousethelamiliatyouwith
onesell:1houttyestit,youttyit.We couldsaythattheconttactuteolthe
conttact, theconttactionandtheconvulsion ,these beingthewotds that
dominatethiswholeanalysisolunum quid) leatutethe/rsa/msn/ol_sn/
/rai/ . ,ttaceout,andgiveitssingulatttaitto,thisunavoidablylamil-
iataddtessolonesell-olonesellasthehtstotthelastothet.AnI, thete
wheteitis,sell-) /salhsd Loa ss/sachs,uns] utIsell-touchesspac-
ing itsellout, losing contact with itsell, ptecisely in touching itsell lt
switches ollthe contact, itabstains ltomtouching, soas to touch itsell.
asetouche,un|e. hetetheltenchssanditsgtammattemainetet-
nally unttanslatable 1his accident is all the mote intetesting since it
touchesontheidiom,ptecisely-ontheunttanslatablesingulatityatthe
vetyheattitsellolttanslation l se touche means that it othe sell-
touchesitsellothimsell,inaloop,withthemouthlip-synchingtheloop-
ing-olacitcle,litetallyolan otazet) ltalsomeansthatitotheis
touched,touchable,byanyothetwhatsoevet) setutoiesignihesthat
heissayingsatohimsellot itsell, otheot itis being addtessed inthis
way-heis/a/sa//s, addtessablewith/a,byanyothetwhatsoevet) Heis
alteady,asl, like, theothets muted,stillyou, andhisptopetlyown
stillyou. Setouchettoi. tosell-touchyou, Nancywillwtite Latet.
Sacings
)
1hesyncopatedconvulsion,thisconttactiono l theinsideandtheout-
side,isalsothis,stillandspoken /as/di/ ) discoutse,adilletenceatthe
heattoftheI theatticulationthatcanbedisatticulatedolanego, anego
capable oltouchingitto theheattintouchingits heatt. lsn't the heatt
memoty:lsn'titthinkingsmemoty:1hinkingasmemoty:We shallsale-
guatdthetecollection,thecatdiogtamolthiscatdio-ogyltomoneendol
this bookto theothet-asitalsowtites itsellotis wtitten on theheatt
andonthehand, ilnotwithawholeheattedhandotalteehandedheatt
-especiallywhenwelendaneattoacettainheattsensationinHusset
'
hisszgh/,inthehaptologicalmomentolIdsas' lnthemeantime,
heteisahtstdiaphtagm.
. . . andthisatticulatedopeninglotmsI inanexttemeconttaction.
Atoneblow,itlotmsitseas/inaconvulsion,itexpetiences/, itthinksit-
sell! /touchesitsell, istouched, ithxesitselgoing-saying-laisant
disant-c . lmaginealacelessmouth,whichistosaythesttuctuteolamask
onceagain.openholes,and themouthopeningin themiddleolthe eye, locus
olvisionandtheoty,diaphtagmaticallyttavetsed-openandshutsimultane
ously-byaptoeteduttetance)
'
alacelessmouth,then,mouthingthetingol
itsconttactuteatoundthenoisel. You ta expetiencethisdaily,eachtime
youateptonouncingotconceivingegoinyoutmind,eachtime,andthishap
penstoyoudaily) youatelotmingthe olthe htst petson ,indeedtherst
theteisnothingbeloteit) .egcogitexist. An lomstheimmediateloop
olyoutexpetience.Ttuly, itisolthatwhichitisandthatitundetgoestheex
petienceitmakes-thatitmakesotrmsbecauseitcannotcit. ,bid. ,p. i,;
1hisdilletencebeeenma/ingotming, ontheone hand, and/sing,
ontheothet,theexcessol shisningovetssssncs,withonemakinguplot
theothet, one cominginlieuolthelackotimpossibilityoltheothet, all
that,nodoubt,isthelawol c/isn,attheotiginol s/ingsnsssas/sach-
ingsnsss thetewheteitisnot, one will havehadto ma/s, toshisn,to
a/as, togas.Whetethetaking-placeoltheeventdoesnthnditsplace
-agapinglocus, indeed,amouth-exceptins/csmsn/wheteitdoesn't
ndtoomexceptin teplacement-isn'tthatthe ttaceolmetonymyot the
technicalptosthesis,andtheplacelotthephantasmaswell, thatistosay,
the ghostlytevenant ,han/asma) , attheheatt ol,sell-)leeling:1he tev-
enant,betweenlileanddeath,dictatesanimpossiblemoutning,anendless
moutning-lile itselatelyvisiblesceneolthis moutning. itpettansto
asacingthatis itteducibleotevenhetetogeneousintelationtoanexten-
sio ltomwhich,howevet,oneshould notdissociateit. ''
}
his !s Ay DOdy
Point /rccd, Countcroint

Mourning P,chc,
cnd thc Hcnd o. . .
Howisonetotakeupagaintheptopetolunumquid: 1hedebate
necessatilyunloldsatoundaninextensionolthemind, otanonexten
sionolthemind, thusasandlsyche,inasmuchasshecanbeunitedto
thewholebody, extended,sttetchedout, subjected-andsheliesdown
on het couch in the coutse olthis union, ot even with a view to this
anisn,whichwillalwayslooklikeahction,quasipetmixtio.
Ananimateddebate atoundthe animationolinanimate lsyche. i tis
ai/hDescattesthatNancythusotganizesthisAassinandsss/zang-tb
him,whollyalongsideandagainsthim,tepeatingagains/him,butthtough
this mouthpiece andaboutthemouth,whattheinventotolthemodetn
subectandits ttuththought,withoutthinking,inthevetyuttetance
olthecsgi/s.
1heteatesevetalvoices,thetelote, in thisseteneandsubtlealtetcation
withDescattesthusventtiloquized.Althoughlsycheisinmoutningand
the moutning batelyacknowledged, she collects hetsell, making a pto-
nouncement.1heptonouncingolahnalj udgmentgoesthtoughtheopen-
ing sm/sachas olthemouth,tobesute,butwecouldsaythat,besides
theplacesthusidentihed, itgoesthtoughasingulatpoint,andthepoint
namedsin/. lotthesoulisunitedtotheahs/sbody, anditcouldnotbe
citcumsctibedinonea/olthebody, beitapoint.Accotdingly, Nancy
analyzesthedsa//scsn/adic/isneopatdizingthehypothesisolaanc/aa/
spatialization olthe mindsuchas the theotyolthe pinealglandand the
animalspititsinhabitingit.ltisconttadictotytothinkolthemindasan
extension, but it is also conttadictotyto thinkolextension as a point.
Hencethevoluminoushguteolaglandwhosesouldoesnotinhabitthe
IhisIsM Bsd
) /
inside,steetingi t likeapilot.Hence,also,theinctedibletheoteticalcon-
tottionsDescattesengagesinsoas tosa//i/izsthebodyintheglandand
theanimalspitits,'inotdettosmixbodyandmind. lltheglandisthis
imptobable somewhete, alsoan unum quid, ' andilunum quid' pto-
nouncesego' , Nancy, numquid, pp. r|||
,r

) , thenthealtetca-
tionwithDescatteshndsitsspacehete,atleastheteinthisbook,Egssam) ,
thatis,notinthequestionoltheheattotolthebody,butonasttangetta-
jectoty between an imptobable pineal gland and a mouth ltom belote
speechas/s ,anopeningstillanotalandalteadytouching.
Digtession.WhythisaltetcationwithDescattes,tathetthanwithAtis-
totleotKant:)ltcouldbeexplainedbytheneedsoasttategy,withtelet-
encetothesa/sc/,thisconceptolmodetnttadition,ilonecanputitlike
that, andmote pteciselyto/hs/a/hs/hissa/sc/,which oneoltenasso-
ciates with Descattes ,though the wotd subj ect, sensu stticto, is not
CattesianbuttathetKantian) , notablyindiscoutsesmatkedbyHeideg-
getianismotLacanism. Nancy's sttategyseemseat. 1henonextension
olthemind appeats, thetelote, aswhatthe uniondemandsas muchas
whatthedistinctionguatantees.Whatisdemandedandguatanteedinthis
wayistheunityolthesubjectas itsttut ,ibid. , p. r|
)
AltetcationwithDescattes-aswewetesaying-tathetthanwithKant,
ottistotle.
WhynotwithKant,whopaidmoteattention,nodoubt, toanysub-
jectivityolthesubjectthanDescattesdid,andtowhatwecalltouching
_/s/sachs} `
lsitbecauseKantislundamentallymute,takenaback,whenconltonted
withthebody,conltontedwiththeunionolthesoulandthebody:1his,
atleast,iswhatNancyptolletedthteeyeatseatlietinLsdiscsasdshsn-
cssLsgsdasda/as,aluminous,inventivebook,socheetlulitleavesone
bteathless,itbutstswiththelaughtetolthought-atthevetyplacewhete
itleadsustothinkthethinkingollaughtetandolsyncopesandsyncopa-
tion, the conttetemps, and also the countetpointthat gathets and up
holds,inotdettokeepitalltogethet,dissociationitsel
1hus, Kantthephilosophethasnothingtosayaboutthe esh,about
thephilosophet's esh,abouthisunionolthesoulandthebody.inase-
quencethatweshallhavetoteconstitute,Nancynamesaconnectionbe-
tweenthebodyandthoughtaboutwhichKantthephilosophet,inttuth,
hasns/hingtosay , Nancy,Lsgsdasda/as, p. r|

)
'
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
Kantthephilosophet,hesays.Doesn't thiscautiouspinpointingsug
gestthatthisKantisdistinctltomanothetone,aKantwithoutcovet,yet
tobediscoveted:1hecontextolthis demonsttation isimpottantlotus.
loteveniltouchingotsell-touchingassuchisnotmentionedinit, even
ilNancy doesntappeatexptesslyto dtawltom this tich vein which l
shal| call ltenchhetetosavetime,andtowhichweshalltetutnlatet),
it deals withasyncopeolcontact,aquasi-mastutbatotyauto-allection,
anditcomesdowntoautoetotismlosti npleasute,sinkinginsyncopated
laughtet.Andsoitisacettainwayolsell-touchingwithouttouching,ot
touchingonesellandintettuptingthecontact, buta contact, atactility,
that nevetthelesssaccssds in in/sa/ingi/ss lt succeeds insettingup
contact, insettingitsellupascontact, in thus touchingitsellin in/s-
a/ingi/ssat the momentwhen it'ssuspending-oteven lotbidding
otabstaining-itsell, tosuchapointthatit'sholdingitsbteath,soasto
giveitsell, still,withinthesyncope,thepleasuteolwhichitisdeptiving
itsell.1his iswhatmakeslaughtetlaugh-laughtet, thehctive notion
ot litetaty tool) lot thephilosophet's ptesence to himsellot hetsell
ibid. , p. r|) .
Laughtetcanensutetheconditionsolpossibilitylotcontentment,conscious
nessrteason)onlythtoughasinkingerte intopleasute,thesyncopeoand
inpleasuteitselOnecannotidenti[thisjoltotshakingwiththecontinual
andptogtessivethtoboladiscoutsemachine _machinede discoars] ,ptecisely
instead,thejoltdisinsutessuchadiscoutse-andlaughtetcommunicates ,`)
withlitetatute. ,llautoetotismisconstitutiveothgutativeolmetaphysicalau-
tology,thenonehastosaythattheaatobothteboundsandtuptutesinKant-
ianlaughtet,thatanothercomeslotthwhoisnotnecessatilytheothetsexbut
the same, pethaps, undecidingitsell-ambivalent, ot pettihed mdas] , ot
bothatoncesell-pettihedanddeptivedolSell . . . Thisaltetationgametakes
placeeachtimevitz wit intetvenes.
We have agteedthatKant, too, inventedthething-in-itsell -unknow-
ableaccotdingto him-on the basis olthecasttation complex inwhich
onanistic anguishand hetmaphtoditic complexesplay atoleaswell.The
thing-in-itsellwouldthusbethething-unto-Kant. . . . ,GeotgGtoddeck,
lettettoSigmundlteud,Mayp, tpzz)

Whatisat issue is not onlyasyncope desctibedanddiscoutsedupon,but
asyncopeodiscoutse.indeed,thesalutatyptopettyollaughtetcanonlybe
undetstoodaroximate, to explain it, onemustinvoke aconnectionbe-
tweenthebodyandthoughtaboutwhichKantthephilosophet,inttuth,has
IhisIsM Bsd ) )
nothingto say ,loti f we admitthatwith all outthoughtsi s hatmonically
combinedamovementintheotgansofthebody. . . ) .
Theunion ofthesoul andthebody ,this uniongiviugitselfsexual aits
hete) , this union which is also the sublime union ofthought and the un-
thought ,thenonteptesented)-this unionwhichisn't one, andisn'tthete-
unionoftwootdetsottwosubstances, butis, ifitissomething, thephiloso-
phet'sesh, this union ofthe hetetogeneous is not the obj ect ofsome
knowledge Whatisyoutopinionaboutthe union _Cemeinscha] ofsoul
andbody,aboutthenatuteofmind,aboutcteationintime`lhavenoopin-
ionwhatsoevetaboutthat. . . . encethisquestionisnecessatyand,inte-
gatdtotheobject,canonlybeanswetedsubjectivelythiskno.
Letusacceptasawotkinghypothesis thatNancyis tight. Kant the
philosophethasnothingtosayabouttheunionolthesoulandthebody.
1hishypothesisdoes notexclude two othets, and it is temptingto lot-
mulatethem inthelollowingway.
J. Nophilosophet,assuch,hasevethadanythingtosay,philosophically,
about the theme lotmulated in this way. the union olthe souland the
body-Descattesnomotethananyothet.Andonthispoint,Kantmocks
Descattes,j ustatthepointwhen-andthisisthesecondhypothesis.
2. Nolongetasaphilosophet,thistime,butasananthtopologist,sup
posing, then,thatthisdelimitationisteliableandpettinent,likethede-
limitation between his Ci/iqass andhisAn/hss/sgysm aPagma/ic
Psin/slsa) , Kantspeaksoltheunionolthesouland thebody, lotex-
ample,olsensibilityand, singulatly, oltouch. Cettainly, inLsgsdasda/as,
NancyevokestheAn/hss/sgyheteandthete-we'lgettothis-andal-
waysinatathetacute, otiginal,andellipticallashion. utsincethisisa
time whenthequestionoltouchas such does notyetintetestNancy, he
teletsneithettoKant'sitonyaboutDescattes'stovingspeculation nottoa
sottolKantianshotttteatise olthehvesenses, andtheteloteoltouchin
patticulat.
Let us tesume and sketch an analysis that might this time be titled
Kant'sHand, beloteHussetl'sandHeidegget's . thehandthatsigns,
andthehandthatheanalyzes,andhtstolallthehandolKantpointing
toDescattesanddetidinghim.Kantdistinguishesbetweenman'shsis-
/sgica/knowledgeandptagmaticknowledge,thatis,betweenthestudyol
whatna/ashasmadeolmanandwhatmanhasssqmadeolhimsell,be-
yondtacialotnationalpeculiatities,asacitzenolthewotld,///ags) ,
! !
andhehandsdownanunappealablevetdicttegatdingthelotmet,namely,
|o IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
allegedphysiologicalknowledge. the discoutsesonemayattemptwithin
itabouttheunionolthesoulandthebodyateputespeculation,theyate
pointlesstatiocinations, unintetestingandunptohtablequibbles, asheet
waste oltime. Hete a vetb keeps coming up like an accusation, it is
csnans/n, that is, tospeculate, split haits, tatiocinate.Andinthis in-
dictment,Descattesistheaccused.
Hewhopondetsaboutnatutalphenomena,loteampleaboutthecauseslot
thelacultyolmemoty,sErinnerangscermcgen),canspeculatetoandlto ,in
theCattesianlashion) ,hinandhernachdem Cartesias rnne/n) onthe
ttacesolimptessionswhichkeeplingetinginoutbtain,but,indoingso,hehas
toadmitthatheisametespectatotinthisgameolhisimaginationandthathe
hastoleaveevetythingentitelytoNatute,sinceheknowsneithetthecetebtal
netvesandhlaments nottheitopetationwhentheycattyouthis intentions.
Such speculativetheotizingis asheetwasteoltime ,mithina/es theoretische
rnne/n hier/erreinerr/astist) . '
Ontheothethand,whetephysiologicalanthtopologymustholdback
ltom saying anythingwhatsoevet ,as Descattes wouldhave done) , an
thtopologyltomaptagmaticpointolviewhasmuchtoteachus. utis-
n't this h nallywhatDescattes told ltincess Eliaeth in the lettetthat
Metleau-lontycitesandthatl havej ustquoted in n. ? : ln patticulat,
ptagmaticanthtopologyinlotmsotteaches us,since this is out concetn
hete,onthesubectolthesenseolthehvesenses-notonlyonthesu
j ectolsensibility,Sinn/ich/si/) ,aslaculty_ca//} toknowthtoughin-
tuitiveteptesentation,comptisingbothsenseandimagination,thelattet,
andthelast-mentionedconnection, iswhatmattetsmostolalltoNancy
inLsgsdasda/as) , not only on thesubjectolaninnetsense, notonlyon
thesubj ectolcotpoteal sensationsknownasvital , l/a/smndang) ot
ssnsascagas,butonotganicsensation,Ogansmndang) otssnsasxas.
Now, itispteciselyinthislattetcategoty, thatistosay,sx/sna/cotpoteal
senses assignedto bodilysgans, on thesubj ectolthishamanbodyns/
ai/hsa/sgans,thatKantthinksthattheteatethingstosay,andhasthings
tosay, ltomaptagmaticand,aboveall,anthtopologicalpointolview.
Hence the hand, andthe hngets-andwe ate comingto them.1he
sensesshouldbehveinnumbetnomoteandnolewet, heconhtms
theobjectiveones,/ac/as, cisas,aadi/as)andthesubectiveones, gas/as, o/-
c/as) .1helotmetconttiutemotetoknowledge,andamongthemtouch
,Bs/as/ang) comess/, atleastinaccotdancewithcettainctitetia.Which
IhisIsM Bsd |r
ones:1o theextentthattouchi stheonlysenseolimmsdia/sextetnalpet
ceptionandthustheone btinginusthegteatestcettainty, itisthemost
impottantotthemost setious one ,aich/igs/s) , althoughitistheclumsi
est, gc/s/s) amongtheextetnalsenses.lnawayitistheloundationolthe
othet twoobjectivesenses, sight and heating.1hese mustotiginallybe
teletted ,asng/ich /szsgsn asdsn msssn) to touch in otdetto pto-
duceempiticalknowledge ,amEhangss/snn/nisssic}zacsschan)
,Kant,An/hss/sgy, p. |z) .
Suchahietatchicalattangementiswithoutanydoubtpattolthegteat
ttaditionthataccotdsanabsoluteptivilegetotouchanddoes notletitsell
beenctoacheuponbythepossibility,btieyandpootlyevokedbyKant)
olanyvicatiousness olthesenses , licaia/dsSinns) .1his tactilistot
haptocentticttaditionextendsatleastuntilHussetlandincludeshim
hisotiginalpattwi|lbediscussedlatet.1hettaditionbecomescomplicated,
withthetiskolbeingintettupted,inMetleau-lonty, asweshallalsosee,
whenthelattetseemstoteinstateasymmettythatHussetlchallengesbe-
tweenthetouching-touchableandtheseeing-visible.
Now, intheKantianpetiodolthisttadition, itisindeedsuitablelota
ptagmatican/hss/sgytoknowthelundamental,lounding,andotiginaty
signihcationoltouch, lottheonlyotgantowhichKantasctibesthisot-
ganicsenseisthehand, thehumanhand-thehngetsandthehngettips,
inttuth.1hesenseoltouchhasitsapptoptiateplaceinthehngettipsand
thenetveendings,thepapillae.1hesenetveendingsinlotmus,humanbe-
ings,aboutthelotmolasolidbody. lndeed, onecouldaskonesellwhich
waythedietencebetweenthephysiologicalandptagmaticpointsolview
goeshete.1hisway, nodoubt.ilitisnatutethathasptovidedthehand, so
tospeak,ithasgivenittohumanbeingsonly,andbythusmakinghuman
beings, ithas then allowedthemlteelyto make themselves, patticulatly
thtoughobjectiveknowledge,theguidingthteadolthisanalysis.Andwhat
Kantanalyzesis not thesttuctuteolthepapillaeandthenetvoussystem,
otthe link with thought, and so lotth, tathet, itis what human beings
ma/sai/h/hsihands. ltcomesdowntotheitphenomenal expetienceol
thehand,asitwete.AndoneistemptedtosuggestthatKantoutlinesot
pteh gutes,withinthelimitsolananthtopology, aphenomenologica| ot
ptephenomenologicalteductionthattequitesacompatisonwithHussetl's
gestute inIdsasII to bediscussedlatet. 1he hand's h nality,whatnatute
putswithinteacholthehumanhand,andonlythehumanhand,whatit
allowshumanbeingstomake/ handwiththehand,thankstothehand.
|z IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
allthatistheptopetobjectolaptagmaticanthtopology. lot Kant, asHei
deggetandsomanyothetswilltepeatlatet,animalspossessnothingthat
canbecompatedtoahand Natuteseemstohaveendowedmanalone
withthisotgan,sothatheisenabledtolotmaconceptolabodybytouch-
ingitonallsides.1heantennaeolinsectsseemmetelytoshowtheptes
enceolan object, theyate not designedto exploteits lotm ,Kant,An-
/hss/sgy,p. |r) '
Kantinsistspteciselyonlotm. Sincetheptivilegedpositionol touchis
dehnedheteltomthepointolviewolobjectiveknowledge,itisadvisable
tosetapattltomitallthathasto dowithvitalimptessions , li/a/sm-
ndang, ssnsascagas) ,thatwhichisnotspecihctoanotgan,Ogansmn-
dang ssnsasxas) andthat, thtoughtouch,leadsustosensesomething
othetthanlotmscoldnessandheat,soltnessandtoughness.
LetusnoteinpassingthatalthoughNancydoesnotmakeanyallusion
to this anthtopologyoltouch inKant inLsgsdasda/as, itseems to me,
hetehealteadyundetscotesattopeoltouch.Aametethetoticalhgute,it
is amatkthatthe ptoblematicotthematics oltouchhave notyetbeen
btoached,assuch,atthisdate,buttheitpointalteadyappeats, anditis
pointedlythete,aboveall,likethepointytipolanantenna,ascoutatthe
loteltont, in this vety acute place whete it always comes lotth subse
quently.stillvetyclosetoapoint,anduponalimit.lotNancy, itisalways
amattet oltouchingwhatiswell-nighat the limitnotto be touched
namely,thelimititsell,andthepoint'sextteme,pointedtip.1hus,thesen-
tencequotedj ustbelowis all the motetematkablebecause, inevoking
Kant'sAn/hss/sgy,butatthesametimeignotingitstheotyoltouch) , it
hastodopteciselywiththehguteandwithsensiblehgutationinich/ang
poetty . Letustead theselines,whichdesctibeacouplingandwhat then
toucheswithitspointedtip. 1heyalsolollowatematkable,abyssalde-
velopmentabouttheltatetnal , Kantdixi/) otevenanincest , Nancy
dixi/) , between the undetstanding and sensibility, locus olschematism,
placeolattconcealed inthedepths olthesoul, olich/ang, sensible
powetotsensiblehgutationolthispowet,andsolotth.utlotthetime
beingthisopetationismotenattowlyintetestinglotushete, intheAn-
/hss/sgy, itcouplesundetstandingwithsensibleimagination. Now,while
thepowetolich/angtemains,tothelettetolthetext,limitedtosensi
bility,itnonetheless/sachssonundetstanding,withitspointedtip,Nancy,
Lsgssda/asp. ro)

Hete endsthedigtession,otanticipation.

IhisIsM Bsd |
Havingtakennoteinr)/thatKantthephilosophethadnothingto
sayabout the union ofthesou| andthebody, nothing about theHesh,
aboutmsamcsas, otthebodyptopet, Nancy, fotwhomitisthething
itself,tutnedtowatdDescattes'ssgssamfotthispolyphonicandventtilo-
quizedaltetcation-betweenthemouthandthepinealgland.
etKantistheonetowhomlteudtutned,againstwhomhetutned,in
theaphotismbequeathedbythemotibundmanwhoptoclaimedonhis
deathbed, lsyche ist ausgedehnt, the leitmotivofNancy's lsyche
lteud htstfotmedahypothesis,infoutlines,heca|ledupapossibility, a
mete|yptobableone. utno mattet howdenseandelliptica|the|ogicof
thismeteptobability, itsaimis not toput thesouloutside,toexpe|the
soulintoaspaceotontoanextensionthatwouldbehtstanditteducibly
givento us-fami|iatlythete, on theoutside,extetiot. Ontheconttaty,
the spatialityofspace, itssx/sisi/wouldonlybe an outsideptojection
ofanin/sna/andssqssa/ingschica/extension. lnshott,theout-
sidewouldonlybeaptojection'ltisinthissense,nthisditection,ftom
intetnalextensiontowatdextetnalextension, towatdthespatialityofspace
-theonlyextetiotitywotthyofthename) , as enigmaticasthistemains,
thatthelteudian ,thatis, putelyschs/sgica/) detivation isittevetsibly
otiented.ltwouldbedifhcult,appatent|y, topushpsychologismanyfut-
thet. ls this diffetent ftomwhat Nancyimpotts ftomthiswhen he in-
vetselyputstheoutsideinside:Andwhenhesaysthatlsycheisextended,
andthusoutside,ishethinkingofaptojectioneffect,aslteud,litetal|y,
seemstobedoing:Ot,ontheconttaty,ofanextetiotitytesistinganypto-
jectionevenifitmakespossib|esomeptojection c/s`
lsthisagoodquestion:Whatdietenceisthetebetweenthetwo,andis
thete one, htst ofall :ls lteud mote otless psychologizing than Nancy:
Doesone stil|psychologizewhen one assettsthatthepsycheis extended
thoughnotyetspatial,andthattheteisanintetnalextension:Whatwou|d
anonspatial extensionbe,onesti|lwithoutan outside-thepsychicalex-
tensionftomwhich, /ssc/isn,onewoulddetivespace:Mustoneput
theentiteweightoftheatgumentonthewotdappatatus, whichlteud
wtotetwice: lndeed,befotesayinglsyche,hetepeatspsychicalappata-
tus. lsitthe appatatus that sx/snds i/ss`ls thatwhich is extended a
topo|ogicalsttuctutetathetthan pute psychiclife:lammultiplyingthese
questionssoastosuggestthattheyatecattiedaway, ontheitown,touch-
ingontheitlossofsense. lnanycase, lteudwtites,theseatetheh tsttwo
sentencesinthis posthumousnotecomptisingonlyfoutinall) . Space
|| IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
maybetheptojectionoltheextensionolthepsychicalappatatus.Noothet
detivationisptobable
1he gtammat olthis last ptoposition desetves a pause. l na negative
mode-otoneoldenial,somewouldunhesitatinglysay-lteudthussug-
geststhattheteisnoothetlikelyotptobable detivation. Hedoesnot
saythatthelattetiscleat,distinct,ttue,otcettain.Heptesentsitonly a
possibility, plausibleotptobable.1hatisthe least one cansay,loton the
conttatynothingismoteunlikelyandconttatytocommonsensethanthis
detivation olspace otspatiality, which is to say, olthe outside, statting
ltomaptojectionolpsychicintetiotity.Whatisptojection,andwhatdoes
thehguteolassc/isnsigniwhetetheteisn'tanyspaceyet: ln ttuth,
nothing is motepatadoxicalandinctedible. Now, thisistheptovocative
schemaolthissttangehypothesis andthisdetivation tetmedptobable,
whichlteudseemstoopposetoKantatthatpoint.
utisitteallyaquestionolopposition:Whatil, latltomgoingagainst
Kant, lteud onlywished to intetptet and tehne the Kantian model by
substitutinglotit,whiletemainingwithinthesamelogic, akindolim-
ptovedlotmalization:1o wit,inthenextsentence,hemakesexplicitwhat
hehasj ustsaidandwtitesinsteadol,ans/a//) . lnsteadolKant'sapti-
otidetetminants oloutpsychicalappatatus. lsyche is extended, knows
nothingaboutit. 1hislastteading,entailingamoteadequateotmote
consequential substitution, but temainingwithin thesamspetspective)
would implythatttanscendentalpsychologizing, otmotepteciselyttan-
scendentalpsychoanalysis,otbettetyetttanscendentalpsychoanalyticaes-
thetics, might accountlotspatialitystattingltoma psychical appatatus
thatwouldindeedhavetobeextendedinotdettocomptise,amongthe
two putelotmslsensibleintuition, anaptiotilotmolextetnalsense.
Kantmightinlactbeseenasptehgutingacettainlteudianlineolatgu-
mentwhenhestates, not inanyAn/hss/sgy thistime, but inthe Ci-
/iqassPasRsassn.
Tbeteptesentationofspace _dierste//angdesRaames] cannot,tbetefote,be
empiticallyobtainedftomtbetelationsofoutetappeatance.Ontbeconttaty,
tbisoutetepetienceisitselfpossibleatallonlythtoughtbat teptesentation
Space is a necessaty ariori teptesentation, wbicb undetlies all outet
intuitions.
Wouldn'tlteudbemoteamenablethanitseemstothelogicolameta-
physical, thenattanscendental,exposition,Ec/sang)oltheconcept
IhisIsM Bsd |;
olspace:Doesn't lteudconh tmthatputeintuition heteolspace must
beloundinusptiottoanypetceptionolanobectandthatconsequently,
it mustbe apute,notempitical,intuition: hetelote,wouldn'titbe a
kindolputesensibility, theinsensiblesensibilityteappeatingasamotilin
HegelandMatx:Andhete,lollowingoutthtead,akindolsensibilitytouch-
ingnothing:Otakindoltouchwithoutempiticalcontact,asell-touching
ot beingtouched without touching anything: lot it is known that the
tecognitionotatttibutionolextensiontossms/hingotssmssns,lotexam
ple, tolsyche,whichandwhoisboth) does notsulhcetomakeabody, a
tangible body. heputelotmolsensibility, pute intuition,evenwithout
anyactualobectolthesensesotolsensation, existsinthemind,imCs-
ma/hs) aisiasametelotm olsensibility. Kantinsists on it. in the
teptesentationolabody,whenonehasdetachedwhatcomesltomtheun-
detstanding,substance,lotce,divisibility) andwhatcomesltomsensation
,impenettability, hatdness,colot) ,thetestilltemainssomethingolempiti-
calintuition. extension,Aasdshnang)andh gute,Css/a//) .
ltwill not have escaped theattentionolanyoneintetestedin touch,as
we ate hete, thatamongptopettiesaccessibletosensationatetheptopet-
ties that ate tangible pat excellence, that is to sayimpenettability , |n-
dachding/ich/si/) andhatdness ,/s) , tangibleptopettiesthatKants
An/hss/sgysmaPaga/icPsin/s isaexcludesltomotganicsensi-
bilityinotdettolockthemintoavitalteceptivity,l/a/smndang, ssnsas
cas) ,withoutotgans,withoutobectiveknowledge.1hesesensiblegivens
olsensationdonotlallwithinputesensibility, ashguteandextensiondo.
Hete, even ilthete is no touchable bodythatdoesnota/ss appeat ex-
tended, extension isnot touchable thtoughthesenses-nomotethanin
Descattes,thoughlottadicallydilletentteasons.ltiswellknownthatthis
motilolttanscendental idealityisoined to an empitical tealism intet-
tuptingtheteductionolappeatances-thatis,phenomena-tometeillu-
sion. Cettainlyitallowsoneto undetstand the movementolthe good
etkeleywholotesawtheabsutditiestowhichatealismolspaceandtime
asptopettiesolthingsinthemselvesleads. utitalsoallowsonetoavoid
etkeley'sabsoluteidealism
lamtecallingthesewell-knownyetalwaysenigmaticmattetslotanum-
betolcontextualteasons. Ontheonehand,itisinotdettottytoundet-
stand lteud's btielallusion to Kant, its ambiguity, and how dilh cult it
mightbetoinHectittowatdanymatetialization,otincotpotation,oteven
incatnationollsyche ,thewotdextendedinitsellmeansneithetaccessi-
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
ble tosensationnot-especiallynot-tangible) . On the othet hand, it is
inotdettoapptoachtheknotofacettaintension.Evenifoneundetstands
thatthelinkbeweenthisttanscendentalidealism, otthis,ttanscenden
tal, fotKant, psychologizing, fotlteud) subectivism, andathinkingof
hnitude ,in/ai/asdsica/icas and so fotth) dehnes a hnitistttaditionin
whichtheauthotof|nssnssnisAlinite1hinking 'maytecognize
himselfupto acettainpoint,evenifthissameallianceofempiticalteal
ism andttanscendentalidealismallowsonetogiveevetyoppottunityto
themovementsofintetptetationandapptoptiationinsensiblepetception,
includingtouch,andthispetceptionisnevettaw,tathet, itinvestsotin-
/ss/sthetangiblestattingftomadesite,adtive, otinanycaseamy
body) ,thefacttemainsthatthemotifofgteatestobstinacy,fotNancyand
inthenameoftouch,consistsintesistinganyidealismotsubectivism,be
itttanscendentalotpsychoanalyticalWhatwoulddtiveoutthiswholetta
dition,nomattethowsttongandnecessaty,istheinsistenceontouch.lot
Nancy,touchtemainsthemotifofasottofabsolute,ittedentist,andpost
deconsttuctivetealism.1hespacingofspaceheexposestotouchtemains
itteducibleto anymathematizable extension andpethapsto anyknowl-
edge-an absolute tealism, but itteducible to any ofthe ttadition's te
alisms.1he1hingtouchesitselistouched,eventhetewheteonetouches
Nothing. Hencefotththis iswhatwe shallhaveto ttyto undetstand, as
well as howtouchand nontouchatesa/q touched andself-touching
withinhnitetact,intowhichNancy'swtiting,hisexacthypetbole,engulfs,
sinks,exhausts,andex-sctibesitsel'
lfoneweteintentonelabotatingtheseKantiandealingsi namotecon-
sequentialfashion,onewouldhavetotutntothe,metaphysicalandttan
scendental)expositionoftheconceptoftime,onewouldhavetogowhete
time is not onlythefotmofaninnetsense, but theaisifotmalcon-
ditionofallappeatanceswhatsoevet, ''a/phenomena,betheyintetnalot
extetnal.Andthete,followinginthefootstepsofHeidegget,'amongoth-
ets,wewouldh ndagain thegteatquestion ofputeauto-affection, pute
self-touching,inthemovementoftempotalization. 1hete,atoundlsyche
,sisachs) , which is to sayatound the gteat question of pute self-
touchingandpteempiticalauto-aection,thedoctotsant,Husset,lteud,
Heidegget,Metleau-lonty, andsomanyothetsclosetbytoo ,whoseopin
ions will beaskedfotlatet) holdwhatiscalledaconsultation, doubtless
callingontheitptecutsotAistotle.1heyoughtto,inanycase-theyshou|d
eithetfollowhimothavedonewithhim.
IhisIsM Bsd |/
Atistotlehasnotleltuslotamoment,eventhoughNancydoesnotin-
vitehimtospeak.Letussttessagainthesingulatplacethattouchhasin
Atistotle'sdiscoutseontheliving-insuchazoology.1ouchistheonly
sensethattheexistenceolthelivingas suchcannotdispensewith 1he
putpose oltheothetsenses is nottoensutethebeingoltheanimalotol
theliving,butonlyits cbeing,AtistotlePsisachs|; ;b;) . ut
withouttouchanimalswouldbeunabletoexist,tbesenseoltouchalone
isnecessatilytheonewhoselossbtingsabouttheanimal'sdeath.ltisev-
ident,thetelote,thatthelossolthisonesensealonemustbtingaboutthe
death olananimal lotas on the one hand nothingwhichis notanani-
malcanhavethissense,soontheothetitistheonlyonewhichisindis-
pensablynecessatytowhatisananimal ,ibid. , |;;b|
/) . Atistotlemea-
sutesthisessentialcoextensivityolanimallileandtouch,healsoexplains
itbyputtingittothetestoldeathWhenananimalisdeptivedolsight,
heating, ottaste, itdoesnotnecessatilydie. Shoulditcometoalackol
touch,howevet, itwilldiewithoutdelay. ,1hislollowsthesetoldistinc-
tionstecalledeatliet'

Amongthesenses, touchisanexception, because

ithasas itsobjectmotethanonequality-inttutb, itpotentiallyhasa/
sensiblequalities. ) Convetsely ,butitistheothetsideolthesamephe-
nomenon) ,animalsalsodiewhenanexcessiveintensityoltouchtouches
them. 1angible excess, hypetbole, comes to desttoythe otgan olthis
touching,whichistheessentialmatkollile ,ibid. , |; ;b) . Couldn'tone
saythatthismsasas, thismodetationoltouch,temainsatthesetviceol
liletothesolesx/sn/, ptecisely, thatsomekindoltesetveholdsitonthe
btinkolexaggetation:Acettaintact,athoushaltnottouchtoomuch,
thoushaltnotl etyoutsellbetouchedtoomuch, oteventhoushaltnot
touchyoutselltoo much, wouldthusbeinsctibedaptioti, likea htst
commandment,thelawolotiginatyptohibition,inthedestinyoltactile
expetienceRitualptohibitionswouldthencometobedetetmined,as-
aad and onlyon the backgtoundolanuntouchabilityas initialas it is
vital, on the backgtound olthis thoushaltnottouch, not too much,
whichwouldn'thaveawaitedanyteligion, titualcult,otneutosisoltouch.
lnthebeginning,theteis abstinence.Andwithoutdelay, unlotgivingly,
touchingcommitspetjuty.
1ouching,then,is aquestionollileanddeath.Onecannotsay much,
anditisnotttue,olthesenseolthesensesingenetal.Now,whethetotnot
NancyaimedattheopeningolPsisachs,whethethediditdelibetately,
explicitly,otelliptically,otevenmaliciously,likeEtoswhocontemplates

IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
lsyche,hustetedandmischievous, all atonce) , ittutnsoutthat, in the
btiel,discteetpage,thequasi-mute/a//saa,thepowetl,tesetvedallegoty
thatNancy, theauthotollsyche, allectstodedicatetoakindoldeplo
tation, lsyche'sdeathlysleepandhetimminentintetment) ,wecandeci-
phetastubbotn, itonic, discteet,andovetdetetminedchalengetoAtisto-
tle,totheonewho,atthebeginningolPsisachs,laysdownotimplies
thisdoublepossibility, thatis,knowledgeandsell-knowledgeolthesoul .
HypothesiswouldNancyhavechosenthewotdsatoundhet lothis
lastsentenceilatthispointhehadnothadAtistotle'sPsisachsinview,
eventhoughhevittuallynevetmentionsit:Heinsistson this,with ctuel
exactitude,andlemphasizeSheknowsnothingolthis-andthatiswhat
evetyoneknowsasandhs,withsuchexactandctuelkowledge.
lotaccotdingtoNancy, theknowledgeolthoseptesentwithlsyche,
atoundhet,let'ssay,sisachs) ,istheknowledgesoexactandctuelol
which,andthat) lsyche, lothetpatt,knowsnothing,nothinghetsell,ol
hetsell-ol,andltom)hetextension,inanycase.We havenotedit-itis
tepeated,inmotethanonelanguage,loutothvetimeswithinalewlines.
1hescenegoesonitcettainlyplacesitsell,ilonemayputitthisway
undetlteud'sauthotity, otatleastitgoeswiththeguatantee,ot thesecu-
tity,olhisposthumousnote,lottheteisalsoanothet,moteAtistotelian
lteud.psychoanalysisintendstobeknowledgethatissisachsandac-
cessibletoapsycheknowingitsell, inacettainway) .
Letusbeattentivetothiswtiting,whichissoexact,andabovealltothe
unloldingintime,tothethythm, totheloutbeatsintime olthis/a//saa
cican/.Anypictute,/a//saa,otpotttaitiscalledazghia, ot/a//saaci-
can/-nshott,alivingpaintingotpaintingolthelivinginGteek.
utlotthisonce,heteisthe/a//saacican/oladeath-olanimminence,
olacomingdeath,oladyingwomanwhowillbedeadbelotetheendol
thesentence. utacotpsethathasnotbeenbutiedyet. Andevenilthis
wetehetentombment, shehas notyetbeenconveyedintothe gtound.
Latet in theyeatdutingwhich l wtote the htst vetsion olthis text
,i,,z) ,NancygaveanexttaotdinatyconletenceaboutCatavaggio'spaint-
ingIhssa/hs/hslginattheLouvte.1hetext,Suteseuil,Onthe
1hteshold) ,wasteissuedhtstinPssis,andtheninIhsMasss,abook
thatcomesbacklotcelullytothequestionoltouchandtheptimacyol
touch , Nancy,Masss, p. l) ltomthenonsinceNancyteletsthento
thehtstvetsionolmytext,amongothetthingsinoutgestuteswekeep

|
IhisIsM Bsd |,
meeting,eventouchingeachothet,atallpointswhetetheteisaquestion
olouttouching.Andltomthis pointolview, l nolongetdate, l hatdly
dateapptoachNancy'snumetouswtitingspublishedalteti,,;.
lttemainsthatone shouldnolongetdissociatetwo appatitions, two
visions, howevet singulat. lsyche ,i,/?) and On the 1hteshold
,i,,;,|) .Whatlventutetotetmavisionotanappatition, theonein-
spitingthislastteadingolIhsDsa/hs/hs ligin, sobeautilulitleaves
onebteathless, hetelookslikelsycheinattoublnglashion-butwith-
outauthotizingtheslightest analogy. l mayttytomakethemco-appeat
someday,wotdbywotd,intheitinellaceabledilletence,butalsointheit
teciptocalconvocationotannunciation-alittlelikethetwoMatys, the
itgin and the Sinnet ot the lenitent, olwhom the last text speaks
Maty is the model olMaty, but no hgute is common to them both.
Doubtlesstheytogethettelettoathitd,who,howevet,isnototisbately
ahgute. . . . ln theEn/sm/msn/bythe same paintet, thewoMatys ate
sidebyside , Nancy,Masss, p. 6;) .
l shall not quote hete evetysentencethatwould have suited lsyche
loutteen yeats eatliet. l let mysellgo and imagine that this scene, this
womanin ttuth, nevetleaveshim. she temains lothim,inltontolhim,
lotevetimmobile,impassive,intangible. Chtistianity's indeconstuctible`
Whatascene'Whatscene`Whatwoman`Whyshs,whenhethinks-so
latandsopowetlully-thatthoughtisextended,whenonthissubjecthe
quotesanenigmaticsentencebylteud`Whythishallucinationolonewho
wouldbeextended,awoman,andabeautilulone,sobeautilul ,beautil
lotbeingneithetdeadnotalive,etetnalyetpetpetuallydying,andsutviv-
ing, belyingdeathitsell,death'sevetbeingthete`lsycheasMaty,lsycheas
MatyandMaty, ootthteeMatys.thevitgin,thesinnet, thepenitent.
|ustoneexample,butitisnotananswet.Anditisnotinlsyche, but
in IhsMasssAsalways, sxac/i/adskeepsitsappointment ,lamempha-
sizing. . . . sheisnotsxac/qdead) .
Sbedid notdiebete.Tbeybave cattiedbetto tbis makesbiftbedwbetetbey
depositedbetbody,slackenedinapostutenotyetattanged, towasbitbefote
tbefunetal. . . . Andyet, tbis bodyishtm,wbole, intact initsabandon.
ltisnotbetetbattbiswomandied,butbetesbeisnotexactlydead. One
migbtalsosaytbatsbeistesting,asifsbewetestillontb|ssideofdeatb,ot
elsealteadybeyondit. . . .
Andisitnotfottbisteasontbattbeteisnot,tbeteisnevetdeatbitseq
, Nancy,Mases, pp. ,?-,,)
IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
Aboutlsyche'snonknowledge, thenotationsatenumetous-twicein
Getman,louttimesinltench. utdilletent,eachtime. Eachpatagtaph
sets lotth oneolthem-in ltench. ut each oltheloutpatagtaphs as-
ctibesotidentihesanothettheme,anothetobject, aswellasanothettime,
tothisnonknowledge.
lsyche does not know anything, to be sute. 1his is undetstood and
enunciated in multipleways ,Atistotlewouldlutthetsay.s/a/s /sgs-
msnsn) . lsycheknowsnothing.
1 aboutthelactthatsheisextended,
2. aboutthelactthat,olhetdispetsiona/sssx/a/ss,evetyonesave
het-sale she-cancalculatetheotdetandtepottonthetelations,
)
. aboutthelactthatinhetsleepandtheabandonolhetpose,hus-
tetedandmischievous,allatonce,Etoscontemplateshet,
|. aboutthelactthatlatet,butisitnota/sadlatet,otlatetsoon:) ,
in het colhn, which is soon going to be shut ,Soon it is going to be
shut sheisdeadbut,likedisappeatance, inhumationseemsimminent
sheisdeadbuttemainsvisible,sheisdeadbutnotyetadepattedansdis-
aas ,she is onthevetgeoldisappeatingbutis stillvisible, thoughshe
doesnotknowhetselltobeseen)-well,theothets,intheitptesencesi
sachs, seehetotavetttheit eyes-butinanycase they/nsahet lasa-
csn/.' Exactly.
llsachis Lileitsell, then moutninglsycheis notj ustanymoutning
amongothets.ltismoutningitselltisabsolutemoutning,moutningol
lileitsell, butmoutningthatcanneithetbeasnand/sns,nolilecan
putonsuchmoutninganylonget)notgothtoughthewotkolmoutn-
ing.Moutningwithoutwotkolmoutning,moutningwithoutmoutning.
Moutningonthethtesholdolmoutning.Outlileitsell-isn'tit:1o tep-
tesentlsycheas adeadwoman, extendedinhetcolhn, istoteptesent
LileasaDepattedwoman_csmmsansMs/s -deadinhetsleepalteady.
Whatisdyinginone'ssleep:Attansitionolwhicweatetoldnothing,as
ilonputpose,butolwhichthe tempotalityintettuptsitsell.Withinthe
blankthatmatksthepassageltomonepatagtaphtothenext,
'

IhisIsM Bsd ] J
Hetsleepi s s odeepthati t haseventobbedhetofanyabandoni nhetpose.
lsycheisextendedinhetcofhn. Soonitisgoingtobeshut.
. .tbepassageisltomonetesttotbeotbet. Onebasgoneltomtbesleep-
ingwomantotbecotpse-ottbetecumbenth gute. ltom tbettansient
teposeolsleep ,Sbeliesattest tbesligbtmovementsolsleepbaveball-
exposed betbosom), aposeseemingtoseduceEos as mucb as lsycbe's
nonknowledge, one bas insensiblybecomeengaged in tbeendlesstepose
oldeatb. ltomtbeteposeoltbepose,onebasslidtowatdtbeextended
extensionintbecolh n.
utactosstbeintettuption,actosstbeblankontbepage,onebasmoved
ltomone immnencetotbe otbet. Nosoonetasleep ,asleepalmostallat
once),nosoonetdead,deadalmostallatonce) ,allatonce, soon locked
intobetcolhn. ltecipitatedtimeolimminence, asoon announcingtbe
endtatbettbantbelutute,tbisistbeannouncingolanapocalypse,wbicb
istosay anunveilingottevelation.
Now,wbattbisapocalypsetevealsisnotsomucbattutbastbenigbtol
nonknowledgeinwbicbevetydesitegatbetsmomentum.Etos's usteted,
miscbievous contemplation seemstobavetodowitbtbisnonknowledge
andlsycbe'sownunknown. Etosseemsseducedbytbatwbicb, inbet,no
longetallectsitselAndbytbatwbicb,inbet,cannolongetsayltoucb
mysell. IseducestbetewbeteIdoesnotsell-toucb.tissbe.Sbe,lsycbe,
isdesitable,inh nitely,asdeatb, adeadwomancoming,andonlyalsycbe
lets betsellbedesited,wbete sbe knows notbing,leelsnotbingolbetsell,
wbete sbe pattakes oltbediscontinuousdutation, tbe ptecipitation ola
dying msaancs in wbicb sbe hnds betsellwitbout hndingbetsellal-
teady,inbettestasasleepingandadyingone,sssninbetdeadlytest, and
sssn invisibleand inaccessiblestill. sxsssdto tbeotbetandsasndssd
/ics , buta/sadinaccessibe andas/ /ssbecominginvisible. Ex-
posed,suttendetedbuta/sssssndeniedtotbeotbet's eyesaltetbaving
beenpteytotbeotbetsbands. Maybeasadeadwoman,asonlytbedead
may be. etween tbe bands oltbe otbet, suttendeted into tbe otbet's
bands. Ihss/hshands. tbis couldbaveyieldedatitle lotalltbescenes
tbatatebencelottbgoingtoengageus.
1bis/a//saacondensestbenattativeellipsisolanallegoty. lsycbeisex-
posed, suttendetedto tbewotdoltbeotbetasandhs-anda/sa/hs.
lot lsycbe, lotapsycbealtogetbetexposedto tbe outsideandtbeotbet,
] 2 IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
theteisnoautobiogtaphy, thetehas nevetbeenanyl touchmysel No
pointinasignedautobiogtaphylotthe onewho,untouchabletohetsel
leelsotknowsnothingolhetselMoutningauobiogtaphyisnotj ustany
moutningamongothets, anymotethanlsyche's moutningletsitsellbe
ptecededotptopetlyhgutedbyanyothet.Onemightaswellsaythat,be-
ingunimaginable,itcanonlygivetisetoimages,phantasms,andspectets,
thatis,h gutes,ttopes,allegoties,otmetonymies openingapathto/sch-
nics. eing undeniable, it can onlyleave toom lot denial . And so this
moutningwithoutmoutningwillnevetbeovetcomebyany-lailingot
successlul-wotkolmoutning.
At the time when heattempts to tethinkthequestion olsense be-
tween the name oldeath and the vetb lot being botn na/s , Nancy
dtawstheline, exactly, betweenwotkolmoutning anddeath,between
thewotkolmoutningandabsolutemoutning. lndoing this, heshows
theditectionlotateptesentationoltheunteptesentable-andthiscould
well beawayolinvitingus to sad, oltellingushowto tead, inothet
wotdsandbeyondanyteptesentation, olseeingwithoutseeinghisalle-
goticalpaintingnamedPschs.
Deathistheabsolutesignihed,thesealingoff_/oac/age] ofsense.The noanis
whatitis,andeventhisroername, Death) , butthecer/isbeat,tobe
botn natre] .
lt is cettainly neithet false not excessive to say that all ptoduction of
sense-ofasense making sense in thissense-sadeathwotk. Thesamegoes
fotall ideals and wotks, andthesamegoes, tematkably, fotallphiloso-
phies.lhilosophydistinguishesitselfbytheuniquewayitptohtsftomdeath
oairde/a Hort] -whichisalsoawayofassutingitsownpetdutability. lhi-
losophyisignotantofttuemoutning.Ttuemoutninghasnothingtodowith
thewotkofmoutning.thewotkofmoutning,anelabotationconcetned
with keepingatadistance the incotpotation ofthe dead, isvetymuchthe
wotkofphilosophy,itisthecer,aorkoreresentation lntheend, thedead
willbeteptesented,thusheldatbay
8utmoutningiswithoutlimitsandwithoutteptesentation. lt is teatsand
ashes. ltis. totecupetatenothing,toteptesentnothing.Andthusitisalso to
bebotntothisnonteptesentedofthedead,ofdeath
Icomerth and/e/orn to hndoutselvesexposed,toex-ist. Lxistenceis
animminenceofexistence.
1hissetsolladteamwhatilPschsalsodesctibedthepictuteolanim-
minent beingbotn : Ola coming into thewotld:Whatilthewotkol
|
IhisIsM Bsd ; ;
moutning,philosophypethaps, philosopbyptecisely, lat ltomonlydeal-
ingwith keepingat adistancethe incotpotationolthe dead, wete, /
aas/his, wotkingon suchan incotpotation,onadenyingavoidance,
/ aastheincotpotationolthedead:
lollowingAtistotleandthosebeyondhim,letussupposethatthehap-
tical, unliketheothet senses, s coextensivewith the /icing/sd. Letus
lutthetsupposethat eating, asAtistotle alsosays,has to dowithtouch.
Whatdoesincotpotationbecome,then,andwhatdoesitsigni, incon-
cettwithmoutning:Stillalivingmomentollile:Olcoutse-howcould
itbeothetwise:Still,onewouldhavetoincludedeathwithinlile. Would
this living moment ollile be an intetiotization otan expulsion:A be-
coming-tangibleoltheuntouchableotontheconttatyanidealization, a
spititualization, an animation that ptoduces an intangible becomingol
thetactilebody, olthetouchingandtouched:
nwhatwaywouldthismattixolquestionsgivebitthto thequestion
oltheas/d`Andtothequestionol ni/ads`lotthehapticalisnotj ust
asenseamongothets,and in away itis noteven a sense, sensustticto
,we'llcomebacktothis) ,because,toevetyni/sexistence,ittecallswhat
iscoming-soastoptesentitwithsomething,whatevetitmaybe,what-
evetbeingitmaybe, butwhilematking,withthegiltolthisptesentation,
thelimitatwhichotltomwhichtheptesentationannouncesitsel
lilteenyeatslatet,ini,,, apatagtaphinNancy's Csasisdedicated
to lsyche's extension. 1histime, touch-thats, thewotd/sachs
comes lotthinasttangeway, amode thatdoesn'tletone decidewhethet
otnotitisahgute.1hisneedstobeemphasized again, since inthei,/?
text,namely, asinglepagetitledlsyche, thewotd/sachsnevetappeats,
nevetas such, notdoesanywotdltomthislexicallamily.1his time, in
i,,, hgutativelyotnot,touchnowdesignatesnothinglessthanthesell-
telationoloutwotld.
Nottemondess/sachs . outwotldtouchesitsell, canbetouched, is
touched,outwotldisin/sach.
Wouldthis mean tosay, as ltenchgtammatallows, that onetouches
thewotldandthatitistouchableandtangible:No, notonlythat. Out
wotldsctouchesitsell,it exes,in ects,andteHectsitsell,itauto-allects
andheteto-allectsitsellinthisway,itloldsitsell, onto itsellandyielding
toitsel1o besute,ittouchesitsellsoastobecomewotld,butalsotoexit
ltomitselAnditisthesamething,thesamewotld.ltsell-touchessoas
toexititsell. ttouchessomethinginitsel utthissomethingisnot

;| IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
athingandtbisinitsellisnolongetanintetiotity Letustathetquote,
andemphasizellonlyoutwotldwetetoundetstandthatitisnolonget
time o want o be Cosmos, no mote than SpititovetsizingNatute, it
seemsthatitcoulddonothingexcept/sachini/sstheabjectionolles-
tetingimmundity_//sc/isnds/mmsnds .

,Apatenthesislotamatettobedevelopedlatet, elsewhete, unlessithas

longbeendonealteady.atthis timeinthehistotyolthewotld,witha
discoutse-tathet, thewotld'sdsxa-spteadingsopowetlully,easily, itte-
sistibly, wellasviolently,onthesubjectolthesaidg/s/a/i/isn,msndia-
/isa/isnin ltench, C/a/isisangin Getman)atthe timewhenChtistian
discoutseconsedlybutsutelyinlotmsthisdsxaandallthatitcattieswith
it, beginningwith thewotldand thenames lot its mundiality, and its
vagueequivalentsglobe, univetse, eatth, otcssmss,in its laulineusage) ,
Nancy'sptopositionsmaybeintetsectingwithasttandolHeidegget'sptoj-
ect,thoughbisttajectotyisquitedilletent) ,whichistodechtistianizethe
thinkingolthewotld, oltheglobalizationoltheworld _msndia/isa/isn
damsnds ,olthewotldinsolatasitmundihesotmundanizes,wotldihes
otwotldizes ,as//s/) itsell.WhatNancyannounces todayundetthetitle
1heDeconsttuctionolChtistianity willnodoubtbethetestolade-
chtistianizingolthewotld-nodoubtasnecessaryandlaalasitisimpos-
sibleAlmostbydehnition, onecan onlyacknowledgethis OnlyChtis-
tianitycan do thiswotk,thatis, undo itwhiledoingit Heidegget, too
-Heideggetalteady-hasonlysucceededinlailingatthisDechtistianiza-
ionwillbeaCbtistianvictoty)
What outwotld touchesin i/ssthen,isnothingelsebut this tejec-
tion.Sellexpulsionispreciselywbatitptoduces1histhinkingoltouch,
olthewotld'ssell-touching, oloutwotld inasmuchas itis tej ected
andtejects itsellas loulandlestetingimmundity, isgoingtodevelop
amplyatthepointwhenNancywtitesLsssnsdamsnds, IhsSsnsss/hs
/d) , published one yeat latet lndeed, it comptises a chaptet on
1ouch-towhichwesballtetutn-andanothet,lainting,thatptol-
letsessential,powetl things aboutthethtesholdbetweenintactnessand
touching ,Ssnsss/hs/d, p r) . utabove all , within itsvetyaxio-
matics,1heEndolthewotld1heteisnolongetanywotldnolonget
amandas,acssmss lnothetwotds,theteisnolongetanysenseolthe
wotld ibid , p | ) , itcssssn,inaway,withthediscoutseotienting
Csas,abouttejection, abjection, culsion
Wbathappensinit:AndwhydoesitlalltoawotktitledCsastoput

|
IhisIsM Bsd ; ;
in place a postAtistotelian and non-Atistotelian thinking o l touch, a
thinkingthatnevetthelesscontinuestogtazeAtistotelianismwhetePsi
sachsestablishedthatall oltouchand all livingbeingsassuch ate indis-
sociable-anindissociability,letusemphasizethisonceagain)thatdoesn't
holdttuelotany olthe othetsenses:Whydoesthislalltoawotktitled
Csas,atettible,tettiblysacas/ic,book-lmeantosay, abookhavingit
outwiththessh,withwhatistetmedtheesh ,sax) ,andh tstolallthe
hesholChtist,inanimplacablythinkingway, anexpett, itonic, intetiot,
and bitingway, allatonce: ,Alongtheway, it's nothatdtoimaginelan-
guagesinwhichtouchisnotcoextensivewithalltheothetsensesolsense,
andgivestiseneithettotheptesupposedunityolasensenamedtouchnot
tothisnondelimitablethetotic,thisendlessptolileationolhguteslotthe
tangible otthe tactile. ln noway would l be able in these languages to
wtitewhatl amwtitinghete, ot to tead anyolthe texts we ate teading
hete,ontouching,/s/sachstheunttanslatable.Rightltomthetitle-j ust
like Csas,incidentally-itcausesonetotouchtheunttanslatable. )
lnitslashion,themajotteletentolCsasisthebodyolalivingbeing
otamottal,whichcomesdowntothesamethinghete.ltisthebodyola
being in the Hesh, which is to say, mote ptecisely, a being olHesh and
blood. lood, thesign and condition lot /hisanimal'slile ,and notlot
evetylivingbeing) , isalso thevetyelementolthisotiginatytej ection,its
openingotpassageway.1hete,too,atthevetyplacewhetethesigns Cs-
asmakes intheditection oltheChtistiotmysticbodyate manilold,
thetewillotwouldbeaneedtowatdollanytechtistianizationolblood.
lotitiseasytodesctibeChtistianityasateligionolblood-beyondthe
pointwheteanyteligion,nodoubt,beginswiththeexpetienceolblood.
Hete,lmeaninNancy, itisasiltouchinitsellwetetouchingblood
-touchingottampetingwiththetelationbetweensenseandblood,be-
tween asttokeolsense andasanguineous sttoke olblood

,with a
ptoximityot alhnity, inltench, between thelotmet,ssns, andthelattet,
sa, olwhichlaskmysell,theteagain,howothetlanguageswouldttans-
lateit,nottomentiontheplayonwithout,sas-devoidolptivationot
negativity-andtheinhniteol roo _csn/} . cteationai/hsa/acteatot,
ai/hsa/ptincipleandend _Csas, pp. ,|, ,; ) . lndeed,Nancyinsists
onthismovementoltejecionotsellexpulsionimmediatelyaltetassett-
ingthatoutwotldcanonlytouchinitselltheabjectionollestetingim-
mundity. Suchamovementwouldhavenocessation,noage, notest,in
sum,itwouldbeotiginaty, theotiginolthewotld.,1henecessatyhgute
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
olecotechnics, suchasone sees itappeatandteappeathete,will latet in-
ttoduceustowhat,itseemstome,singlesoutNancy'sthinkingamongall
othetmodetnideas aboutthe bodyptopet, theesh, touch, otthe un-
touchable,whichistosay, thetakingintoaccountoltechnicsandtechni-
calexapptoptiationonthevetyphenomenologicalthtesholdolthebody
ptopet.dthete,thisthinkingoltouch,olthewotldandoltej ection,ol
thepossibilityolthewotldd possibilityolitsowntej ection, seemsboth
necessatyandimpossible,inequalmeasutes-a,httingly,httinglyand
j ustlymad,j ustobemad,j ustlikeacettainkindolmadness. )
Thiseudationandthisintimateagitationofthewotldscotpusatelsyche's
extension. . . . his is not onlytheambivalenteffectofallnatcissisms.Inct,
assoonas thewotldisaor/ditptoducesitseq,itepelsitself)alsoasfoulim
mundity. Thewotldmasttejectandbetejected,as)afestetingim-mundity,
/ecaaseitscreationaithoatacreatorcannotcontainitseCteatotscontain,they
tetaintheitcteationandbtingittobeatonthemselves.8utthecteationofthe
wotldofbodies comes to nothing, andfallsto noone. vr/d means to say
withoutptincipleandend.andthatiswhatsacingo/odiesmeanstosay,which
inits tutn means nothingecept thein-niteimpossibilityofbomogenizing
thewotldwithitselandthesapofsensewiththesapofblood. Openingsof
tbesanguineateidenticallythoseofsense-hL estenimt . o andthisiden-
tityismadeonlyoftheabsoluteself-tejectionthatthewotldofbodiesis.be
subjectofitscteationisthistejection.heguteofecotechnics,whichptop-
agates,inevetysenseandway,globalswatmingandthefoulcontagionofim-
mundity, is theguteofthisidentity-andintheend, nodoubt, itisthis
identityitself.
Abodyepelsitself,thatis,ascotpus,distendedspasticspace,tejection-of-
the-subject-immundity, ifthewotdistobetetained. 8ut thatishowthe
wotldtakesplace.
lnasense,thecteationofthewotldofbodiesisthe impossibleitself.And
inasense, inatepeatedsttokeofsenseandsanguinity_desensetdesang} ,the
impossible iswhat takes place. hat the sensical andthe sanguine haveno
commonschema,notwithstandingthesoundandscentoftbeitsansandthe
inh niteof

LL

cent} ) thatcteationisanuncontainabledistancing,aftactal
andatchitectoniccatasttophe,andthatcomingintotbewotldisanitteptess-
ibletej ection-allthatiswhatbodymeans,andwhatsensemeans,hencefotth.
hesenseofthewotldofbodiesisthe-without-limit,without-tesetve,
itistheassutedettemeofextrapattes.lnasense,thatiswbatsenseis,inone
sense-alwaystenewed,alwaysspacedout,inonesenseandanothet,inacot-
pusofsenseandtbusinall senses, butwithoutpossibletotalization.Theab-
IhisIsM Bsd ;/
solutesenseoltbewotldolbodies, itscer,_memes] mundiality_mondia/it]
andcotpoteaitytbeexctetionofsense,senseexsctibed.
Tbinkingtbismakesonemad. . . . tbewotldisitsowntej ection,tbetejec-
tionoltbewotldistbewotld. ,Nancy, Coras,pp ,,-,,)
he insistence and playlulness ate tematkable hete, and h tst, among
othetthings,theinsistent,mechanica,machinelike,andquasimechanistic
tetutn,undetstoodas aninttoductionto ecotechnics) tothesttuctuteol
a/ss sx/aa/ss, the assutedexttemeolsx/apattes, which haden-
sutedotevenotganizedlsyche'svetybody and then, the playlul game
basedonthewotdsenseheplutalityolthesensesolthewotdsense
allects each olits two ptincipal senses. on the side olsignihcation, ol
coutse, whenonespeaksolthesenseolawotdotthesense olthewotld,
andsolotth,butalsoonthesideolthesaidsensiblelacultiesandsensitiv-
ity,eachsidetemainngessentiallymultiple, tesistingcommunity, tesisting
itpteciselybyvittueol a/sssx/aa/ss, acontiguitywithoutcontact,ot
acontactasattih cial,andthustechnical,assupethcial.
y deh nition, this spaced-out multiplicity can only tenew itsell
whencethisconceptolcteation ,cteationolthewotldolbodies, lotex-
ample) , which Nancywill nevetgive up, atthevetyplacewhete this cte-
ationissaidtobewithoutacteatotandevenimpossible,theimpossible
olanimpossibilitythatisinttuthwhattakesplace.theimpossibleiswhat
takesplace.Madness lam tempted tosayolthis uttetance, itsellimpos-
sible, that ittouches onthevetycondition olthinkingthe eventhete
whetethesssi//sisallthathappens,nothinghappens, nothingthatisnot
theimpovetisheduntlingottheptedictableptedicateolwhathndsitsell
alteadythete, potentially, andthus ptoduces nothing new, not even acci-
dentswotthyolthename event. hespaced-outmultiplicityolsenses,
andolthesensesolsense,andolthesenseolthesenses-theconditionol
cteationaswellas oltheevent-isalso ,ilonemaylutthetsayso)what
sanctionsthisj ustmadnessolthinkingotlanguage,themadness atoused
byphtasessuchas inacotpusolsenseandthusinallsenses,butwithout
possibletotalization.
l theconceptsolNancy's newcsas,al l theconcepts thathecte-
ated, inthisnewsenseolthewotdcsa/s,cteatingthewotld,thesenseol
thewotld,mundiality, theex-sctibedotex-cteted,sense,theexctetionol
sense,senseexsctibed, andsolotth) atebotnolthisj ustmadness, and
theycalllotadilletentthinkingolthej ust.
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
We saidthattheyatebotn, lottheseca/as/shictheses ,cteation. . .
isaltactal. . . catasttophe)atealsothoughtsolbitth.1heymakeusgive
thoughttothebittholthebody, olthecsas, abitthtodistinguishhete
ltomplainotigin. 1hey let usthinkoladelivetyinto thewotld asate-
j ection,butalsoolthepossibilityolssc/isningenetal,thetejectionol
thebodyat bitth aswellas thetejectionoloneolitsessentialpatts-a
ttansplantedheatt,lotexample-bythebodyitsellnitsellejectable,dis-
posable,tejectable.mmunedisotdetisalsoinsds. AllthatNancywill
latetsayabouttheexsctibedessentiallysptingsltomthis,itseemstome.
Andsinceitisalsoamattetolsctej ection,this soutcedoestemaines-
sentiallyautobiogtaphical. utthisisttueonlyatthepointwhete,aswe
havenoted,lsyche'sputeautobiogtaphyisimpossible,andthepossibility
olttansplantationputsitsinstitutingsignatutethete.1hetetutnolHoc
estenim. . . inthisbookismotethanj ustamiseenscnesettingthe
tablelotttansubstantiation,whichissacas/ic, that is, motdant-ahetce
ttansubstantiation titelesslybiting, motsel bymotsel, andbitingagain,
mottallysettinguponthehesh, puttingittodeath,attansubstantiationol
theEuchatistitsell, agitatingthewholeCsas,shakingitsometimesun-
tilitbutstsoutlaughing.1heonewhospeaksheteptesentlyhasanexpe-
tienceoldeath, andtheteloteolthelivingbody, that cannotbeinvoked
by any olthosewho ate like me and nevet stop thinking about death
withouthavingyethadachangeolheatts-andwithoutknowing,with-
outknowingwithintheitbodies,withintheitmybody, thataheattcan
be thtown ollot tej ected. Olcoutse, they do know it, but isn't theit
knowledge sovetypoot, absttact, shamelul, ptotected, and shamelully
cozy, compatedtohisknowledge-thatoltheonewhoisabletoputhis
signatutetoCsas,whohasnsdtobeabletosignthatCsas`
1o eachhisothetownHocestenim. . . tosign.
We havetecalledone,andheteistheothet, onthelacingpage,withan-
othetaccent,itisthecontinuationoltheintettuptedquotation
Tbinkingtbismakesonemad.Tbistbinking,ifitisatbougbt,ottbetbougbt
tbatitbeboovesonetotbink-andnotbingelse.Tbistbougbt. Hocest
enim,beteitis,tbewotldisitsownte ection,tbete ectionoftbewotldistbe
wotld. Sucbistbewotldofbodies. itbasinittbisdisatticulation, tbis inat-
ticulationof-enunciatingtbewbole,wide-tangingextension osense.
ln-atticulatinguttetance nonciation} -aistosay, signcation no/onge
/atinstead, a seaking-/od,thatmakes no 'ense, "a/od,- 'eak"thatisnot

IhisIsM Bsd ; ,
organizeAt last, matetialseuse, tbati s t osay, maduessiudeed, tbeimmi-
ueuceofauiutoletablecouvulsioui utbougbt. Ouecauuottbiukofless. it's
tbatotuotbiug 8uttbiukiugtbat,it'sstill uotbiug.
,ltmaybe/aghter.Aboveall,uoitouiziug,uomockety-butlaugbtet,aud
abodysbakeubytbiukiugtbatcau'tpossiblybe. ), Naucy, Coras,p. ,,)
ltomtheopeningpages onwatd, things atecleat.thetitle,Csas,h tst
olalltingsoutlikesuchlaughtet, likeasottolthinkingbutstollaughtet,
hetce and implacable beloteesus, in ttuth within thevetyevangelical
wotdandtheChtisticbody.1hewholebookssandsetsuponHocest
enimcotpusmeum, thetebyannouncinghiswotkinptogtess,whosean-
nouncedtitleis1heDeconsttuctionolChtistianity. utNancybelieves
hecan identithepowetotteacholHocestenimcotpus meumwell
beyondChtistiancultutesttictlyspeakingandheatinuddhism, lslam,
andudaismanobstinate,otsublimatedpaganism.
nless-whispetsthespoilspott that havetemained,atthepointol
lightingvotivecandles,still,inalltheCatholicchutchesinthewotld,i n
thetoleolincottigiblechoitboy, andewish, noless-unless thetei sno
ttuebeyond, beyondwhatlj ustimptudentlytetmedChtistiancultute
sttictlyspeaking, unlessChtistianitycattiesinitsell-andallbutcsns/i-
/a/icsqconsistsincattyinginitsell-thetesoutce,andthelaw,olthis de-
sttictutation, olits passage beyond itsell, olthis abilityto pattwithout
patting,olunivetsalabandonwhiletemainingwithonesell, inawotdol
deathwithoutdying,withoutthisdeathitsellevetcomingabout. 1hen,
thedeconsttuctionolChtistianitywouldhaveitsinh nitetaskcutoutlot
itas its daily btead. Hocest enimcotpus meum. tead lot the , Last
Suppet) stagewould saleguatd the vety memoty olall deconsttuction.
Evangelicalandapocalyptic. Lukeandohn. SaintAugustinetecallsthis
cleatlyin IhsCi/sCsdwhichalsoquotesletetandohn.Andknow-
inghowtoteadwouldbeenough,ilonecanputitlikethat. twouldbe
enoughtoheat, butheatwell, theinjunctionsaboutteadingattheendol
ohn'sApocalypse,thetettible thteats ungatthosewhowillnotheatot
donotknowhowtotead,andatanyonetemptedtoaddotsubttactsome-
thinginthewitnessingtext, inthemattytdom desctibingthe punish-
menttesetvedlotthosewho,insteadolteadingandteceiving,wouldlike
toentichthetextlutthet, otdeplete it, andthenwtite othetwise, some-
thingelse-inawotd,deconsttuctotsign. Nancydoesnotwanttobelieve
inthis-notbeabelievet-andneithetdo l. utallthesame. lthete is
o IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
deconstructingtodo,Chtistianityisit, period) . Ad llato,ptedisposing
onetoChristianity AndHegel, inordertosublateChtistianityintoab-
soluteknowledgeandsolotth.AndMatx,inotdertosublateHegel.And
Heidegger,whoisnevetdonewithLuthet,withHegel,again,andKietke-
gaatd.loracertainChtistianitywillalwaystakechargeolthemostexact-
ing, themostsxac/, andthe mosteschatologicalhyperboleoldeconsttuc-
tion, theoverbidolHocest enimcotpusmeum. ltwillstillmakethe
sacrih ceolitsownsell-deconstruction Hey, Sade-golorit'lottheteis
deconsttuctionanddeconstruction. LetusneverlotgettheChtistian, in
lact,Luthetan,memoryolHeideggeriandeconstruction,ss/a//isnwas
htstdss/ac/isbyLuther, anxioustoreactivate the originarysenseolthe
Gospels by deconstructing theological sediments) .

Let us never lotget

this, lest one mix up all the deconstructions olthis time.nd olthe
wotld. ut inttuth, one can neverlorget this Christian , Luthetan, las-
calian, Hegelian, Kierkegaatdian, Marxian, andsolotth) memorywhen
onereadsHeidegger,whenonealsoquestionshisdenials.Adeconsttuc-
tionolChristianity, ilitisevetpossible, shouldtherelotebeginbyunty-
ingitsellltomaChtistianttaditionoldss/ac/is.
lshall notevenattempttocomment,pataphtase,otglossthehrstchap-
tetsolthisCsas.1heyaretoorich,andtheirstitchestootightlywoven.
Mysoleambitionistoinvitereading,inevitably, ditecty,andwithoutin-
tetposition. l am content to track the metamotphic displacement ol
touch, therewhetethetrailisindangeroldisappeating.
lndeed, touching, the lexicon oltouch, strikes agrammaticalpose
andheadsollonquitediverserhetoticalsidepaths ltcarties asemantic
tenotwhosespectetseemstoobeyasubtleandironicplay, bothdiscteet
and vittuoso. As ila mastet ollanguage airily made believe he wasn't
touchinganyolit.Andbytheway, ishedoingitonputpose:Otishelet-
ting a tteacherous symptom show an obsession too sttongto bedomi-
natedotlormalized:Adreadthatiswithinlanguagebeloreithauntsan
individualsubject:Adwithinalanguagethatchangessense,that/sachss
sense, onecoudsay, teachingthe presumed core olsense,passingltom
thevetb to touchtothenountouch, orltomthenountotheadjec-
tiveandtheparticipletouching:
. 1hus,lotexample,j ustwithinthelimitsolthehtstthteepagesol
thebook,hereis/sahsathrst,as/,touchingasaverbltomthehrst
page, anddespiteacertain1homas, theteisasuggestionthatthis Hoc
IhisIsM, Bsd, r
estenim. . . endsuplotbiddingustotouch,oti nanycaseseekstokeep
itsbodyawayltomanythingthatcould /sachit. _ is outobsessionto
showa/hisceci and to beconvincing,outselves) that this this ceci
hetewith _ici , isthatwhich one canneithetsee nottouch, neithethete
notelsewheteandthatthisis/ha/_ce/ , notinwhichevetway, butasi/s
/sd,1hebodyol/ha/ a ,God,theabsolute,whatevetonewishes) ,that
hainga/sd,, otthat/eingabody ,andthus,onemaythink, that' being
/hebody-absolutely) .thatiswhathauntsus , Nancy, Css,p. ) .
J. utj ustaltet that, hete comes a nsan. n otdet to desctibe the
idealizationthatkeepsthebodyltomtouching,inotdettoseetothesub-
limatingsubtetlugeotthemagicalsleightolhandthatmakesthetangible
disappeat, Nancytesottsto thepictotialhguteolthe/sach/a /sache} .

1he magician's hnget, which makes the tangibleuntouchable-this is a

paintet'spaintbtush. Hemustknowhowto puttheh nishingtouch to
hissimulactumsoastomakethebodyvanishinptoducingit, andsoas
to teduce it in allecting its ptoduction. Hocest enim. . . ' dehes, ap-
peasesalloutdoubtsaboutmeteillusions,givingto thetealthettuehn-
ishingtoucholitsputeldea,thatis,itsteality, itsexistence. Onewould
nevetbedonewith modulating thevatiants olthese wotds ,tandomly
listed. egs samthetitleolthatothetgteatbookbyNancy, thusdealing
withegologicahction ,nudesinpainting,Rousseau'sSscia/Csn/ac/,Nietz-
sche'smadness,Montaigne's Essais,AntoninAttauds netve-metet' _Pese
ne ) ,ibid. , p. ) . ll one teads what lollows, it goes the way olthe
wholecultute, thewholetextuteintetweavingus. Bsd,. thatishowwe
inventedit.Whoelseinthewotldknowsit:,ibid. ) .
. Now,j ustaltetthevetbandthenoun,hetecomestheatttibute
olapastpatticipleotaec/ie,inttoducedbyasoon si//} thatismote
ttoublingthanevet.As soonasitistouched. . . . Aslotthisdesensitiz-
ingopetation, indeed, thisanesthesia, thissublimatingidealizationthat
ptoducesthebody, thethisandheteolthebody, whilemakingitin-
accessibleto touch,weknowthatitengendetsanguish-anguishbelote
death,asitwete, butptotectingitsellagainstitsell,asottolanesthesiaol
anesthesia,aeuthanasiaconttactaltetthetetmsolwhich,whileptetend-
ingoneisdealingoutdeathtooneselluntiltheendoltime,oneendsup
succeeding.
We ask,Whatis /his ceci Andwhydoes thethisollamous sense
cettaintyevapotateinthevetyindetetminationolallhete-and-nowand
all this: OnedoesnothavetowaitlotHegel'sPhensmens/sgsSiri/to

IhisIs-s/heO/her
sullet thewounds olthe said sense cettainty. ln otdet to desctibethe
pointatwhichthelattetisallatonceattainedandwounded,attainedin
thesenseolteached,becomeaccessible,butalsoteachingouttowatdan
attaint, andthesenseolahatmthatissustained) ,Nancysaysolitthat
itistouched. nosoonethas oneattainedit,nosoonethas onetouched
it,nosoonetdoesonebelieveoneistouchingit,thanonewoundsit,hnd-
ingithatmedalteady,attainted,cutinto,vulnetableatonce,andevensick.
ltisnotwhatitusedtobe,notwhatonebelievedittobe.Wakingltom
thisanesthesia,sensecettaintybecomesmad. ltmixesupevetything.What
makessense,Rimbaudsays, atethesensesindisattay.Adjective,atttibute,
pastpatticiple.ssoonasitistouched,sensecettaintytutnstochaos,to
tempest, andevetysensetodisattay._ odyiscettaintystattledandshat-
teted.Nothingismoteptopetlyoloutoldwotld, nothingmoteloteignto
it ,ibid. ,p.,).
Retouchingthevetb.Whatinlacthappensj ustaltetthat-altet
thevetb,thenoun,thepastpatticiple,otadjectivehavehadtheittutn:
Wetutntothevetbtouchet,totouch, again. latadox. we shall nowbe
shownthatilonehassought,asin) nottotouch,tokeepthebody
ltomtouching,ilonehaslongedlottheuntouchable, ilonehashadto
addanishingtouch ,asin) totheidealizationandtheconjuting
awayoltouch,ilsensecettaintyisthustouched bythis ,asin)
until the senses ate in disattay, itis because ola desite ot a hypetbolic
hungettotouch, tobewhatonewantstotouchbyeatingit. 1ouch
tutns atound, and evetythingseems to be decided. All olNancy's new
conceptuality Begrich/ei/) , a seizing put-upon otat gtipswith one's
gtasp,'teceivesthematkolthis, beginningwithanothetthoughtolthe
body, olthe mundane and immund wotld, andollteedom, andhtst
andlotemost,olwhatltomnowonexcri/esitsellastheexscri/ed,asex-
pulsion, otiginatyabj ection,andsolotth) .
Atthis tutningpoint,though one couldhnd othetmetonymies) , one
seizesagainthetesoutceotsptinglockolNancy'sthinking-hisaeighing,
as we shallsaylatet-andinit,let'ssay,thatwhichmightmakea/eamol
thescales-otaail, oteven scoutge,the ailptopet,whichisto
sayevetysenseoltheltenchwotda. aninsttumentlotthteshingot
agellating,evil,calamity, cataclysm otdisastet,banelulwound,some-
times,ptecisely, thescales otscoutgeotailGod,otasGod,butespe-
cially animplementolj usticewithscalesthataeighexac/ necessari /he
an/hin/a//eandanaeigha//e_/imen)sa//e} , /heimsssi//e, /hean/ear-
IhisIsM, Bsd,
a//s, andgivetbeimmenseitsexactmeasute.Aquestionolbeatts,andol
loteignbodies,aquestionolexapptoptiationoltheownmostand most
ptopet, asautoimmunedesiteoltbeptopet, l wouldsay.Animplacable
deconsttuctionolmodetnphilosopbiesolthebodyptopetandtbeesb.
Soi t sbouldsutptisenoonetbattbistutningatoundoltouchsbouldpto
ducetbeconceptolsx-/ia/isn,sxa/sisnoltbedesitable,oltbesxsci/sd
and the /sd,-ang ot /ss/, duting the coutse oa sequencewitb tbe
LastSuppetbusyeatingtbebody-inttutb,eatingGod'sbeattout, the
SactedHeatt.
8utinstantly, always, itisafoteignbodythatshowsitself-monsttanceofa
monstetimpossibletoswallowThete's nogettingaway, oneiscaughtupina
vastwasteofimages sttetchingftomaChtistwhodaydteamsovethisunleav-
enedbteadtoaChtistwho extitpates ftomhimselfathtobbing, bloody Sa-
ctedHeattThis, this this isalways toomuch,otnotenough,tobethat.
And all theways ofthinkingthe bodyptopet, thelabotious effotts to
teapptoptiatewhatwasbelievedtobeunfottunatelyobjectih ed, otteihed,
allthewaysofthinkingaboutthebodyptopetatecontottionsofcompatable
scope. theyendupwith nothingbutthe expulsion ofwhatonewishedfot
8einginanguish,wishingtosee,touchandeatthebodyofGod,to/ethis
bodyandto/enothing/at/a/ allthatmakesuptheptincipleof,un)teason
oftheWestAtasttoke,thebody, anybody, anyofthebody, necertakes/ace
there, and esecia/notahen onenamesorsammonsitthere lotus, the body
isalwayssactihced-holyhost.
lfHocestenimcotpusmeumsaysanything,itisoutsideandbeyondany
wotds _horsdearo/e , itisn'tsaid,itisexsctibed-thebodylostinamindless
thtust _corserda] . , Nancy, Coras,p ,)
Oneisnevetdonewithananalysisoltbevatiations,andkeystoucbed
upon, inplayingthisbymntotoucb,totactlulhngeting,whicbistosay
tocontactas intettuptedcontactAltet tbe passagel havej ustquoted,
ovetten sbottpages. tbebodymas/toucbdown ,p. rr) , Wtiting. to
touch onexttemity , p. r z) Notbingelsebappens towtiting, tben, il
sometbingshouldhappentoit,except/saching. Moteptecisely.toucbing
the body . . . . Wtitingtoucbes tbe body, by essence. . . tbat'swbete it's
toucbing ,p. i;) pointsoltangency, toucbes. . . ,p. i|) .

Sballonej oinbimwbenbesaystbattbisbistotyoltbewotldandtbe
bodyis metely Cbtistian, otevenAbtahamic, and limited to tbeWest
,ptincipleol,un)teasonoltheWest) ` Andtotbebodylotus, imply-
ing we, tbeewisb, Cbtistian, otMuslim beits olHocenim cotpus
.
|
J
.
IhisIs-s/heO/he
meum, as thebegnningolthetextsuggests it: Otisitaunivetsalhis-
toty : Otlutthet, ingteatetlikelihood, thehistotyoltheptoductionol
evetyunivetsalismandglobalization-thtoughtheobligatotypassage
ola sutteptitious, autoimmune, and globalatinizing Chtistianization:
And thetelote to be begun in Latin, with Hoc enim cotpus meum
,Matt. 6. 6) , tathetthantheGteek1oo o1vfo o .
slsycheabeautilulChtistianwoman:ssheoneottheothet, oneand
the othet, olthe two Matys whose lascinatinghallucination inspited us
withalewquestionssometimeago:Andwhatilthetewetesevetalbod-
iesinthewotld,andwhatilthisbodyotthatothetonetesistedtheChtis-
tiancotpus, sometimeswithinthevetyheatt,thevetybodyolaChtistian:
Atthevetysametimewhenanon-Chtistiancanconvetselyinhabit,with-
out knowingit, aChtistianbody: Othetcultutes, pethaps evetycultute,
couldhaveptoducedthisidealizinganesthesia,thisneuttalization,thiseu-
thanasiaolthebody, evenbelotebeingtouched ,beitinditectly) byany
vittualChtistianization
1o avoidanyconlusion,isitnecessatytochangewotds,then,inotdetto
tellthedihetenceolbodies:sitnecessatytotesotttoanothettetminstead
olcotpus :Andinsteadoltouch,ottouching,bythesametoken:
Nancymay b suggesting this, and ht one can measutewhat is at
stakein attanslation. Onewondetswhowillbable totell uswhathap-
penswhenonettanslatscss. Letusj ustthnkolthedilh cultiesthatal-
teadyawaitusinthesnuggestWestetndomesticity.howisoneto ttans-
lateinonewotdthedilletencebetweenKeandLei/Andaslot/sd,
in English ,in all the places, lot example, whete it is an obsession lot
Ameticancultuteandacademia) ,whocouldone leadwithasttaightlace
tobelievethatitisattustwotthyequivalentolallthatwetetmcss,css
se, otchaihesh :And once ithasbeen subjectedtotheeuthanasic
testolanesthesiaolwhichwespeak,doesn'tittathet,soonet,alltoosoon,
vetysoontutnintoasottolcotpse, themototlessglotiousbodyola
cadavet: nawotd, when lteud seems tolaythepsyche uponthehoti-
zontalityolasutlace,onabedotacouch,whenhespeaksonthesubject
olpsycheasbody, onthesubjectolthissubmissiveandsubjectedsubjec-
tivity, andextension,ishetelettingtotheChtistianbody:
1o sayollsychethatsheisextended,evenilEtoshasenoughtactnot
totouchhet,isto tecallthatshetemainsotshouldtemaintangible,as a
body-againstDescattesandagainstKant,againstextensionwithoutbody,
againstintelligibleextensionandagainsttheextensionolputesensibility
IhisIsM, Bsd,
devoidolanyempiticalsensation. ltisalso totecallwhatlteud hadsaid
aboutthis,ptecisely, inthis posthumous note, thebtieltunequoted
tstlsycheistausgedehnt,weissnichtsdavon.
Sheknows nothingolthis,atthepointwhenonespeaks oli t, sheis
boundtoasectet,sheknowsnothingolhetsell-inpatticulat, olhetsell
extended,andthetelotealwayslatoll, sell-distanced,nomattethowclose
she is. 1angible, to besute,yetuntouchable. lotEtos, at least.At least
whenEtosis tactlul .Andexpetienced-otevenan expett-incatesses.
Whatisstillneededltomheteon:Anexplanationas towhythePsi
sachsolouttimeis nowcalledCsas,byean-LucNancy.


|

q hc \ntOuchabc, Or
thc NOW O bstncnCc
Ihc Excrbitcnt, :-7ct bc,cnd thc cib/c
-Strc/ing, Stri/ing, Ihin/ing, vighing
Mcurning Erc cnd thc Othcr Hcnd c

. .
cm gchclc niclt cinc llilosoplic, dcrcn Kcim cin crstcr Kuss ist:
lo vould not likc a plilosoply vlosc kcrncl is a hrst kiss:
lovalis
Whattogive him,andhow`Wouldithaveto be` Does ithavetobe`
ldidnotknowwhattoptesentasanolletingto|ean-LucNancyinot-
dettotellhimolmygtatitudeandadmitation,whoselimitslcannoteven
measute,whichlhaveleltlothimlottoolong-andhaveseentevivedot
tejuvenatedtooolten-eventoattempttotellmyselltheitstoty.1heteis
nodeclatationlotthesethings, theyshouldn'tbedeclated, eithetpublicly
otptivately.
lottheteisa/aa/ac/.
lethaps the law is always alaw/ac/. 1hislaw'slawhnds itsellthete,
beloteanything.1hete is thislaw, anditisthelawitsell, thelawolthe
law. Onecannotimaginewhatalawwouldbeingenetalwithoutsome-
thingliketact.onemusttouchwithouttouching. lntouching,touching
islotbiddendonottouchottampetwiththethingitsell, donottouch
onwhattheteistotouch.Donottouchwhattemainstobetouched,and
htstolalllawitsell-whichistheuntouchable,/eeallthetitualptohi-
bitions thatthisotthat teligionotcultutemay impose ontouching, as
suggestedeatliet.Andthisenjoinsustotespect, andabovealltotespectn
theKantiansense,sotospeak,wheteitishtstolalltespectlotthelaw,te-
spectlotwhichispteciselythecaaseoltespect, thatistosay, inthehtst
place,totespectthelawtathetthanthepetson. 1hisonlygivesanexam-
pleolit. Respectcommandsustokeepoutdistance,totouchandtampet
neithetwiththelaw, whichistespectable,not-thetelote-withtheun-
66
Ihe|n/sacha//e s/heloasA/s/inence
touchable.1he untouchableis thus kept atadistancebythegaze, ote
gadinltench,meaningesec/in itsatinptovenance) , ot in anycaseat
anattentivedistance,inotdettowatchoutcatelully,toguatd ,as inach/en,
Ach/ang, in etman) againsttouching,allecting,cottupting. Oneisnot
totouchthelawcommandingthatonenottouch. Hastyconclusion. tact,
one couldsay,iswhatcsnnestothe otigin andthe essence ollaw.And
oneshould undetstandtact, notinthe common senseolthetactile,but
inthesenseolknowinghowto touch ai/hsa/touching,withouttouch-
ing/ssmach, whetetouchingis alteadytoo much. 1acttouches on the
otiginolthelaw.|ustbately.Atthelimit. yessence,sttuctute,andsitu-
ation,theendutanceolalimitassuchconsistsintouchingai/hsa/touch-
ingtheoutlineolalimit.
1heteisalawoltact.
eloteanyvowolabstinence,beloteanysellimposedintetdict,isthete
an untouchable, ate thete untouchables: And what is mote, quasi-
ttanscendental ones: Onemightthinkso, lotsuchavowolabstinence
couldhatdlytetain us and impose anytesttaintexceptwhetesome un-
touchable temains at least possible, alteadypossible. Convetsely, what
wouldsuchavowolabstinencebeil/heetouchingwetenotalwayspos-
sible,ehectivelypossibleotptomised:Whatilthispossibilityoltheptom-
ise, this ptomisedpossibility, wetenotalteady/hee, nothete but/hee,
hauntingabstinenceitselsometimestothepointolintensiingitsttans-
gtession,theunlotgivablepetjutyattheheattoltheintetdict:lsthisdou-
ble, undecidablelogic,EtosinmoutningatthemostintenseolEtos'sliv-
ingdesite) alteadyalogicoltheunconscious:lethaps.
1hetei salawoltactthete. '
1ouching,inanycase,thustemainslimittophe,ittoucheswhatitdoes
nottouch,itdoesnottouch,ita/s/ainsltomtouchingonwhatittouches,
andwithintheabstinencetetainingitattheheattolitsdesiteandneed,
inaninhibitionttulyconstitutingitsappetite,teatswithouteatingwhat
is its noutishment, touching,withouttouching, what itcomestoculti-
vate,elevate,educate,dtilldesse} ,/ehein) .
utwhatmchan,whatttick,whatlatalmachinationdoessuchalaw
wayskeepinstote:etweentwogivenotdets-yes,givenasgivenasmuch

6? IhisIs-s/heO/he
as otdeted ,dotouch butdsns/touch,innoway, dotouchai/hsa/touch-
ing,dotouch/a/dowatchoutandavoidanycontact)-itinehectinstalls
akinshipthatisatthesametimecsnanc/ieanddianc/ieWotsethan
that,itbtingsintocontactbothconttadictotyotdets,dodoanddonotdo) ,
thusexposingthemtocontaminationotcontagion.utwhati tthusbtings
intocontact,ottathetintocontiguity,a/esex/aa/es, ishtstolallcon-
tactandnoncontact.Andthiscontactwithoutcontact,thisbatelytouching
touchisunlikeanyothet,inthevetyplacewheteallittouchesistheothet.
1heteisnolacilethinkingotlotmulationwhatsoevetinthis-tathet,
itismadness. tis cettainlyalways possiblepainlesslyto ptoduce andte-
ptoducethesepatadoxicallotmulas.tiscettainlyalwayspossibletospeak
as asomnambulist, tohandlesymbolssttippedolanyintuition,topto-
nounceappatentlypatadoxicalsyntagmassuchas,todehnetactothn-
geting dsi} ,lotexample,touchwithouttouching,contactwithout
contact, otcontactwithoutcontactbetweencontactandnoncontact.
utonecettainlyleels,aswillbevetihed,andvetihedpteciselybytest-
ingthevetysensesolthewotdsense,oltheltenchsensotsen/i,which
tendtocomedown,thoughnotteductively, tothewotdtouch)thatltom
AtistotletoNancy,apotias,otiginallyAtistotle'swotd) , apotiasoltouch,
leadustothinktheessenceoltouchonlythtoughlanguagethatpatadoxi-
cal, motethanconttadictotyandhypetdialectical,without," non-,
" conjunctionandotdisjunctionolplusandminus,andsoon) .
Wheteabouts oltheimpossible. is tact ,tact that would knowhowto
touchwithouttouching,acontactwithoutcontact) knowledgeotkow-
how:sn'tthisanimpossibleknowledgeotathinkngolimpossibleknowl-
edge:etonetecognizesinitthehguteoltheLaw, capitalLaw,ledbyits
uppetcase lettet. Hete, belote any othet ,teligious, ethical, j utidical, ot
othet)detetmination,weheatandundetstandlaw commandment,which
istosaytheintettuptioninthecontactotcontinuitywithwhatwehave
leatnedtocallnatute. Now,onecanspeakoltact,lotexample) ,andcon-
tactwithoutcontact,onlywhetetheteisalawdictatingotptesctibing,and
enjoiningwhatisnot,natutal) .Andthisisptoducedinnatute, wellbe-
loteman,andalwaysbelotethedistinctionbetweenthebeingsandtheliv-
ing.Andthatisenoughtodiscteditevetyoppositionlundamentally. na-
tutecultute, natutemindotconsciousness,h,sisnsmss, /hesisot/echn
animalityhumanity, andsolotth.
Nowinthistegatditisnolongetpossibletoasktheuestionoltouch
ingenea/, tegatdingsomeessenceoltouchingenetal, /edetetmining
Ihe|n/sacha//e, s/heoasA/s/inence
thewhootthewhat,thetouchingottouched,whichweshall nottoo
hastilycallthesubjectotobjectolanact.1heteisnotintheh tstplace/he
senseoltouch,lollowedbysecondatymodih cationsthatallowthevetbto
becompletedbyasubjectotacomplement,thatis,whattoucheswhom
otwhat,whotoucheswhomotwhat) .
1heteislittledoubtthatAtistotletook into accountadihetentialttans-
lotmationoltouchdependingonthedivetsityoltangiblethings,andpet-
hapsonwhatthisgtammaticaldisttibutionmayspeci.Howevet, lotlack
olsulhcientindicationsonthissubject,

onewondetswhethetinAtistotle's
Peisachs, his tteatise on touch, thetewas toom lot //sas,lotsttiking
blowsinalltheitmultiplicity, amultiplicitythatmaynotbeteducibleto
anygenetalblow) otcaesses,allsttongcatesses,whichmaynotbeacces-
sible eithetbywayolanysubsumptionundetoneconceptolthecatessin
genetal) .Ablowispethapsnotakindoldesttuctivetouching, indeed,ol
theexcessivetangibilitythat,asAtistotlealteadynoted,canhavedevastating
ehects. Likewise, sttokingisnot onlyaspeciesolsoothing,benehcial,and
pleasanttouch, pleasuteenjoyedbycontact. Sttikingandsttokingaddtess
awho tathetthanawhat, theothet tathetthan some othetingen-
etal. Suchalivingwho isnomote necessatilyhuman,moteovet, thanit
isasubjectotanl. Andaboveallitisnotamananymotethanawoman.
What, then, is atteatiseoltouchthatsaysnothingabout this. Who
toucheswhom: And how:, Who sttikes whom:Who sttokes whom:
ndwhy:Andhow:Letusinsistagainthatvatiouscausesotqualitiesdo
notcomeandmodiotmodalizeonesingle, sellsame, ptesupposedgen-
etalityolwhatwe convenientlytetm the catess and the blow. 1hete
again, they constitute a multiplicitywithoutthe hotizon olatotalizable
unity. lot,letusnothidethisltomoutselves,bythissttoke,andwithaca-
tess-acatess maybeablow andvicevetsa-itcomesdowntothecon-
ceptualconditionolconcepts.Andletusnotexcludeeithetthatcettainex-
petiencesoltouching,olwho toucheswhom) donotsimplypettainto
blowsandcatesses.Whataboutakiss:lsitonecatessamongmany:What
aboutakissonthemouth:Whataboutabitingkiss,aswellasevetything
thatcan thenbeexchangedbetween lips,tongues, andteeth:Ateblows
wantingthete:Atetheyabsentincoitus, inallthepenettationsotactsol
homosexualothetetosexualsodomy:lsacatess, motesothanablow,
enougholaconcepttosaysomethingolthis expetienceoltouching ol
whichAtistotle,lollowedbyallthosewhocamealtethiminthegteattta-
ditionalphilosophyoltouch, hatdlybteathedawotd:
IhisIs-s/heO/he
AslotNancy, hedoes notlailtonamethecatessandtheblow, otmote
ptecisely-lote/sandgestutesatewhatonts-s/s/ingands/i/ing,
amonga nonh nite numbetolothet expetiences, in what he tetms the
tactilecotpus, undettheheadingWeighing ese' . Olcoutse,lam
undetscotingthewotdss/i/ingands/s/ing, aswellasapointthatwillbe
impottantlotuslateton,inthattheteisnosexualdihetencematkedhete
as adualotdissymmetticopposition,whichdoes not mean thatsexual
dilletenceis nottaken into account-onthe conttaty. 1actilecotpus
skimming,gtazing,ptessing,pushingin,squeezing,smoothing,sctatching,
tubbing,s/s/ing, palpating, gtoping, kneading, massaging, embtacing,
hugging,s/i/ing, pinching, biting,sucking,wetting,holding,lettinggo,
lickng, jetking, looking, listening, smelling, tasting, avoiding, kissing,
ctadling,swinging,cattying,weighing.
Whydoesheendhislisthete:Whattighthashetodoso:Atetheteop-
etations that ate completely independent olanytactile semantics and
thetotic: And that would tightlully beexcludedltom this seties: 1his
questionwilltemainwithus,undetthislotmotanothetitconcetnswhat
thiscotpushasleltout uttheoppositequestionalsoloomsitconcetns
inclusionnolessthanexclusion. Andso,byclassiinglookingandlis-
teninginatactilecotpus,doesonelollowthisttaditionalotevenclassi-
calgestute,agestuteweshallkeeptecognizinglateton) ,whichconsistsin
includingsightandheating,aswellasa/thesenses,inthegenetalotlun-
damentasenseoltouch:1hishypothesisisconh tmedj ustaltetwatdby
theinclusionolsmellingandtasting, thesenseolsmellandthesense
oltasteOt,ontheconttaty, sitamattetolchallenginginthatttadition
thatwhichwouldpettaintotetainingonlythemostptopetandmostlit-
etalinwhatiscalledtouching:Whatcouldmakeoneleantowatdthesec-
ondhypothesisinthislistwouldtathetbetheinclusionolvetbalexptes-
sionssuchas lettinggo _/che otavoiding i/e ,whichtathetthan
touchingseem ontheconttaty, litetallytosigninoncontact, intettup-
tion,spacing,ahiatusatthecoteolcontacttact,ptecisely'Andtheheatt-
beat,withitssyncopalintettuptions,whichgivesitsthythmtopulse,pul-
sion,otevenhapticalcompulsion,thelM olcontact,comingtolinkot
conjoinonlywhete disconnection temainsatwotk, aswellas apossible
disj unction Nottomention,inthisteckoning,thattheltenchgtammat
olthis cotpus andthe seties olttansitive vetbs telettingto anobjectol
senseleadtothediscovetyolmoteundecidableones,undecidablyttansi-
tiveandotinttansitiveones,wetting,lotexample,butespeciallyweigh-
ing, whichwehaveyettoexamine.
Ihe|n/sacha//e, sr/heloasA/s/inence
/

lhavesomethinglikeavisionolthetute,then.limaginegenetations
olphi|osophets.Doyouseethem,asl do, soonleaningovetthispageby
Nancy,ovetthis/ac/i/ecsrasasovetatab|eolcategoties`Acotpus,upon
atab|ewithoutopetationsotanatomylessons,butwithsomanyptoblems
Andaswithalltablesolcategoties,ltomAtistotletoKant,onewouldask
onesellwhethetthis list isttulygtounded and closable, otheteotthete
thapsodic.
litst olall , what has entit|ed me, too-whyhavel undetscoted two
vetbs inthis cotpus,s/rs/ingands/ri/ingWhythis ptivilege-ilnotasa
concessionto alogicthat l hadcalledintoquestionalittleeatliet`Sup-
posethatldiditlotsheetpedagogicalotptovisionalconvenience,soasto
tieinagain,inabatelyvisible,elliptical,andvittuallashion,withaptob-
lematicandtextsthatNancydoesnotmentionandthatweshallsoontty
totecognize,inthischaptetandthelollowingones.
1hen comes a question lot Nancy, as l j ustsaid.whyclose this |ist`
Whythiswayolpunctuating`Andlotacotpusottable,whatdothesus-
pensionpointssigniilnotaconcessiontoavagueetcetet `Andwhy
notadeduction,then`Whyanenamera/isn, aax/assi/isn,ar/esex/ra
ar/es, ptecisely, as helikes to saysoolten) , thetewhete oneexpetience
hndsitsellimplicatedinadvance inanothet one, andconj oinedto an
othet one, whatevetthe otiginality oteven the acute independence ol
eachonemaybe` lotintheend,can onebecatessingwithoutdoing
aetalashion,tobesute-somanyothetthingsthatpettaintothesame
tactilecotpus, andmakingothetgestutessuchasskimming, gtazing,
ptessing, andsolotth` Moteovet, doesn'tNancyhimsellsubttactltom
thelistoneconcept,whichhetutnsintoasottolttanscendentalolallthe
othetones,namely, toweigh, theactolweighing, theone thatcomes
last` Doesn't he state immediatelyaltetwatd that this multiplicity con-
vetgesintheend,beitbeyondanysyntheticcomposition`Evenwithout
synthesis, evetything communicateswithweighingin the end.A body
weighsalways,otletsitsellbeweighed,weighedout ,Csras,p. ?) .
1hisi s anothetwayolsayingthat,i nthis/ac/i/ecsras, onei s dea|ing
lesswithacategotial listolopetationsthatconsistintouchingthanwith
/hin/ing, whichis tosaypondeting, aeighingthatwhichgivesitsellovet
to tactin athousandways, namely, thebody, thecsras, inasmuchas it
weighs-andthetelote, inacettainway, /hin/s.Whethet thinkingisex-
tended otweighs, a|ongtheway, wehave appatent|ymovedtomtheex-
tensionolalsyche ,the soul ot thoughtis extended) toweight,body
weight,abodyweighsalways) ,aswellastheweightolthought.
/ IhisIs-/heO/he
Now,thischangessomethingas latastactandtouchingateconcetned.
Extension can temain intelligible ,with Descattes) otsensibleinsensible
,withKantandalewothets) ,andthusintangibleheextensionolabody,
abodyinasmuchas it is extended,canthustemainuntouchable.Canone
sayasmuchaboutabodyotthoughtthataeighs
Letusnoteinpassingthat1heWeightola1hought,asectionolthe
bookIheCai/Ihsagh/,wotksoutadsa//eqaes/isn,withabteadth,
aptecision, andalotcethatlwillnotttytoteconstitutehete. litst, itis
thequestionoltheetymologythattelatesthinking_ense toweighing
_ese , then,bythesamesttoke,thequestion olthehguteolspeech
seemingtohaveastakeinanintimatecoapptoptiationolthinkingand
weighing , p.
/
6) . Nancydoesnotgiveuptheetymologist'sdesite, not
doeshegiveinto it, ottoanyolthetemptations that|eanlaulhanso
tightlydenouncedinhisbookonetymologicalptool . . . tohaveus
accede, Nancysays,atleastbyteasonolattacedepositedinlanguage,
toaweightyweighingptopettyolthought,whichwouldbeidenticaltoa
thinkingptopettyoltheweightything ,Weightola1hought,p. /6) .
Hequestionsthepostulationolthisitteptessibledesite,andthisleads
himtoasetiesolundecidableotconttadictotyptoposiions,olwhichhe
thenaccepts,lotmalizes, and,let'ssay) powetlully/hin/sthenecessity. lt
goeswithoutsayingthatweshallhndthisnecessitytobeidenticalotanal-
ogous,againwiththesameptoblems,onthesubjectoltouching.Heteis
j ustoneexampleolthesedenselotmulations.
Thisisnottosaythattheintimateco-apptoptiationofthinkingandweigh-
ingisametehguteofspeech,otthephantasmofasomewhatalchemicalma-
tetialism.Ontheconttaty, thisapptoptiationiscettainandabsolute.Theact
ofthinkingisanactualweighing,itisthevetyweighingofthewotld,ofthings,
oftherea/assenseo theco-apptoptiationofsenseandthetealisptecisely
thatbywhichexistencealwaysptecedesitselasitself,thatistosay,insofatas
itiswithoutessence-insofatasitisthewithout-essence.
Thisabsolutelyindubitablepointoftheteciptocalandatchi-otiginatyap-
ptoptiationofweighingandthinking,whichisttulythecteationofthewotld)
isequally, identically,theabsolute pointofinapptoptiability.wehavenomote
accesstotheweightofsensethan ,consequently) tothesenseofweight.
Anditisnothavingsuchanaccessthatmakesusthinkingaswellasweighty
beings, andthat sttikes the chotd within us, as se/ces, ofthis discotd of
weightandthoughtthatconstitutesthewholeweightofathought.
,Thisdoesnotmeanthatsuchaccesswouldbeavailablefotothetbeings
Ihe|n/sacha//e, sr/heloasA/s/inence /;
theco-apptoptiationof weighingandthinking,j ustasi t i s teachedi netymol-
ogyonlythtoughametaphoticaltevetsal/asca/e] thatalwaysptecedesitself,is
inandofitselfinaccessibleanddehnitelyso itstetmsdeneitintbsway,j ust
astheycommandittooccupyitsplace-without-access.) ibid. , pp.;6;;)
1hisplacewithoutaccessseemstoovetdetetmineitsell, illamnotbe-
ingimptudentotightyhete,inbelongingtoasenseoltheasr/dasear/h,
whichistosayacettainlawolgtavity-tobepondeted.

lnthiscontext,ashedoeselsewheteandsoolten,Nancytepeatedlyhas
tecoutse tothelexicon olexac/i/ade,exact, exactly, andsoon) ,wotds
thatatesosttangelylamiliattohimdweshallcomebackagaintothese
wotds, which hete seem patticulatly apptoptiate ,notwithstanding the
usualtesetvationsthathavej ustbeentecalled) ,ilnottesetvedlotthealhn-
itybetweenthinkngandweighing.1hinkingweighsexac/qtheweightol
sense,ot Iheaeigh/sa/hsagh/isqai/eexac/q_/resexac/emen/}theinap-
ptoptiabilityolapptoptiation,ottheimptoptietyoltheptopet, ptopetto
theptopetitsell,absolutely) . Atthevetymomentwhenhesupetlativizes
exactitude qai/eexactly) , ahypetbolic ovetbidding comes tochatactet-
ize-ptecisely, exactly-an imptoptiety, aninapptoptiability, something
likeaninexactitude.ltwouldseemasilallolNancyissigningthisgestute
,theminutedihetenceolalettet, n,ispoised inltench betweenthinking
andweighing,enserandeser) . neettogiveup thesummonsolexacti-
tude,themostexac/ing, demandingpetition,as onewouldsayinEnglish
,themostexigent,asttingent,enjoining) ,atthevetymomentwhenlimits
becomeinaccessible,conttadictotyotundecidable,andappatentlydespait-
ingolanyexactdetetmination. Always,Nancytemainsdetetminingand
detetmined-thatishisptobity-withinthethinkingweighingolwhat
best tesists detetmination,whichhedetetminesinadetetminedandde-
tetmininglashionpteciselyinthat,inthisplace, tothislimit,atthispoint
-beitavanishingpoint.Let'sj ustsaythathewotksonweighingthinking
the unthinkableunweighable _/'imen)sa//e exactly hegauges ,thinks-
weighs)theimpossibleasexactlyas possible,whetebyhetemainsatigot-
ous philosophetat thevetymomentwhen the limits olthe philosophic
cometottemble.ltiswithoutttembling,then,thatNancysubmitshim-
selltothettembling.
Andsoheisatwotkontheconceptandwotksattheconcept,andh tst
theconceptolwhathetetmstheexscri/edwhichneedstobeanalyzedex-
actlyinitstelationto theconcept,tostyle, andtotheNanceanethosol
exac/i/ade.

'
l
/ IhisIs-s/heO/he
Whilethesetextshaveoenbeenttanslated,theytemainunttanslatable,
nodoubt.1heyspeaktousolthisunttanslatabiliy, olthisttacedeposited
inlanguage. HowisonetottanslateintoEnglishotGetmantheanity
inltenchbetweenenseandeseOnemightwishmoteoltentohaveat
one'sdisposalasetolanalysesassobetingas these, asvigilantandlaitwith
tegatd to etymologistic desite otmetaphoticpowet, to undecidableand
nondialecticizableconttadictions,whensuchanalhnityinsctibedinan-
othetlamilyollanguagesisatissue-lotexample,concetningthought,the
alhnitybetweenden/enanddan/enandthinkingandthanking. Even
inltench,weoen telettoit,attheptecisemomentwhen,inHeidegget's
wake,weseekthe specihcityola/hin/ingthat can be teducedneithetto
poettynottophilosophynottoscience.Andsomeateoltencontentwith
an admiting, ttusting, even incantatotyteletence to the mitacle ollan-
guage Getman otEnglish, inwhich thesamegiltmaybe tecognized in
thoughtandthanks, andhete,inthehtstplace,agiltollanguages,the
goodluck,asegelputit,olanidiomthatisotiginallyspeculative.
llonegaveintothesamewondet, onewouldpointout thatthevetb
ese,toweigh)isconjugatedinltenchsima//anesasqasbothttansitive
andinttansitive, pteciselylikethevetbense,tothink) .1his simulta-
neouslyatasttokebestowsitsgenius, itssttokeolgenius, uponthissen-
tenceolNancy's. Lapensepseexactementepoids dusens ,litetally,
1hinking otthoughtweighsexactlytheweightolsense) .1heeventol
thissentencetakesplaceonceonly ltsignalsaninvention,signedbutte-
assignedtotheaccountollanguage,thelanguageonespeaks,apptoptiates,
yet nevetpossesses. 1hus, one canwell seethathis sentence, 1hought
weighsexactlytheweightolsenseplaysout,whiletespectingitexactly,an
unstablegtammat,asyntaxthatisunttanslatableinitsduplicity
i. 1tansitivitythoughtaeighs, andbyweighingitexaminesandweighs
outwhatitisweighing,evaluatingsenseexactlyitindicatesitsexactweight.
2. lnttansitivity thought aeighs.itisweightyas much aspondetingot
thinking ithastheweightolsense itweighs, itsell, whatsenseweighs,
neithetmotenotless,exactly.
What,then,isthehypothesiswotththatNancyonhisowndoesnotjux-
taposemodalitiesoltactility:Andthehypothesisthatthetheme,inhistac-
tilecotpus,iscotpusasmuchasitistact:lbelieveittobeconhtmedbyan-
Ihe|n/sacha//e s/helasA/s/inence /;
othetpieceolevidence.l nthisopenseties,sincei t isamattetolthinking
thebodysoonetthantactility,wecanalsohnd-andlhaveundetscoted
sensiblepetceptionsnototdinatilyassociatedwithtouch,lotexample/ss/
ing, /is/ening, sme/ing, /as/ing. Allthesensesateincludedinthis/ac/i/ecs-
as, notonlytouching,butalsoseeing, heating, smelling,andtasting.
-Wetentyouasking,evenbelotethebeginning,whethetwecouldca-
tessot sttoke each othetwithouteyes:And touch thelookthattouches
you:
-We ateslowlyapptoachingthegaeoltouch. Eatliet, lspokeola
contaminationotacontagionthatwould havethepeculiatityolputting
incontact,withoutcontact)contactandnoncontactContaminationthen
becomes what it is not it disidentih es itsell. lt disidentihes evetything
evenbeloteitdisidentihesi/seltdisapptoptiates,itdisapptoptiatesitsel
itattainswhatitshouldnevetsigni,namely,anintettuptionoltelations
andtheex-ptoptietyoltheptopet.
1helawinlactcommandstotouchai/hsa/touchingit.Avowolabsti-
nence.Nottotouchtheltiend,lotexample,byabstaningltomgivinghim
aptesentotltomptesentingoneselltohim,outolmodestyaadea,
tonot/sachhimenoughistobelackingintacthowevet,/s/sachhim,and
totouchhimtoomuch, totouchhimtothequick,isalsotactless.
es,onewillhaveto talkaboutthecatess,whichcannotbeteducedto
simplecontact,beitcontactwiththeothet,nottoanyoltheothetexpe-
tiencesthathavebeenevoked,beloteandaetsttoking. 1hecatessgives
stakes.dotitgives andtakes. lngivingittakes itgives to take it
takesupgiving-whatonecallspleasutealittlehastily. lnpleasute,theca-
tessbesiegesus, itinvestsuswithanontheoteticalandbesettingquestion,
withawottyconstitutiveolpleasuteitsellWhatisthispleasute:Whatis
that:Whetedoesitcomeltom:ltomtheothetotlomme:mltaking
it:Amlgivingit:lsittheothetwhogivesittome: Ottakesitltomme:
1hetimeolthispleasute-isitthatlamgivingi/m,seAndsolotth.
Andilall these hypotheseswete not conttadictotyotincompatible,how
would one needtothinkthem: Declate them:Even conlessthem:Con-
lessing them and touching them as thestakes oltouch itsell, as ilthe
gtammatolthetesponsetoacknowledgedgtatitude,1hankyoulotwhat
you give me) temained undecidable ,utno, l'm not giving you any-
thing,l'mgivingm,se . . . , etc. ou'tesaying, l'mgivingmysel lsthat
IhisIs-s /heO/he
so:Doyou mean tosay, l'm givingmysell'ot 'm giving mysell/smy-
sell' : etc. ) .
1hecatessndsitsellnolessahectedbythisanddividedinttuthbythis
salvo olconttadictotyinj unctions. 1heotdet, thecommandisnolonget
altogethetthatoltact.totouchwithouttouching,toptesswithoutptess-
ing,always mote,alwaystoomuch,nevetenough, togivewithouthold-
ingbackottetaining,butwithtesttaint, togivetoholdwithoutholding
on, togivewithoutimposition. 1iens' 1hete'Holdontothis'1akeit'
Haveit'1tans. .Whatisonesaying,whatisonegivingtoundetstand,
when onesays1iens' : lswhatiswantinghetethevittualshadow, at
least,olahandgestute,1iens' . 1akethis' ) ,atouchinghandotahand-
ingone,ahandgiventotouchtheothet,anextendedhandheldoutotex-
tendingsomethingtotheothet:1iens' 1akethis'uttact'scommandis
neithettotendetnottogtaspoutselvesandeachothetwithoutttembling,
withoutsometelinquishmentattheheattoltheseizing.1actenj oinsnot
totouch,nottotakewhatonetakes,ottathetnottobetakeninbywhat
onetakes.1actbeyondcontact.Whichdoes notnecessatilymeantosaya
nea/a/iza/isnoltouching.
Oneoloutconcetnsincidentallybeatsonthisenigmatichypothesisol
neuttality. Could thete bea touch ottactile expetience that is neuttal`
Andthiscanbeundetstoodinmultipleways-thteeatleast.
J. 1hewayola/hese/ica//sach, thatistosayobj ective, knowing,ex-
plotatotyintheepistemicsenseolthiswotd.touchinginotdettoknow,
inieastheknowledgeolans/ec/. thatwhich is/esnesebut can
thusalsoptesentitselltosight ,thetheotem)otthatwhichesis/sandseems
moteapptoptiatelothapticalobj ectivity,theptivilegeolthetheotetical
touchhasalwaysbeencenttalinevetyphilosophyoltouch.
2. 1hewayolatouchptecedinganydtive,investedotcommitted,/e-
ecaessess//sas,andevenbelote this ptehensileand comptehensive
gtaspingthatonecandetectinthemosttheoteticaloltouches.
;.1hewayolahensmens/sgica/nea/a/iza/isn,a phenomenological
teduction, whichwouldleaveintact-in otdetto analyze themotde-
sctibetheitconstitution-alltheintentionalmodalities thatwehavej ust
mentioned.
Conttadictotyinj unctions, thus, attheheattoltouch. Cantheystill
give tise to a phenomenology, ottowhatEmmanuel evinastetmeda
phenomenologyolvoluptuousness as eatlyas intheyeatsi,6/, in
thehtsteditionolIimeand/heO/he '

Oneday,togethetandsepatately,
Ihe|n/sacha//e, sr/heoasA/s/inence
//
onewillindeedhavetoteteadthesetwo thinkingapptoachestotheca-
tess,Levinas'sandNancy's,andltomtheoutsetlollowthisthemewithin
eacholtheitttaj ectoties,motepatticulatlyinotdettopinpointtheitte
spectivedihetencesintelationtophenomenology,beyondthedisctepan-
ciesthatkeepthemapatt.
lnLevinas'swotk,longbelote I/a/iandInni/,,i,6i) anditslhe-
nomenologyolEtos, Iimeand/heO/herincludesachaptet,Etos, which
tells olthecatessascontactbeyondcontact. 1he catessisamodeolthe
subject'sbeing,whetethesubjectwhoisincontactwithanothetgoesbe-
yondthiscontact. Contactassensationispattolthewotldollight,Iime
and/heO/her,p.?,) .Whichisanothetwayolsayingthatthecatesscatties
beyondphenomenality, indeedbeyondanycontactsensation,otanycon-
tactas sensation, anddoesnotshatewithsightthisbeingenclosedwithin
atotality,thisbelongingtotheimmanenceolthewotld.oluptuousnessis
notapleasutelikeothets, itis notsolitaty. Somewhattecklessly, Lev-
inas then states that eating anddtinking, on theothethand, atesolitaty
pleasutes,wheteasthecatesstakesawayetoticexpetienceltomanylusion
andtecallstheexceptionalplaceoltheleminine.
Letus not lingethete ovetthisaspect,whichl have touchedonelse-
whete letusj ustkeepitcompanylotastepbeyondthestop,theone
cattyingthisanalysisolcatessinglutthetthantouching,thoughs/i/inac-
csrdanceai/h/hehand /hehandsnq. Contactassensationispattolthe
wotld ollight.utwhatiscatessedisnottouched, ptopetlyspeaking. lt
isnotthesonessotwatmtholthehandgivenincontactthatthecatess
seeks.1heseekingolthecatessconstitutesitsessencebythelactthatthe
catessdoesnotknowwhatitseeks.1hisnotknowing,'thislundamental
disotdet,istheessential ,Levinas, meand/heO/her, p ?,) .
1helimitseemsunequivocal,butitissubtle.Levinas,Levinas'shand,is
ptoposingit. ltomtheoutset,weatecleatlytoldthatthecatessdoesnot
lallundetthesensecalledtouch,notevenundetcontactotthesensation
onetelatesto contact. whatiscatessedis not toucbed, nottouched,
ptopetlyspeaking. lsthiscleatenough` One couldbetemptedto put
thisptopositionside bysidewithMauticeMetleaulonty'swhenthelat-
tet,withouthowevetnamingthecatess, speaksolacettainan/sacha/i/i/,
oltheothet, ot tathetoltheothetinasmuchastheothetcomptisessome
untouchableandthusgivesmeaccesstothisthinkingoltheuntouchable
assuch.
! 1
utthissamelanguageimmediatelyacknowledgesthati ti shostageto
IhisIs-s /heO/he
thetotic. Levinasspecihesthatitisonlywithtegatdto touchingptopetly
speakingthatthecatesstemainsalienothetetogeneous. ltisonlywithte-
gatdtosensationaswotldollightwithtegatdtoknowingandowing
whatoneseeksthatthecatessgoes /e,sn1hecatessttanscendstouch,
sensibility, andknowingptopetlyspeaking. utLevinasmakesbelieve
thatheteweknowwhatspeakingmeanstosayptopetlyspeaking,andwhat
touching,sensation, light, andknowledgesigniptopetlyspeaking.
Atthetimeolmeand/heO/he,andpethapslatetstill,Levinasmain-
tainsandkeepsthisdiscoutsewithinanontologicalcode.Heblameslteud
lot not undetstandingthis pleasute in thegenetal economyolbeing.
utalteadyhematchestheexpetienceolthecatessandits notknowing
accotdinglywiththeapptehensionoltime, withputetempotalizationas
absoluteanticipation. Oneistemptedtosayolthis ,thoughthisisobvi-
ouslynotLevinas'slanguagehete)

thatitisquasimessianic. 1hecatess
istheexpectationolthisputelutute ,to come) ,withoutcontent , Iime
and/heO/he, p. ?, . Moteinsistently Mythesis,whichconsistsinal-
htmingvoluptuousnessasthevetyeventolthelutute,thelututeputih ed
olall content, thevetymystetyolthelutute,seekstoaccountlotitsex-
ceptionalplace ,ibid. , p. ,o .
ltisthisattentiongiventothelututethatisthekeynoteoltheanalyses
devoted tolove and Etos in I/a/i/,andInni/, utthewotdlutute
could still misead usilweheatdin itmetelythe modalityolatime be-
yondthenowptesentthatwilllotmthehotizonolanothetpossible,vit-
tual,andptomisedptesent.1hechaptetdevotedtothelhenomenology
olEtosspecihesinthistespectandundetscotesagainwhatLevinashad
j ustwtittenonthe scote ol1heAmbiguityolLove, whichis to say,
thtough the lacehltets the obscutelightcomingltombeyond the lace,
ltomwhatisns/ ,e/,ltomalututenevetlututeenough,motetemotethan
thepossible ,Levinas, I/a/i/,andInni/,, p. z;|) . ' 1hetewhetetheca-
tess aims atthe tendet, it catties towatd thelutute beyondthe lutute,
whichhete simultaneouslymeansbeyondalututeptesentandthevety
possibilityolabeingable,olevetyl can. 1hatiswhy amtemptedto
say,inalanguagethatisnolongetLevinas's butdoes not necessatilybe-
ttayhim eithet, thatthetewhete touchwithouttouching, in catessing,
theotdetolthe ptomiseitselliswhathndsitselltheteuponexceededot
disqualihed,andwithittheotdetolwhatonequietlythinksandhtsun-
detthecategotyolpetlotmatives,olanlcanthatwouldhavethepowet
toptoduceaneventthtoughalegitimatizedspeechact, inasutecontext,
Ihe|n/sacha//e, s/helsA/s/inence
/,
andlollowingagteed-uponconventions.1heeventassuch,iltheteisany,
couldn'tcate less aboutthepetlotmativeotthe constative. ln catessing,
andevenwhentheonedoingthesttokingisbeingsttoked,withoutthete
evetbeingtheleastsymmettyotthecommonmeasuteolsometeciptoc-
ity, thiseventallectsus,beloteanddespiteanypossibilityandanypowet
olbeing-able,anylegitimacyolan lcan, andevenanlknow. Should
thecatessbeanevent,thatiswhathappenswithit.
Levinas does notsayitinthisway, to besute, andsutelywhat l j ust
suggestedis, pethaps-lcan'tbesute,sometetminologicaldecisionshould
stillatbittatehete)validlotanyeventwotthyolthename, beyondwhat
we mightwishtocitcumsctibeasanattow, litetal sense olthecatess.ut
ilthisdeleat ,whichis notnecessatilyanunlottunateone)olthepetlot-
mativelacingtheeventtemainsthetightlulconseqenceolwhatLevinas
tellsusaboutthecatess, abouttheegimeoltendetness andthelutute
nevetlututeenough,motetemotethanthepossible, inttuth, theob
scutelightcomingltombeyondthelace, thenwhathndsitsellexceeded
is not onlythe otdet olpowet, olknowledge, oltempotalityotdeted in
theptesent,theotdetolthetheoteticalconstativeottheptaxicandpto-
ductivepetlotmative,itistheotdetolthelaceitsell. Hencetheexttaot-
dinaty equivocal otequivocation ,whichis thetetminologyLevinas
uses tepeatedly) matking thiswhole apptoach olthevoluptuouscatess.
Equivocal-lotwhath ltetsthtoughthelaceexceeds thelace.Likethe
Hesh,1hecatnal, thetendetaexce/encecottelativeolthecatess, ln
thecatnalgiven to tendetness,thebodyquitsthestatus olanexistent
Levinas, I/a/i/,andInni/,, p. z;? ) , 'thecatess,inLevinas'sanalyses,
isunsettlinglotallthatisotdetedinkeepingwiththelace,whichistosay
almostevetything. Anddoesn'twhatwe suggest olthe equivocal also
suittheexotbitant, Levinas'sothetptedicate,whichheaccotdsonateg-
ulat basisto this expetienceolthecatnalcatess:1heexs/i/an/makes a
sign towatdwhatwetecognizedinNancy on thescote olhypetbolicex-
cessandwhatisexac/qexcessieandtigotouslypatoxysmal,whilenotpass-
ingovetevetythingtowatdwhatevetthinginwhichevetway.AslotLev-
inas,hespeaksolexttemeltagilityatthelimitolbeing, olexs/i/an/
ulttamatetiality,concetningthetegimeoltendetnessandtheepiph-
anyoltheeloved,andabouttheelovedotAime,weshallbeasking.
whyonly this leminine lotm:) . 1hese supetlatives, bettet than meta-
phots,denoteasottolpatoxysmolmatetiality. lutthet,itistheexhibi-
tionistnudityolanexs/i/an/ptesence ottheexs/i/an/exhi/i/isnism,
?o IhisIs-s/heO/he
which isaptoductionolbeing ,ibid. , pp. z;6;/) . ' Whatbecomesex-
otbitantdoes not onlyexceedotdistutbtheontologicthatLevinas calls
inquestiononategulatbasis. lt/hea/ensthevetyethicstowhichLevnas
appealssopowetlully.
Ihea/. thewotdisnot too sttong,lotallthisasodesctibesthethteat-
eningpatexcellence, as agood numbetolLevinas'slotmulasletitcome
actoss.We havetoinsistonthislot/heeeassnsatleast,eachbeingolquite
adilletentotdet.
On/hesnehand,itcomesdowntothelimitsoltheethicsandaxiomat-
icsolthelacethatateincommandolLevinas'sdiscoutseon thissubject.
On/hes/hehandwheteptomisecattiesbeyondthepossibleotthelu-
tutewhiletemainingaptomise,anaim, anexpectationolans/,e/mote
temotethanalutute,wheteptomisecomptisesathteat,itistheconcept
itselloltheptomise, initsclassicaldehnition,thath ndsitsellaa/sma/i-
ca/qdeconsttucted.
A//as/,wheteLevinascoutageouslytakesitintoaccount,sexualdillet-
encecanbeanalyzedhetewithinanexptesslydissymmetticspace.ltsanal-
ysisissignedbyamasculine signatute.1heteisatesolutelyvitilesin/s
ieathete,otasin/scsn/ac/,contactthattoucheswithouttouchingthe
untouchable) , andthisdiscutsiveptivilegeinitstutnseemsuntouchable.
A adiscutsive,philosophic, andphenomenologicalptivilege, itisallthe
moteuntouchable,unchangeableinthatthelemininethteatenseventhe
otdetoldiscoutseandlanguage.1heleminineistheOthetteltactotyto
society, membetoladualsociety, an intimatesociety, asocietywithout
language ,Levinas, I/a/i/,andInni/,, p. z6;) . l ndeed, the touching
toucholthecatessistouching,withouttouching) ontheuntouchableas
inviolable, andtheonesttokingisalwaysmasculineandthesttokedone
,theuntouchable)leminine.
Letusbequtespecih caboutthesethteepoints andlotclatity's sake
ptoceed as ilwe could distinguishthem, althoughtheyatettulyindisso-
ciable,astheqotationswillshow.
J . litst,thatwhichseemstoextendpastthelimitsolethicsand thelace,
thetelotethteateningthem, ltomthesideoltheleminine. Onthisside,
thevoluptuouscatessindeedtunsthetiskollockingthingsupinsectecy,
clandestinity, theasocial,butalso inanimality 1he questionolthe sectet
andsectecyisat the centet oltheseanalyses, asecteta/snce, sima//ane-
sasq,goodandbad,untouchableandtouched,inviolableandviolated,sa-
ctedandptolane.Aswewillsee, thisa/snce, sima//anesasqdehnesptola-
Ihe|n/sacha//e, s/helasA/s/inence ?
nationitsellandequivocation,thesimultaneityol theclandestineandthe
exposed dcsae/ . 1his equivocation olnegationwithout negativity,
whichis matkedin the analysisbythetecuttenceolasilandwithout
, without essenceolthisnon-essence, appeatswithoutappeating,
andsolotth) ,willthetelotehavebeentheacceptedambiguityolthisdis-
coutsewithtegatdtowhatiscalledttuth,phenomenon,appeating,ontol-
ogy,andphenomenology.Nothingless.1hatiswhatistouchedupon,one
mightsay, without,onthelaceolit, anysemblanceolatouch. Sttoking
thought. Exotbitantulttamatetiality,olwhichwespokeeatliet
. . . designates the exhibitionist nudityofanexotbitantptesencecomingas
though ftom fatthet than the ftankness ofthe face, alteadyptofaning and
whollyptofaned,asifithadfotcedtheintetdictionofasectet. Iheessentia/
hidden throas itseqtoaardthe/ight, aithoat/ecomingsignqcation.Notnoth-
ingness-butwhatisnotyet.Withoutthisuntealityatthethtesholdofthe
tealoffetingitse|fas a possible to begtasped,withoutthe clandestinityde-
sctibingagnoseologicalaccidentthatoccutstoabeing slightlymodihed
Ttans. | . 8eing not yet is not a this ot a that, clandestinity exhausts the
essenceofthisnon-essence. lntheefftontetyofits ptoduction this clandes-
tinityavowsanoctutnallifenotequivalenttoadiutnallifesimplydeptivedof
light,itisnotequivalenttothesimpleinaardnessofasolitatyandinwatdlife
whichwouldseekexptessioninotdet toovetcomeitsteptession lttefetsto
the modestyithasptofanedwithoutovetcoming.Thesectet appeatswithout
appeating, notbecauseitwouldappeathalf-way, otwithtesetvations,otin
confusion. Thesimultaneityoftheclandestineandtheexposedpteciselyde
h nesronation ltappeatsin equivocation. ,Levinas, Iota/it,andInnit,,
pp. z,6

,;

Equivocation olthe catess in the untouchable's touching, the invio

lable'sviolation,thecatessthteatenstheethical,sinceitcattiesbeyondthe
lace. utwhatgoes beyondthelace, always lollowingthe samecon-
ttadiction ollotmallogic, isstillalace, a lace thatgoesbeyondthe
lace. Esshencegoesbeyondthelace ,ibid. , p. z6 .Lightthatgoesbe-
yondlight-notonlybeyondlightandvision, butevenbeyondexptes-
sion andsignihcation. Andthis isdecidedlyseenmakinganinsctiption
onthesideoltheleminine,seeminglymsding, thenvetilyda/ing, in-
tentionality. ltis as ilthepassagequotednextmovedall but insensibly
ltoman intentionalitywithoutvision towhatwouldbeanaltogethet
dilletentthing, namely, amodelolbeingitteducibletointentionaity.
Onegoes,thetelote,ltomasttangekindolintentionalitytowhatwould
IhisIs-s /heO/he
nolongetbeintentionalatall.1ochingonthentochable,acatessnot
onlybtingsabotwhatcomesaboteachtimeonesaystochingthen-
tochable,ottochingai/hsa/toching,withotwithotcatesses) ,that
is,onenolongetqiteknowswhatoneissayingotwantingtosay,oneno
longetqite knowswhattochingis, initsptopetsense, in itsessential
ptedicateOncemote,thoghinasensedilletingltomtheoneweintet-
ptetedwithKantasastattingpoint,weatedealingwithinsensiblesensi-
bility, beyondallsensiblesotonthissideolthem. 1hecatess,likecon-
tact,issensibility. tthecatessttanscendsthesensible,ibid. , p. z;
/
) . y
thesamesttoke, thesamesttoking,tathet, the catess isalsoenogh to
sendshivetsthtoghotawhole ideaolphenomenology, andptecisely
thetewhetethecatessmightbeexpetienceitselpteexpetience,expeti-
encebeloteanyconcept-asonecanteadithete.
Voluptuosityptofanes itdoesnotsee. Anintentiona/it,aithoateision, dis-
covetydoesnotshedlightwhatitdiscovetsdoesnotptesentitselfassignq-
cation and illuminatesnohotizon. Thefeminineptesentsafacethatgoesbe-
ondtheface.Thefaceofthefeminine,aime)] beloved lamemphasizing
thefeminineaimetoundetscotemypetplexitywhynotamasculine/aim,
otLtos`-|. . ] does not ex,ressthesectet thatErosptofanes-itceasesto
exptess,ot, ifoneptefets,itexptessesonlythistefusaltoexptess, thisendof
discoutseandofdecency, thisabtuptintettuptionoftheotdetofptesences.
lnthefemininefacetheputityofexptessionisalteadyttoubledbytheequiv-
ocation ofthe voluptuous. Lxptession is invetted i to indecency, alteady
closeontotheequivocalwh|chsayslessthannothing,alteadylaughtetand
taillety.
ln thissensevoluptuosityis aputeexpetience, anexpetiencewhichdoes
notpassintoanyconcept,whichtemainsblindlyexpetience.ltofanation,the
tevelationofthehiddenashidden,constitutesamodelofbeingitteducibleto
intentionality which is objecti[ingeven in ptaxis, fot nottakingleave of
numbetsandbeings. Loveisnotteducibletoaknowledgemixedwithaf-
fective elements which would open to it an unfoteseen plane ofbeing. lt
gtaspsnothing,issuesinnoconcept,doesnotissae,hasneithetthesubject-
obj ectsttuctutenotthel-thousttuctute.Ltosisnotaccomplishedasasub-
j ectthathxesanobject,notasapto-jection,towatdapossible.ltsmovement
consistsingongbeyondthepossible
Thenon-signi[ingnessofetoticnuditydoesnotptecedethesigni[ingness
ofthefaceastheobscutityoffotmlessmattetptecedestheattist'sfotms. ltal-
teadyhasfotmsbehindit itcomesftomthefutute,ftomafututesituatedbe
yondthefututewheteinpossiblesscintillate. ,ibid. , pp. z6o-6i) .

Ihs|n/sacha//s, sr/hsasA/s/insncs
2. Whatannouncesitsellinthisway, beyondthelututeandthepossi-
ble, is alsowhatinttoduces thethteatinto the ptomise. Equivocation,
ptolanation, indecency, indisctetionatenotgood. Andil1obelotthe
Othetistobegood, asLevinassaysalittleluttheton,itisindeedevilot
wickedness,asthelace'sbeyond, thatwindsitsellintothelaceitselland
theptomiseoletotic movement, itsgoodmovementollove.1hisdoes
notlotbidtheptomisebutmakesuscallintoquestionagain,oncemote,
alltheanalysesoltheptomiseanditspetlotmativevittue.Accotdingto
theseclassicanalysesand common senseitsell, theptomise, thepetlot-
mative oltheptomise,doesmake the assumptionthatonewill ptomise
onlywhatisgood,thegoodthings-andthataptomise,initsessence,in
itsputesignihcationasptomise,beputeandlteeolanythteat.Oneptom-
isestosave,otgive,togivelilehtstandlotemost,onethteatenstokillot
takeaway, to take away lile htst and lotemost. Accotding to the good
senseolcommonsense, oneshouldnevetptomiseto give anddealout
death.ltecallthisheteagain,'initsptincipleandsketchily,solelytoshow
that,insolatastheyateconvincing,theseanalysescomptiseal ogicthatis
itsellthteatening.bothlotsenseandontophenomenology, aswellasthe
theotyolspeech acts ,which incidentally takes lotgtantedawhole im-
plicitotexplicitontophenomenologicalaiomatics,andoenaphiloso-
phyolintentionality) .
)
.Anevident dissymmettyotganizesthis phenomenologyoletos. lt
isEtos'sphenomenology,thephenomenologys Etos-asubjectivegen-
itive,whichistosayptoducedandledltomEtos'spointolview,themas-
culine s} sttokingone, andnotltomhets,thelemininelovedone, lem-
ininity, the leminine tendet one. He is sttoking, she is sttoked. He is
touching,catessing,butdoesnottouch.A lothet,shetemainsuntouch-
ableevenwhensheisbeingsttoked.Onehastheleelingthatshenevetca-
tesses. lnotdet to conhtm this andj ustioutastonishment, and even
petplexity, let us choose, ltomamonga gteat numbet olequivalent ot
convetgingptopositions,theoneslikelytoptovidenoutishmentlotavit-
tualdialoguewitheanLucNancy. lnhis/ac/i/scsras,whetehespeaks
ols/rs/ing, thelattetdoesnotseemtogtantaptivilegetoany onesideol
sexualdilletence-andl shouldtathetsaysexualdilletences. ltomthis,
somewouldhastilyconcludethatheneglectsotneuttalizesthesaidsex-
ualdilletence. ut, in otdet to doj usticeto this dilletence, inotdetto
avoidneuttalizingitinthe name olthe neuttal , pteciselywhat Levinas
IisIs-s/heO/her
wantstoavoiddoing) ,shouldonelavotadissymmetty, aswelasthepte-
sumedsexualidentityolthesignatoty
LevinashabituallynamesthemoteotlessmythologicalEtos, ottathet

tos/heEtos ,I/a/i/,andInni/,,pp. z;6ll. ) ,adesignationthathes-

itates betweenssmesneandssme/hing. 8ut hete itisalwaysthe hgute ol
an Etos with desites, desiting the lemininityolthe tendet one. One is
tempted thento ptoceedas il, to ptetend, ina btiel/a//eaa ian/, to
coupletheLevinassianEtos ,NancynevetnamesEtos, l think, outsideol
the text titled lsyche) and the Nancean lsyche ,Levinas nevet names
lsyche,lthink) lnotdettodothis, andlotthe/a//eaatolacknohnish-
ingtouch,onewouldhavetotestagemythologicalsequencesolsuchcom-
plexity, ovetabundance,anddivetsitythatonewouldnevetbedonewith
thealtetellects.ltisttuethatlsyche,theotiginallsychebutalsoNancy's)
beats some tesemblance to the lemininity at whose side Levinas's Etos
busieshimsell.excessivebeauty, vulnetableandpassivesell-exhibition,in-
violablevitginitypteytoenus'sealousy,enuswhomshetesembles,who
putshetsonLoveinchatgeolhetvengeance. hismattyingdeath,thenthe
youngwoman'ssleeping,thehusband's lotbidden,inaccessiblelace. my
lace,whichilthouoncelottunetosee. . . thoushaltseenomote, then
hettecognizingCupid,atthecostoltheittepatable,hisbutning,andat
last,yes,theitlegitimateunionasacouplewhentheheaedCupidwakes
lsycheltomhetlethatgyaltetlockingupsleep intoaboxagainandplead-
ingwithupitet.
Letusgiveup this testagingolthescene.
ltecallitheteonlysoastodteamalittle,inteadingtwothinkets,two
ltiends.Whatilthe one's lsychehad met theothet'sEtosHowwouldl
havebeen abletobeatwitnesstothat
Stillanothetteasonlotwatdingollthisinctediblescenewithoutdelay.
amongsomanyadditionalcomplications,itisnecessatytotakeintoac-
countOtphictheology,whichmakesEtoscomingoutoltheptimevalegg
into abisexual being , lhanes-Etos) , aclose telativeolAtistophanes' an-
dtogynous being-whichLevinas,letitbenoted, incidentallyintetptets
inhisown lashion, inTheAmbiguityolLove, belotehislhenome-
nologyolEtos, whenitallbegins.HeintetptetsAtistophanes'mythpte-
Ihe|n/sacha//e s/helasA/s/inence
ciselyasanintetptetation, anintetptetationmoteovetj ustihed,butalsoas
thevetydisastetolEtosot thedeleatingoldesiteinincest. 8utitisnec-
essatyalso tomeditateonthelact, onwhichLevinastouchesinpassing,
thatwhatas/esthisintetptetationandthusdesctibesthisdeleatinthe
mostegoistandctuelestolneeds is nothingothetthan enjoyment,
sexua| pleasute saissance lleasuteitsell, shouldthete beany'Theen-
j oymentolpleasutethatisbtoken thetewheteitissatished. ltis in
thiscontext,thistime,thatLevinasnamesthesoul-lsyche,thetelote,
butasistetsoulteadytotouchthetewheteoneshould not, anincestuous
soulmixingupdesiteandneed.
LoveasatelationwiththeOthetcanbeteducedtothisfundamentalimma-
nence,bedivestedofallttanscendence,seekbutaconnatutalbeing,asistet
soul,ptesentitselfasincestThemythAtistophanestellsinllato'sS,m,osiam,
inwhichlove teunitesthetwohalvesofone sole being, intetptetstheadven-
tuteas a tetutn to self.Theenjoymentj ustihes this intetptetation. ltbtings
intotelieftheambiguityofaneventsituatedatthelimitofimmanenceand
ttanscendence.Thisdesiteamovementceaselesslycastfotth,an intetmin-
ablemovementtowatdafututenevetfututeenough-isbtokenandsatished
asthemostegoistandctuelestofneeds.ltisasthoughthetoogteataudacity
ofthelovingttanscendencewetepaidfotbyathtowbackthissideofneed.
,Levinas,Iota/it,andInnit,, p. ,|)
Levinasbtoacheshisanalysiswhetethisincestuousconnatutalness,the
tetutntosellolthisunique,bisexualbeingintettuptsitselTheteislemi-
ninityandsheislemininity, atleastwhatweshalltetmminini/,. What
dowecallthiswayAndwhatdoes heSinceweatelavotingavittua| dia-
loguewithNancy,thethinketolthinking-weighingwhomweevokedeat-
liet, let us tematk that in I/a/i/,andInni/,, lemininity denotes the
weighingolacettainaeigh/,aheaviness,agtavityheavietthantealweight,
achatgeheavietthantheweightoltheteal-asubtettaneangtavity.That
iswhytheleminineisnot simplythegtacelulwhichittesemblesandwith
whichonealwaysassociatesit.Hete,itisgtavitywithoutgtace.Levinashas
j ustmentioned wanton nudity, etotic nudity Letus note inpassing
that this depth in the subtettanean dimension olthe tendetptevents it
ltombeingidentih edwith thegtacelul,whichitnevettheless tesembles.
The simultaneityottheequivocationolthis ltagilityand thisweightol
non-signiingnessnon-signihcance ,heavietthantheweightolthelotm-
|essteal,weshalltetmminini/,,ibid. , p. z;
/) .
Nevet will anycontact bteach the vitginityolthis lemininityolthe
.. |

? 6 IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
Aime,theleminine8eloved,Levinasnevet, lthink,speaksoltheAim,
the masculine 8eloved) . One can indeed violate het but only to tun
agtoundbelotehetinviolability. lot this Etos ,though somecouldsay
thatLevinasheteonly desctibesthepointolview,thedesiteotlantasyol
Etos, his phenomenological lantasy, expetience,what appeatshim) ,
lemininity is onlyviolable, that is, like the sectet that it is, inviolable.
lemininesignihesthelocusolthisconttadictionollotmallogic.vi-
olableinviolable, touchable untouchable. ltisss/sina /s sasias-e-
yondbeingbutthistime,itisnotgood,itisnottheood.
Tbe8eloved,atoncegtaspablebutintactinbetnudity, beyondobjectand
laceandtbusbeyondtbeexistent,abidesinvitginity.Tbeleminineessentially
violableandinviolable,tbeLtetnalleminine, istbevitginotan incessant
tecommencementolvitginity, tbeuntoucbableintbevetycontactotvolup-
tuosity, lututeintbeptesent. . . . Tbevitgintemainsunseiable,dyingwitb
outmutdet,swooning,witbdtawingintobetlutute, beyondevetypossible
ptomise to anticipation sligbtlymodih ed beteTtans. | .Alongsideoltbe
nigbtasanonymoustustlingoltbethereisextendstbenigbtoltbeetotic,be
bindtbenigbtolinsomniatbenigbtoltbebidden,tbeclandestine,tbemys-
tetious,landoltbevitgin, simultaneouslyuncovetedbyErosandtesingEros
anotbetwayolsayingptolanation. ,ibid. , pp.z,?,)
1ouchable-untouchable,violable-inviolable. theseategenetallotmsol
lotmal conttadictions. Without necessatily lollowing Levinas at this
point, onemaythinkthat theith eldisinptinciplenottesetvedlotthe
lemininityolwhichhespeaks.Thequestionwouldthennolongetcon-
cetnthesaidconttadiction itsellthe touchable-untouchable, violable
inviolablebuttathetthewayinwhichLevinasleminizestheconttadic-
tion,leminine- touchableuntouchable leminine- aviolableinviolable)
andindoingthisdetetminesthehguteoltheleminine.l insistonthisso
as tomatkthat,stattingltomthesameexpetience, namely, touchingol
theuntouchabeotthetouchable-untouchable, onemayinletdilleting,
evendivetgentandincompatible,discoutsesNancy's,lotexample,dihets
ltometleau-lonty's,whichdilletsltomLevinasswho, stattingltom
thisgenetal,conttadictotyptedicate,tobetouchable-untouchable, tobe
violable-inviolable,andsolotth) ,asilthisweteagoodconsequence,iden-
tihesleminine-being,lemininityas ittesponsibleanimality, inlantile,
theyounganma , nonsigniingness, otsignicationthatsignihes
lalsely. Andaboveallnontespect,thedistespectolyoushallnotcom-
Ihs|n/sacha//s, s/hslasA/s/insncs
mitmutdet. lndeed,such atethe ttaits olwhatLevinas tells usweshall
tetmlemininity. Thelattet,atleastinasmuchassheistheonesttokedby
the catess, is neithet a thing not a petson, but animality, childhood, a
younganimal,batelyahuman lile,batelyevenalile,almostthedeathol
alileignotantolitsdeath.
Tbecatessaimsatneitbetapetsonnotatbing. ltlosesitselfinabeingtbat
dissipatesastbougbintoanimpetsonaldteamwitboutwillandevenwitbout
tesistance, apassivity, an alteadyanimalotinfantileanonymity, alteadyen-
titelyatdeatb.Tbewilloftbetendetisptoducedinitsevanescenceastbougb
tootedinananimalityignotantofitsdeatb,immetsedintbefalsesecutityof
tbeelemental,intbeinfantilenotknowingwbatisbappeningto it . . . Tbe
tendetdesignatesamanner tbemannetofstandingintbenomans/andbe-
tweenbeingandnot-yet-being.Amannettbatdoesnotevensignalitselfasa
signihcation,tbatinnowaysbinesfottb,tbatisextinguisbedandswoons,es-
sentialftailtyoftbe feminine 8elovedptoducedasvulnetableandasmottal
sligbtlymodihedbete-Ttans. | . ,ibid. , p. z;p)
Theteisanimplacableconhgutationthete. lemininity, inlancy,animal-
ity, ittesponsibility. ltisinnowayttansient,itisinsistingliketheinsignil-
icant,ottathetthenon-signiingness olthewanton, invettedsignih-
cationolasignih cationthatsigniheslalsely ,ibid. , p. z6) . llweate
insistingonthisinsistence,itisbecauseithaspatadoxicalimplicationste-
gatdinglileanddeath, otmutdetandethics-thesense olduty-aswell
astheethicsolsocialotganizationandlilestyle.Whatimplications8elote
comingto this, letuspointoutinthesetegionsthedouble entendte, the
ambiguous use, ol as ,csmms) . This wotd hesitates in a signihcant-
insignihcantlashionbetweenthethetoticalasoltiskycompatisonsand
thephenomenologicalasolapptoptiatedesctiption,theinasmuchasol
aetmana/s. . S/a//a) This oscillation istegulat, ilnotconstant, in
Levinas.Theemphasisismine,olcoutse
Tbefeminine|belovedisopposedtomenotasawillsttugglingwitbmyown
ot as subject to myown, but on tbe conttatyas an ittesponsibleanimality
wbicbdoes notspeakttuewotds sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .Tbebeloved,
tetutnedtotbestageofinfancywitbouttesponsibilitytbiscoquettisbbead,
tbisyoutb,tbisputelifeabitsilly-basquitbetstatsasapetson.Tbeface
fades _smoasse] ,andinitsimpetsonalandinexptessiveneuttalityisptolonged,
inambguity intoanimality.TbetelationswitbtbeOtbetateenactedinplay
oneplayswitbtbeOtbetaswitbayounganimal.
?? IhisIs-s/heO/he
Thenon-signiingnessofthewantonisthetefotenotequivalenttothestu-
pidindiffetenceofmattet.Hsthetevetseofexptession ofwhat has lostex-
ptession,itthetebytefetstotheface. ,ibid , pp 6,-6|)
latadoxicalimplications,then.Thetactolacatess,thustutnedtowatd
/hisuntouchableinviolability,thelemininityolthe8elovedastheitte-
sponsibleinlancyoltheyounganimal) ,accotdingtothelacebeyondthe
lace,alsoplayswithdeath,andnot onlywithdeathastheabsenceollile
otthenegativeabsenceolwhatevetitmaybe, butwithmtdet. Deathat
one'sh ngettips-thatiswhatthemovementolthishand is. latltomsay-
ingoushall not commitmutdet,thehtstolthecommandmentsand
theopeningolthe ethicalaccotdingto Levinas, lat ltomcallinglot te-
spectolthelacethatisasonewithhiscommandment,thelemininityol
thetendetinvites ptolanation, atthelimitoltheobscene, distespect,
inthisinvetsionolthelaceandinaccotdancewiththisdish gutement
,seen. z?) . itisnottheabsenceolgood, itisevil.Theteis-letususea
wotdthatisnotLevinas's-apetvetsionthete.P lothim,hesaysinvet-
sion olthe lace and distespect, a ptolanation that ptesupposes the
lace, indeed,bunolongettelatestoitwithsttaightlotwatdness.
Language, soutceofallsignih cation,isbotninthevettigoofinhnity, which
takesholdbefotethesttaightfotwatdnessoftheface,makingmutdetpossible
andimpossible.
Theptincipleyoushallnotcommitmutdet,thevetysigniingnessof
theface,seemsconttatytothemystetywhichErosptofanes,andwhichisan-
nouncedinthefemininityofthetendet.lnthefacetheOthetexptesseshis
eminence,thedimensionofheightanddivinityftomwhichhedescends. ln
hisgentlenessdawnshissttengthandhistight.Theftailtyofthefemininein-
vitespityfotwhat,inasense,isnotyet, distespectfotwhatexhibitsitselfin
immodestyandisnotdiscoveteddespitetheexhibition,thatis,isptofaned.
8utdistespectptesupposestheface. ,ibid. ,p. 6)
lsonesttainingthe point byinlettingmutdetltomthis Otbycon-
cludingthat, at thevetyleast, death is alteady atwotkin thisviolence
inviting ptolanation, in this violence olptolanation itsel whete, tight
thtoughthelace,thecatesscattiesbeyondthelacetowatdthedistespectol
oushallnotcommitmutdetCan'twesaythat,thtoughhisepiphany,
in the vety expeience ol/hiscatess, the catess thus desctibed ot lived,
thisbeyondolthelaceannouncesamottuatymaskAttheheattolthis
phenomenologyolEtos, heteisthebeyondolthelaceasitthteatensthe
Ihs|n/sacha//s, s/hslasA/s/insncs
epiphany olthe lace, a dead woman, desirable still, pethaps, dead and
sttetchedoutbeloreEtos.
W| ehavesoughttoexposetheepiphanyofthefaceastheotiginofextetiot-
ity . . . extetiotityissigni[ingnessitself.Andonlythefaceinitsmotalityisex-
tetiot.lnthisepiphanythefaceisnottesplendentasafomclothingacontent,
asanimage, butas thenudityoftheptinciple,behindwhichtbeteisnothing
tthetThedeadfacebecomesafotm,amottuatymaskitisshowninsteadof
lettingsee-butpteciselythusnolongetappeatsas aface ,ibid. , pp. z6t6z)
The nudityolthe ptinciple is the nudityolthe lace. ltcan onlybe
thteatenedwithdeathbythisothetnudity, the mystety oltheexhibi-
tionistnuditythatexhibitsitsellinimmodesty. . . thatis,isprolaned.
Two nudities. absolutelyhetetogeneous,andonebeingthereverseolthe
othet,yetbothandeachannouncingtheonethroughtheothetandthe
onebeyondtheother.
lsone sttaining thepointbytesttictingthettaitsolthis ttulyhietat-
chizing discourse to this masculine civilization, which is precisely in
questionhete,whichisna/aa/qinquestioninthisanalysisolcatessing,
equivocation,andtheepiphanyoltheleminine
Lquivocationconstitutestheepiphanyofthefeminineatthesame timein-
tetlocutot,collabotatotandmastetsupetiotlyintelligent,soonendominating
men in the masculinecivilizationithas enteted, andwoman having to be
tteatedasawoman, inaccotdancewithtulesimptesctiptiblebycivilsociety
Theface,allsttaightfotwatdnessandftankness, in itsfeminineepiphanydis-
simulatesallusions,innuendoes. ltlaughsundetthecloakofitsownexptes-
sion,withoutleadingtoanyspecih c meaning, hintingintheemptyait, sig-
nalingthelessthannothing. ,ibid. , p. z6()
We atenotgoinglatltomoursubject, thetouchingoltheuntouch-
able,thecaress,theleminine8eloved,andtheepiphanyoltheleminine.
Thesocialandsexualhietatchythatwehavej usttecognizediseventoo
lamiliatlotus,butitbuildsupatoundthevacuumotsolitatyvertigoola
tadicalasociality, and this asocialityhas its patadoxicalplacein a com-
munityolleeling, inthiscommunityolsentientandsensedwhichis
alsoanon-socialityolvoluptuosity. Theleminineatttactstowatdsepa-
tation,larltomthesocial,theunivetsal,larlromlanguage.Whileatttact-
ingbystattingltomvoluptuousness as the communityolsentient

nd
sensed,thelemininedoesthisalsointhecommunityolthetouchingand
,o IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
thetouched. Onewill also noticehowabtuptlyoneischangingovetltom
asentenceconcetningtheasocialityollovets ,amanandawoman,sup-
posedly)totheleminine, suddenly, onhetown,becomingtheOthet
Thetelationshipestablishedbetweenlovetsinvoluptuosity, fundamentallyte-
ftactotyto univetsalization, isthevetyconttatyofthe socialtelation. lte-
cludes the thitd patty, it temains intimacy, dual solitude, closedsociety, the
suptemelynon-public.ThefeminineistheOthetteftactotytosociety, mem-
betofadualsociety, anintimatesociety, asocietywithoutlanguage . . . . This
solitudedoesnotonlydeny,doesnotonlyfotgetthewotld,thecommonaction
othesentientandthesensedwhichvoluptuosityaccomplishescloses,encloses,
sealsthesocietyofthecouple.Thenon-socialityofvoluptuosityis,positively,
thecommunityofsentientandsensed.theothetis not onlyasensed, but in
the sensedis afhtmedas sentient, as though one same sentimentwetesub-
stantiallycommontomeandtotheothet . . . . lnvoluptuositytheOthetisl ,
andsepatatedftommeslightlymodihedhete-Ttans.| .Thesepatationof the
Othetinthemidstofthis communityoffeelingconstitutes theacuityofvo-
luptuosity. ,ibid. , pp. 6|-6,)
Sepatation olthe Othet-lot the tecuttingwotds common and
communityshouldn'tdeludeanyone.Thecommunityolleeling,com-
munityolsentientandsensed, thecommonactionolthesentientand
thesensed onlysealadoubleandttiplesolitude,atthevetyheattolthe
voluptuouscaess. thelovets'solitude,sepatatedltomathitdpattyandso-
cialtelations,thesolitudeolthe leminineandthe masculine 8eloved,
sepatatedltomeach othet. in the telationship between lovetstheteis
neithetpossession, notcommunallusion,notevencomplementatity
,ibid. , pp. z6h. ) . Nothingissssi//s,hnally.Withacatess, nothingisat-
tainedottouched
8utittemainstobeseenwhetethebotdetline-iltheteisonetuns
betweenthebeyondolthepossibleexceedingthecatesswhilemakingit
possibleascaessandthebeyondolthepossibleopeningup theethical
andmakingitpossible.
Whatdoesoutquestionsigniltquestionsthatwhich,inthetendet
catess,comestoextendtowatdthebeyondolthepossble.lsn'tthismove-
mentolttanscendencealteadyextendedtowatdtheethicalOtmustone
intettuptthetendetolthe catess so as to tend towatd the ethical, ltom
onebeyondolthepossibletowatdtheothet-beyondthepossible
lsitpossibleAndwhatiltheptolanation, thebeyondthelace ,ol
Ihe|n/sacha//e, s/helasA/s/inence
i
whichLevinassooltenrecallsthatita/ead,ptesupposesthelace)already
pertained to the ethical, at the pointwhete one beyond the possible
staysata/angen/totheothet, oneincsn/ac/withtheothet, inwhatte-
mains, as an impossibility, thesameimpossible:Andthesame desire :
ln what describes the catess, lot example, in the lines quoted below,
how can we notrecognize the verysttuctute olethics: Ourhypothesis,
then,doesnotorientusless towatd an already-ethical olthecaressor
prolanationthantoward a remainderolshame,ptolanation, tteachety,
andperjuryintherespectoltheethicaln bothcases,isn'tittragicallythe
samecaressingexpetienceoltwonearlyindiscernibleimpossiblesottwo
unpowers _imsasis} Hereagain, unsutprisinglythisistheequivo-
calnessolequivocation-everythingpivotsuponawithout, aroundits
syntaxwithout negativity. 1endetheartednessolthe catess. hegives, ex-
tends, andtakespleasute,inoneandthesamemovement-butitisalso
asulleringai/hsa/sullering, andhtstandlotemostan evanescence.
Deathisstillptomisedthete.1herei sadeaththreateningtheptomise,
givingtoseethemortuatymaskinthelacebeyondthelace.
l| ntbeevanescenceandswoonoltbetendet,tbesubectdoesnoptojectitsell
towatdtbelututeoltbepossib|eTbenot-yet-beingis notobetankedintbe
samelutute inwbicbevetytbingl cantealizealteadyctowds, scintillatingin
tbeligbt,oHetingitselltomyanticipationsandsolicitingmypowets.Tbenot-
yet-beingispteciselynotapossibletbatwouldonlybemotetemotetbanotbet
possibles.Tbecatessdoesnotact,doesnotgtasppossibles. . Wbollypassion,
itiscompassionlottbepassivitytoateassion, e//ecomatitamassicit ,tbe
suHeting,tbeevanescenceoltbetendetltdieswitbtbisdeatbandsulletswitb
tbissuHeting.Tendetbeattedness,sulletingwitboutsuHeting,itisconsoledal-
teady, complacentinitssulleting sligbtlymodihedbete-Ttans. . . . Volup-
tuositydoesnotcometo gtati[desite, itistbis desite itsel . To discovet
betemeanstoviolate,tatbettbantodiscloseasectet.Aviolationtbatdoesnot
tecovetltomitsownaudacity-tbesbameoltbeptolanationlowetstbeeyes
tbatsbouldbavesctutinizedtbe uncoveted.Tbe etotic nudiysaystbeinex-
ptessible,buttbeinexptessible|snotsepatableltomtbissaying. . . . Tbesay-
ing, andnotonlytbesaid,isequivocal. ,ibi d , pp. ,,-6o)
1his equivocation accommodates-shameolthe prolanation-the
unlotgivableperjutywhoseabsoluteptecocityhasbeennoted.
Lawoltact. itallbegins-h delityitsell, oaths-withan unlotgivable
petjury.

|
; cndcr
Ihi I M, Hccrt

'thc hccrt c cncthcr
We havej ustlollowedacettain gestute olLevinas's.Ascene,alace,a
beyondolthelace.1hese analyses olthecatess, this phenomenologyol
Etos,

hichtouchonwhattouchesanothetuntouchable,anothetasun-
touchable,also touchuponbeauty. 8utvetgeon thesublime.
Whethetbeautilulotsublime,theytheseanalyses temainunsettling.
We acknowledgedtheitttuth, evidently, andtecognizedtheitpetti-
nencewithtegatdtotheexpetiencethusdesctibed,butwedidthiswhile
sensingoth ndingagainsomeinvinciblesttatagemsinthelactolthisex-
petienceitselland itsintetptetativeotganization. We thoughtwe could
onceagainseeinthissomethingatwotk,pethaps,someascent,otindeed
motethanoneteligiousascendancy, ahliationolvitile,patetnal,ltatetnal,
always phallocenttic lantasies, with a ltatetnityolonly sons always, ol
eachonly, uniquesonasthechosenson. We thoughtwetecognized
inthisasequence olmovements as itteptoachableas theyate guiltywe
tecognized asetiesolptopetlyshamelulmovements, theit shame mote-
ovetconlessed,asitwete, inanavowedlyshamelulconlession. 8utitis
theavowalolanitteptessibleptolanation,andpethapsdisplacesanddis-
simulates, teplacesotdeniesanothetculpability. lethaps,whileptaising
ethicaldissymmettyandgoodhetetonomy, itdoesnottouchsexualdis-
symmettyandtheandtophallicpositionltomwhetethisphenomenol-
ogy canbeexamined.1heanalysis isnotsotendet.Thistendetisnotso
tendet et this tendetthingisatthenondeclatedotiginoltheethicalot
whatLevinashnallyhasgoodteasonstotetmmetaphysics
lsonetight-willoneevethavethetighttohavethedesite,nomattet
how muted, tochange climates andlandscapes ls itpossible l believe
Iende
not,ldon'tteallybelievethis,notsimply, noti naninstant,notwithaloss
olmemoty-butallthesame.
l thetelotetetutn-ltutnatound, towatdean-LucNancy. lswhathe
says about the catess, inhis tactile cotpus, compatible with whatwe
havej ustteadAchangeolclimatesotlandscapeswouldnotbeenough
toptoveit.oteovet,whatisaclimateinphilosophy, andwhatisaland
scapeWhataboutthepathos-declatedotnot-oladiscoutseWhat
aboutthescene olthesignatute that gives tiseto it, inthis place l j ust
tetmedlandscape Doesthistesistanalysislstheteanythingelsetoan-
alyze, hnally-andwhatcouldbemoteintetestinglutthetmote, thete
may bea teligious lundthatthe twothinkets shateinmotewaysthan
wouldathtstseem.Levinassometimesplaysagame,hedidittightbelote
me) . heplays atconlessinga Catholicism thatNancy, lothis patt, seti-
ouslydisclaims.
Tendetheattedness, saysLevinas,andthetendet.extendingptivileges
to tendetheattedness andspeakingolthetendetasanotiginalcategoty
impliesputtingtheaccentinloveandtheetotic ,in TheAmbiguity ol
LoveandthelhenomenologyolEtos)onamovementtowatdappease-
ment, amomentolpeace,andadisatming,whichinsistentlyteachesinto
theviolenceolaviolation-moteovetimpossible,theleminineeloved's
vitginitytemaininginviolable-ottheviolenceolunlailingptolanation.
Levinas almost always saystendet and tendetheattedness, tately ,in
lact,nevet,itseemstome)tendetness. Thismaybebecausewhathede-
sctibesislessashatedstateotleeling,suchastheambiguityollove, lot
example) than an eidss ,the invatiant ol the tendet ot the becoming-
tendet) , theessentialandidealqualityolanintentionalexpetience, tead-
able tight ontheothet, ot inmeas othet. One seeks this disatmingand
thispeace , peaceistheethical itselllotLevinas) moteinthetendetolthe
catess,whetethecatesswouldtenouncepossession,thaninanyetoticvio-
lenceashing/ss/handnaito achieve pleasute achatnesai .The
catessdoesnotsetuponanythingtoothandnail.ltisendetinthatitdoes
notpushtotakeanything. ltwontevenletitsellbepushedbytheHesh.
Rathet, ittendsto give,extend,tendetlotth the tendet. Tiens, hold,
takewhatl donotpossess,notyou,whatwedonotandshallnevetpos-
sess.Thiswillnotbeptopetlyoutown,olthis,weshallnevetbethemas-
tetsandownets.iltotolleting
Let us notplaywith wotds-evet. Let us not place any bets on the
homonymy, in ltench, between /ende and /ende, on the telations be-
IhisIs-s/heO/her
tween, ontheonehand,theimmensesemanticnetwotkandalltheptop-
etlyin/en/isna/senses olthe er/ /endre. in the dominant ttadition in
ltench, itconnotestathetsrien/edac/ii/ies, pethapseven iri/i/,,Latin,
/end ere,ltench,/endre.totend,toholdout,totendet,toextend,tosttetch,
tolay out,tosetup _dresser} ,toholdoutoneshandottosetupattapand
attendtoit,togiveottoensnate,tootientoneselltowatd,tointendto,in-
tentionallytoseek,andsolotth) , andontheothethand, theinstance ol
thea//ri/a/e/endre.thelattetoenconnotesltagility,delicacy,atathetas-
sievulnetabilitythat isnonintentional, exposed, and tathetchildlikeot
leminineinthesamedominantttaditionolitsptivilegedhgutes.Thus,in
extendingptivilegestothecatess,Levinasnodoubtputtheaccentupon
thetendetolthe leminine8eloved.8utinopeningitupontopeace,an
impossiblepeace,atanytate-beyondthepossible) , healsoimpliedthe
giltotohetingolthatwhichtendsotextends,ottendstoholdouttothe
othet.Withthe chance olquasi-homonymy, thehauntingolthe /ender
comesback, inanessential,itteducible, and necessatylashion,tovisitthe
othet.Theothet, the tendet-extend het, extend him. The ptoololthe
tendetisonlyintending.
Withoutanyplayonwotds,evet,itwouldthetelotebenecessatytoex-
tendaneatandtendetlyattendtothesewotds-tendet,tend,extend.
WhatdoesthissayTo extendistoollet, otgive,togivewhatisgiven
withoutgiving up, which istosaywithoutexchange otwaitingthatthe
othet tetutns it-otgive,him- othetsell) up.Tendetit.Attendantupon
tendet,Tiens' canbeheatd.Take' Notlgiveyou ,aphtasemade
obscenebyitsassumedcettaintyandthetecognitionthatitseemstoex-
pect) ,buttake, teceive, accept, notltomme, ptecisely, sincetecog-
nitionismadeapattytothis, as istheptoptietyoltheptopet, andeco-
nomics,buttake, accept, ltomwhomonedoesn'tknow, ltomod
knowswhom. ltomod, pethaps,ltomodknowswho.
Letusthentepeatthequestion.whatisonedoingwhenoneisholding
outtotheothetsomethingthatmustnotcomeltomonesell, thatmust
notbelongtowhoisextendingit,andsayingTiens'inltench,andonly
inltench,thusinalanguage,whichistosaysomethingthatinptinciple
cannotbetouchedLitetally,insayingTiens',asIwouldliketodohete) ,
one ptoposesthattheothet/sach, litetallyot hgutatively, its always the
same oscillation and /sacherde /rgen/, to touch money-payment,
ptoh t,otcapitalgain-isthepopulatidiom) ,thattheothetgras,otseize,
Iende

ot geta gtip on him- ot hetsell, but also, in teceivng and acceptingit,
thattheothet/eewhatoneex/endstohimothet.SayingTiens , signi-
ingTiens meansholdingoutotextending, andgivingto touch.
Onei ssuggestingthattheothettakethegiltolanolletinglotexample,
andteceiveandacceptit,andthustouchitbytakingiton,bytakingitin
him- othetselbykeepingitinotneatonesell-asneatlyas possible, in
onesellotwithinteacholthehand. Touch,motethansightotheating,
gives neatness, ptoximity-itgives neatby. Andilthetwoothetsenses,
tastingandsmelling,dothisalso,itisnodoubtbecauseoltheitalh nity
withtouching,becausetheypattakeinitotlieneatit,ptecisely, neatthe
senseolneatness,ptoximity. lnthistegatd,isitevetpossibletodissociate
the neat, the ptoximate _sche} ltomthe ptopet, the ptoptiate
_se} Theptoximate,theptopet,andtheptesent-theptesenceolthe
ptesentWe canimaginealltheconsequencesilthisweteimpossible.This
questionwillnolongetleave us, evenilitisinsilence thatweleaveitto
doitswotk.lnit,theshatesanddividinglinesateannounced,evenilthey
cannotalwaysbedecided. . . .
llonebegstheothetto take inthegiolanolleting,andtheteloteto
touchitbytakingiton,bykeepingitinotneatonesell,intheclosestpos-
sibleptoximity,inonesellotwithinteacholoneshand,itisbecause,as-
ways ,ittesistible tendency) one thinks htst olall , and too much, about
han,thatis,aboutthemanaathemanne, maneae, otmania//isn.
seizute,comptehension,ptehension,captation,acceptation,teception-a
plea_iee} thatsomethingbeteceivedthatbeginstoseemlikeanotdet.
Tiens dotakeit,do touch. Hence,thistendetextendingmaysome-
timesbecomeviolenceitsell-noteventomentionthesttikingtwist_csa}
in the language that displaces the Tiens ,Take this) ola gilt to the
Tiens,Takethat)olablow_csa .TiensTakethatonesometimes
sayswhen dealing a blow-lot, in ltench, a blow is also dealt, that is,
given.onegivestheblowsonesttikes.8utthisgiltisnotaptesent,then,it
shouldn'tbe-soonethinks,atleast-andanolletingevenless.
Nancydistinguishesbetweenolletingandgilt,ottathettheolletingin
thegilt. Agiltisanolletingwhenattheheattolthedonationolthegilt
theteisawithdtawalolthegilt, thewithdtawalolitsbeingptesent.
Tiens littingly, itisonthesubj ectolThe SublimeOlleting that
Nancyenj oinstheinctedible.Heletshimsellbeenjoined-butheseems
toholdtothis-tochangesense, noless
Thisgestutelookslikehim. lknowean-LucNancytobealwaysteady
|
IhisIss /heO/he
lotevetything, tesolvedtochangeevetything,even sense, and motethan
anyoneelse, hestill, always,evenshouldhebethelastone still doing it,
talkssense,olsenseinallthesensesolthewotdsense,whichdoesnotpte-
venthiscsasltomtemainingconsistentandpowetlullylaithlultoitsell.
AndheiswotkingonabooktobetiedLesensdamsnde,IheSenses/he
/d) , noless'
Now, intheaetmath, andaltetalew eatlietallusionstothis,isn'tthis
theplacetotiskptohetingthepetiodizationhypothesisthatisguidingus
ltiswotthwhatevetitiswotth,itisnothingbutahypothesis,itiswotth
whatevetsuchpetiodizationsatewotth. Cettainly, theteisnocutting,in-
divisiblelimittheteisnosimpleinstantotagencybetweena/eandan
aewhetevet,withthenonlineatdutationolaptocess,thinking-weighing-
pondeting,languageandthebody, andtheexsctibed, comeabout.lal-
tetellects discteetly telet back to a lew ptemises, a past ltombelote the
matkablebeginningtohndthemannounced, itsulhcestoshatpenone's
teading. Howevet, lwondetwhethetitmaynotbe towatd the end olthe
i,?osthattouchtoucheddowninNancy'sthinkingandwtiting,let'ssayin
anincteasinglyphenomenalway, incteasinglylessevitable-untiltheeatly
i,,o,whentouchinvadedhislexiconbywayolethetoticalotlogical
mode.Letmetepeatthatnoneolthiscanhavestattedj ustoutoltheblue,
onehne-otbad-day. To besute, someptecutsotysignswetealteady
thetevetyeatly on. 8utitwas between ,?; and ,,i ,apptoximately
pendingamotehne-gtainedstatisticalanalysis) thatthecotpuswasmote
thantouchedupon.itwassummoned,almostviolated,penettated,domi-
nated,bytheopeationthatcametoinsctibesometouchngattheheatt
olallwtiting.Theopetationinquestiondidnot takeplaceinonesingle
day, tobesute,atapatticulathout,andilitdidtakeplaceoneday, ithad
awholehistotyptecedingandlollowingit,ahistotythatisoldetthanthe
bodyandthinkingolean-LucNancy, ashesaidhimsel
lhaveputposelyj ustusedthegenetaltetmopetation. Theopetation
olwhichlamspeakingiscontempotaneouswithwhatiscalledasagical
onesutgety.teekcheisagia,ltomchei, hand)andegsn,wotk) ,done
byhand, thehandoltheothet, andthusbytouching,evenil,asalways,
machinesandtechnologyateindispensableinthis. ,Andinthelollowing
chaptets, itisthe thinkingola/echnolbodies as thinkingoltheptos-
theticsupplementthatwillmatkthegteatestdilletence, itseemsto me,
Iende

betweenNancy'sdiscoutseandothetmoteo t lesscontempotatydiscoutses
aboutthebodyptopetothesh. ) lamalludingtotheheattttansplant
opetationwhose subject |eanLuc Nancywas, inaway, motethanten
yeatsago.lbelievethatNancydoesnotknow,andldonotknowwhethet
he is ttying to hnd out, whethet the heatt ofthe othet that he catties
withinhimistheheattofawomanotaman.Lin/as, IheIn/ade) dates
ftom|anuaty
lbave-bo-tbislispteciselytbequestion,tbeoldquestion.wbatistbis
enunciatingsubectAlwaysloteigntotbesubectolitsownuttetance,neces-
satilyinttudinguponit,yetineluctablyitsmotot,sbiltet, otbeatt-l, tbete-
lote,teceivedtbebeattolanotbet,nowneatlytenyeatsago. ltwasattansplant,
gtalted on. My own beatt ,as youve gatbeted, it is entitelya mattet oltbe
ptopet, olbeingone, otone'sown-otelseitisnointbeleast. . . )-my
ownbeattinlactwaswotnout,lotteasonstbatbavenevetbeenceat.
Aseatingtestimony,admitableinitseatsobtiety exactitude,andpto-
bity, itistomyknowledgeuniquei nthehistotyofhumanityandthehis-
totyofphilosophy-fotteasonsthathehimselfanalesinanimpeccable
way. Now, this text ,whetebythe ftienddiscteetlytetteats towatd his
topic)twice/sachesuponthevocabulatyof/saching.onceinotdettotel
theaniqaenesss/heeen/,theopetation, i ncision, ttansplantation, eco-
technics, thecomingofptostheticsotafoteignbodyattheheattofthe
bodyptopet,acomingwhosepossibilitywillhavebeenopenfotevet) ,an-
othettimeinotdettotellaboutthecontactbetweenlandlinplea-
sute, insuffeting,andineec/isn. lfeelitdistinctly, itismuchsttonget
thanasensation. nevethasthesttangenessofmyownidentity, whichl've
nonethelessalwaysfoundsosttiking,touchedmewithsuchacuity.
lnothetwotds,heteheistouchedbyasttangenessthatnolongethas
anything to do with the quasi-ttanscendental sttangeness that tefets us
all to out 's otout own bodies. Andyet, intheipossibility, the two
sttangenesseskeepmakingsignstowatdoneanothetandimplicatingeach
othet.1heylookalike,onesheltetstheothet,onehidesotshowstheothet's
ttuth.Hencethepossibilitytospeakabout this andbeheatd, appatently,
be itatthecostofanunfathomablemisundetstanding.1hesamegoesfot
thetej ectionthatis alsoatissuein thesecondoccuttence.1his tejection
temains,althoughitisnotsimplythequasi-ttanscendenttej ectionthat
one makes out in all the expetienceswith ex- mentioned eatliet ,expul-
sion, exsctiption, and so fotth) . One has ttouble deciding, moteovet,
IhisIs-s /heO/her
whethetthetej ection olwhich he speaks isthetej ectionofsulfetingin
genetalotthetejectionolattansplantedotgan.
Tbeemptyidentityolan cannolongettestinitssimpleadequation,its
l l)wbenitspeaks snonce lamsulleting impliestbattbeteatetwo
'''s,''eacboneloteignto tbe otbet,yettoucbing) . So it is witbl am in ec-
stasy _eoais . . o inlamsuHeting,one''''teectstbeotbetl, wbileinl
ami necstasyone' 'exceedstbeotbet.Tbetwotesembleeacbotbet,doubt-
lesslikebitdsolaleatbet commedeaxgoaesdaa , neitbetmotenotless.
One mote wotd about petiodization-possible yet impossible to
ptove,ptobableyetim-ptobable,onlybatelyptobable.Havingtakenthese
ptecautions,lwouldliketo,illmay,btingupafewquickandsupethcia|
piecesofevidence.1heSublimeOffeting,whichlwasptepatingtodis-
cuss,thistextwashtstpublishedin,?;,butteappeatedaspattofabook,
|neensen ie, ini,,o) ,

indeedptoposestopassftomsighttotact
utwhatitbehoovesusto tetutn to itsconctetethickness,totheexpeti-
enceoftesistantdensity, isbywayofahgutethisessential|yabsttact, in-
sensib|e,invisib|e,andintangiblethingthata/imi/is. thesingu|atmode
oftheptesentationolalimitisthatthis|imitmustbeteached,mustcome
tobe/sached. onemustchangesense, passltomsighttotact.
efotewetetutntowhatttanspitesinthispassagedealingwithsucha
passage ofthelimit,andespeciallythis passingftomsight to tact,let
usfteelygtantoutselvesthteetettogtessions,whichatealsothteevittual
ptogtams.
A. litst,letusnotethat,mutatismutandis-ifthismaysti|lbesaidat
suchagapingdistance-thispassingftomsighttotactheteagainteca|ls
etke|ey. lnttuthl nevetstopthinkingofhimwhilewtitingabouttouch,
eveniflcannotpossiblyhetedojusticetothehnecomplexityolhisptob-
lematic.utoutofitscontextasentencesuchas onemust. . . passltom
sighttotactcouldbelongtotheetkeleyanaxiomaticsthatbeganwiththe
tejectionofanyidentitybetweenaseen objectandatouchedobject. One
needstoleapftomonetotheothetb|indly,likesomeonebotnblind,actoss
aninhniteabyss. ven ifitisthe same thing, whatwesee isone thing,
whatwetouchisanothet,saysetkeleyinAnEssa, IaardsaNeaIhesr,
slsisn,sectionz/) ,inaphenomeno|ogicalsty|eana/read,phenom-
eno|ogicalstyle,alteadywithacettainteduction,andsti|la//he/hreshsol
thisteduction) .1heextension,hgutes,andmotionspetceivedbysightate

Iende

specihcallydistinctftomtheideasoftouchcaledbythesamenames,notis
theteanysuchthingasoneideaotkindofideacommontobothsenses.
ateton, thesediffetentobjectswillgobythesamenames,andthus,
whatetkeleymobilizestoaccountfotthisisthewholequestionoflan-
guage,itsuseanddestination,andthequestionoftheology,theptopet
objects ofvisionconstitute an univetsallanguageoftheAuthotofNa-
tute) . And that is the ultimate tecoutse gtounding his philosophy
What this intetptetation of the senses ptesupposes-and h tst of all of
touch, ofthehaptical, thatis, theleastteducibleamongthem, common
toalllivingbeingsinthewotld,whichisnotthecasewithvision-lastly
isatheology, andmotepteciselyanontotheology. ut beyondsomany
obviousdiffetences,acommongestuteofthoughttakesinto accountthe
hetetogeneitybetweenthetwosenses, thetwophenomenologiesofpet-
ception thatatededicatedto them, aswellas acettainptimacygtanted
to touch. lftheideasofspace, distance, andthetefotemovementcould
notcomeftomvision,asetkeleytitelesslytepeatsandNancyalsoseems
toimply, thenthehguteofthelimit, theapptoachofandto alimit, the
ptesentation ofa limit must push us, as Nancysays, indeed, to pass
ftomsightto tact. ln addition, etkeleyoftenatgues thattheh,sica/
mechanisms ofvision, tetina,ctystalline,pupil , tays ttavelingthtough
it,andsofotth,atethingsaltogethetofatangiblenatute.
1hetemainingtask ,is itataskfottoday:) istotytoaccountfotthe
samenames, common,fotexample,toboththevisibleandthetangible,
almost,hete,atthe/imi/visibleandtangible.1hetemainingendeavotis
tofollowtheitgenealogystattingftomanothetdiscoutsealtogethet, an-
othetknowledge altogethet,aknowledgelessconh dentinitsthinking
ofcommonsense,otthehvefoldtootofthesenses-inabodywithhve
senses,nomote,noless-withoutatoncecallingonGodfothelp.Ade-
consttuctionofChtistianity, we can bet, willhaveto dobattle between
thevisibleandthetangible-andseeksomethingelse.
. lot-and this i s mysecond backttacking digtession, mysecond
tettovision,andalsomysecondtematkinviewofashotttheologicalttea-
tise on touch-it is necessatyto temind the authotofCsasofwhathe
nodoubtknowswell, hewhoteplaystheHocestenim cotpus meum
inan entitelydiffetentway. evenbefoteandbeyondtheeuchatisticmo-
mentofthiscotpus, alltheGospelsptesenttheChtistibodynotonly
as a body oflight and tevelationbut, in a hatdly less essentialway, as a
i oo IhisIs-s /heO/he
body/sachingas much as/sached as esh that istouched-touching. 8e-
tweenlifeanddeath. Andifonetefets totheGteekwotdthatttanslates
thistouching,whichisalsoadivinepowetandthemanifestationofGod
incatnate,onecantaketheGospelsfotagenea/ha/icsSalvationsavesby
touching,andtheSaviot,namelythe1ouchet,isalsotouched.heissaved,
safe,unscathed, andfteeofdamage.1ouchedbygtace.
r . |esusthesaviotistouching, heisthe Onewhotouches,andmost
oftenwithhishand, andmostoften inotdettoputi, heal,ottesusci-
tate-save,inawotd.
Hehealsotputihesthelepetbytouchinghim. Andhe sttetchedout
hishandandtouchedhim,saying _e/ex/endensIesasmanam, /e/igi/eam,
dicenso e o //aie//einas/n cheiasa/saa/sa/egn} , lwish it, beclean. '
Andimmediatelyhisleptosywascleansed ,Matt.?. ;) .
He heals letet's mothet-in-law bytouchinghet hand with his hand.
Hetouchedhethand/e/igi/manameiassa/s/scheissaa/s andthe
fevetlefthet,Matt. ?. i ;) .
Hehealstheblindbytouchingtheiteyes. 1hen hetouchedtheiteyes,
saying, ccotdingto yout faith be it done toyou. ' And theiteyes wete
opened,Matt.,. z,;o) .Healingtheblindseemsallthemoteinitial,and
initiating,sincetouchiswhatgivessight.thehandopenstothelightoftev-
elationand gives tosee, and then makes onefollowChtist. nd behold,
twoblindmen. . . . |esusstoppedandcalledthem,saying,Whatdoyou
wantmetodofotyou:' 1heysaidtohim, Lotd,letouteyesbeopened. '
And|esus inpity hewas moved, mise/as/ s/agchnis/heis touched theit
eyes,andimmediatelytheyteceivedtheitsightandfollowedhim ,Matt.
zo.;o;) . 1heallusionto|esus'semotion,mise/as/ s/gchnis/heis)speaks
oftheessentialmovementofhea//mec/_mis

icsdiease} compassion,
ofChtist'sheattotenttails,theheshlylocusofpatdon. 1heheatt.thatis
wheteChtistishtstmovedandtouched.Adthete,andthen,hetouches,
sincehehasbeentouched . . . .
He heals and saves ftom feat ,thete is no mention ahee his touch
teacheshete) .8ut|esuscameandtouchedthem,saying, Rise,andhave
nofeat. ' And when theylifted up theit eyes, theysawnoonebut|esus
only ,Matt.i/
.
/
?) .
Ailmentsofthetongueandspeechhedoubtless heals even motesttik-
ingly.1o anallbutmutedeafman,hegivesbacktheabilitytospeak.ay-
ing his hand on him and touchinghis tongue, he listens to him. And
Inds
theybroughtt ohimamanwhowas dealandhadanimpedimenti nhis
speech,andtheybesoughthimtolayhishanduponhim.Andtakinghim
asidelromthemultitudeprivately,heputhish ngersintohisears,andhe
spatandtouchedhistongue /s/igi//ingaamsias/sa/s/sg/sssaa/sa} ,
andlookinguptoheaven,hesighed, andsaid tohim,phphatha, ' that
is, eopened. ' Andhisearswereopened,histonguewasreleasedinca-
/am/ingaasdssmss/sg/sss} ,andhespokeplainly.Andhechargedthem
to tell no one, but themore hechargedthem, the more zealouslythey
proclaimedit ,Mark,. ;z;6 .

1ouchingacolh n, thecolhnoltheonlysonolawidow,hecuresdeath
itsel 1here again all begins with hsa// msc, _misicsds} . esus is
touchedtotheheartbelorehetouches.ndwhen theLordsawher,he
hadcompassiononhermissicsdiams/as ss/agchnis/h} andsaidtoher,
Do notweep. ' Andhecameandtouchedthebier,andthebearersstood
still.Andhesaid, oungmn,lsaytoyou,arise. ' Andthedeadmansat
up,andbegantospeak.Andhegavehimtohismother,Luke,.

Restoringlile, restoringorgivingspeech in touchingthechild. those
areremindersthatthesearehrst,orlrequently, children ,vulnerble,dis
armed, innocent, andstillwithouttruespeech) whomesus touches or
whoareolleredtoesus'stouch.Nowtheywerebringingeveninlantsto
him thathe might touch them, andwhen thedisciples saw it, theyre
bukedthem. utesuscalledthemtohim, saying, Letthechildrencome
tome,anddonothinderthem,lortosuchbelongsthekingdomolGod.
1ruly, lsaytoyou,whoeverdoesnotreceivethekingdomolGodlikea
child shall notenterit ,Luke

z . Notonlyis|esustouching,beingthe1oucher,h e isalsothe1ouched
one, andnotonlyh rstinthesense thatwehavej ustidentih ed ,thatis,
touchedinhisheartbyheartlelt,mercilulcompassion) .heisthereaswell
/hs/saching,hecanandmustbetouched.1hisistheconditionlorsal
vation-so as to be sale and sound, accede to immunity, /saching, the
1oucher, Him. Orbetter yet, touching, without touching, that which
wouldcomeincontactwithhisbody, namely-likealetish,ortheorigin
olletishism-his garment, his cloak. ltis not the touch that is saving,
then,butthelaiththatthistouchsignih esandattests.ndbesoughthim
that they might only touch the lringe olhis garment, and as manyas
toucheditweremadewell sale _s/qaicamqas/s/igsan/,sa/ic/isan/
/aisssisan/sdiss/hsan} , Matt. i|. ;6 . lorhehadhealedmany, so
i oz IhisIs-s /heO/he
that all who had diseases ptessed upon him to touch him ,Matk .
io). . . . ndthetewasawomanwhohadhadahowofbloodfottwelve
yeats. . . . Shehadheatdthetepottsabout|esus,andcameupbehindhim
inthectowdandtouchedhisgatment.lotshesaid, lfl touchevenhis
gatments,lshallbemadewellsaved . Andimmediatelythehemotthage
ceased. . . . And|esus, petceivinginhimselfthatpowet _i/a/emdana-
min hadgonefotthftomhim, immediatelytutned about inthectowd,
and said, Who touched mygatments:' . . . thewoman. . toldhim the
wholettuth.Andhesaidtohet, Daughtet,youtfaithhasmadeyouwell
saved . ' Shottly aftetwatd, |esus saves a little gitl who had died and
makeshetstandup,holdinghetbythehand,Matk;.z;|, |i) .nd
whetevethecame, invillages, cities, otcountty, theylaidthesickinthe
matketplaces,andbesoughthimthattheymighttoucheventheftingeof
hisgatmentandasmanyastoucheditwetemadewell,Matk6. ;6) . nd
allthectowd sought to touch him,fotpowetcamefotthftomhim and
healedthemall ,Luke 6. i,)
1he faithlesslhatiseesthemselves tecognizethe powet thatemanates
ftomthistouch. lntheovetwhelmingscenethatthesinnetMatyMag-
daleneopensupwhen she bathes|esus's feetwithhet teats, wipes them
withhethait,kissesthemotanointsthemwithpetfume,thelhatiseehost
declates. lfthis manweteaptophet, hewould have knownwho and
what sott ofwoman this is who is touchinghim, fot she is a sinnet. '
,Luke
/
.6;o) .
l t seemsthattheselitetalallusionst otouchingatetatetotevenabsent
intheGospelaccotdingto|ohn. Why:Ontheothethand,ifonemaysay
so, |esus becomes momentatily untouchable and|ohn is the one who
givesatepottofthe1ouchmenot ,ns/ime/angeeMha/samsa) in-
tendedfotMatyMagdaleneatthemomentwhensheisstillinteats,next
to thegtave, andhasj ust tecognized him , Rabboni Mastet ) . Do
notholdme touchmenot ,''fotlhave notyetascendedtothelathet,
butgotomybtethtenandsaytothem,lamascendingtomylathetand
youtlathet, tomyGodandyoutGod. lntheeveningofthissameday,
when|esushas comeand the disciplestejoiceuponseeinghim,1homas
Didymusisnot amongthem.Andsohedoubtstheittestimony. nless
l seeinhishandstheptintofthenails, andplacemyh ngetinthematk
ofthenails,andplacemyhandinhisside,lwillnotbelieve. ightdays
latet|esussaysto1homas. lutyouthngethete, and see myhandsand
put outyouthand, andplace itinmyside, do notbefaithless, but be-

Iende o
lieving.1homasanswetedhim,MyLotdandmyGod '|esus saidtohim,
Haveyoubelievedbecauseyouhaveseenme:8lessedatethosewhohave
not seen andyetbelieve' ,|ohnzo 6z,) .'
C. 1hethitdtettospectiontutnstowhatseemstohappeninNancy's Ihe
ExeiencesFeedsmconcetninglimitspteciselythe touch andtouch-
ingofthelimitandwhatcomestopasswhenonehasto touchonthe
untouchable.1hisbookwaspublishedin, ptecisely, aetNancyhad
wotkeditout,asathesis,inthesameyeatsas1heSublimeOffetingand
``Alinite1hinking.'lnit,Nancymakesthehguteoftouchapptoptiate,
ifonecanputitthatway, tothisthingwithoutathingthatalimitis.And
thistouchingofthelimitisthevetymomentitselfofthedecision,thetutn,
thatthisgteatbook/a/es, matks,tecalls,andintetptetsinthethinkingof
fteedom.Suchadecisionisnotfotustomake.Heteatetwoexamples
8utinlactitisnotwewbodecidewbetbettbiswillbetbetaskolpbilosopby,
even ilitis necessatylot us to makeadecision. lt is notan optionolletedto
outlteewillanymotetbanpbilosopbizinglteedomassucbotanyolitsoti-
entationswasevetamattetollteelycboosingalteedomoltbougbt.
llpbilosopbybastoachedthe/imitmyempbasis| D. oltbeontologyol
subectivity, tbis isbecauseitbas been ledtotbislimit.
Nancyalmostlitetallytepeatsthisfotmulaonthenextpage,andl' llcite
it. 1heteisthus,appatently,agaes/sachthete,fotphilosophy,litetally,
has nevettouchedanything.Aboveall,nobody, no body, no bodyptopet
hasevettouchedwithahandotthtoughskin contact-somethingas
absttactasalimit. lnvetsely, howevet, andthatisthedestinyofthishgu-
tality, alloneevetdoestouchisalimit.1o touchistotouchalimit,asut-
face,abotdet, anoutline. venifonetouchesaninside, insideofany-
thingwhatsoevet,onedoesitfollowingthepoint,the line otsutface,the
botdetlineofaspatialityexposed to theoutside, offeted-pteciselyon
itstunningbotdet,offetedtocontact.lnaddition,heteinthecaseofthis
hgute ,philosophyhas/sached/he/imi/oftheontologyofsubjectivity,
andsofotth) ,anothetneedcomestolightasfatasthshguteisconcetned,
thtoughoutthechainofatematkabledemonsttationwhosestagesl can-
not teconsttuct hete.'1his sutface, line otpoint, this limit, thetefote,
whichphilosophymighthave touchedthisway, hndsitselftobeatthe
sametimetouhableanduntouchable.itisasisevetylimit,cettainly, but
alsowellnighatandtothelimit,andontheexposed,otexposing,edgeof
i | IhisIs-s /heO/her
an abyss, a nothing, an unloundable unlathomable, seemingstillless
touchable,stillmoteuntouchable, ilthiswetepossible,thanthelimitit-
sellolitsexposition. lhilosophywillhavetouched,ithasalreadyhap
pened,Nancyspeaks olitassomethingpast-whatanevent) uponthe
untouchabletwice,bothonthelimitandontheunloundableabyssopen-
ingbeneath it, beyond it-undet its skin, as itwete. And because this
touching,thiscontact,thistactwillhave ustbeenabletotouchonsome-
thinguntouchable _de/in/sacha//e ,butithasdonethisAndthisevent
wasattansgtession-exceedinglypassing,passingthelimit) ,literallythete
canonlybeagareoltouch. Oneonlytouchesbywayolahgutehete,the
obect,thetouchables thing,istheuntouchable.1hetouchableiswhatit
isimpossibletotouch,toattain,totape,toviolateinitsinaccessibleim
munity, in its soundness) . 1he thing itsell gives itsell, opens ,itsell) ,
opensanopeningonly in thehistotyolthis hgute-somewould sayol
thishction. Historyoltheuntouchable,thetelote-oltheimmune,the
sound,thesale. Saveotsae-/saching. lsthisgoodnews:
Letus notlotget the context andthestakes olthe demonstration to
whichlamrelettinghete.itcomesdowntolreedomanddecision,noless,
lteedomtothinklreedom,toathinking. . . lteelotlreedom.
Tbuspbilosopbybasalwaysalteadygivenitsellovettotbetbinkingolwbatit
canneitbetmastetnotexamine.andtbisisalsowbatweundetstand,simply,
bybeingltee. Weate tbetelotenotlteetotbinklteedomotnottotbinkit,
buttbinking,tbat is,tbebuman being) islteerlteedom. it tbinking is
givenovet/icre toanddeliveted_d/icre lotwbatltomtbebeginningex-
ceededit,outtanit decaneg andovetowedit c . 8utitisintbis
waytbattbinkingdehnitelykeepsitsplaceintbewotldoloutmostconctete
andlivingtelations,oloutmostutgentandsetiousdecisions.
ltislot/asreassnsthatl quotethisconclusionolthechaptetinlull.
i . Onemayaskonesellwhatcould ustithisparentheticalconcession
hete ,thatis,thehumanbeing_/hsmme, i . e. , man ) . ltdoesnotseem
sustainableexceptwheteonettanslersontothisnames) man, butwhy
this name,then:Otwhynot: ln bothcases,itseemsarbittaryotmetely
ustihablethtough some pedagogicalotstrategiccalculation) theexcess,
theovetHowing,andsolotth,whichwillcomeintoquestionimmediately
altetwatd,andthetebyoneadmitsthatoneptesentlydoesnotknowwhat
thetetmmanmeanstosay,ilnotthisexpetienceoltheexcessolallde-
Iende J O ]
tetmination,includingthedetetminationonebelieves tobetecognizable
inthetetman/hsss.
2. 1heexcessinquestionisindeedtheuntouchable's,itistheexcessof
aninaccessiblebeyond,beyondalimititselfuntouchable,althoughphi
losophyhastouchedit.1hisexcesswouldindeedbetheotiginofthehg-
utalh ctionofwhichwespeak./saching, alwaysbywayofahgute.
1hus, itisonthesubjectoffteedom,thisnewthinkingoffteedom,one
motetime, ftomonepagetothenext,thatNancyhastecoutsetothehg
uteoftouch,ofaphilosophycapableoftouchingthelimit,andthistime
touchingitinitselwithinphilosophyandasphilosophy. 1husphilos
ophy, assoonas ittoucheswithinitselfthelimitofthethoughtoffoun
dation,otassoonasitiscattiedbywayofitselftotheunfoundablebotdet
ofthisthought,cannolongetteptesentitsownbeginningastheotiginaty
unityofaSubj ect-of-philosophyappeatingtoitselfinitsfteedom,otofa
Subject-of-fteedomappeatingtoitselfasphilosophy. '

Letusnowcome backto 1he SublimeOffetingandAFini/eIhin/-

inLetustutntothepointwhete,again,onthesubjectofthelimit,Nancy
suggeststhenthatone changesense, noless,andpassftomsighttotact,
letusdoitwthoutteallyowingwhethetbytactheintendstoconveythe
tactileingenetalotthismannetoftouchingai/hsa/touching,chatactetis
ticofacettainpoliteness,thedisctetionofacettaincontact,thoughanintet-
tuptedcontact, asyncope.1he ttuth isthathedoesnotcontenthimself
withsuggestingthatonechangesenseandpass ftomsightto tact, hete
mindsusthat,accotdingtohim,i/isnecessa,todothis,thati/canns/ns/
csmea/sa/,andthatthatisthesa//ime.lsthetesomesa//ime,otsublima
tion, whetevetsomeuntouchableisannouncedinatouch:Andwhetevet
touchingishgutalized:Maybeso. 1 hesingulatmodeoftheptesentation
ofalimitis thatthislimitmustbeteached,mustcometobe/sached. one
mustchangesense,passftomsighttotact.1hisis,infact,thesenseofthe
wotdsa//imi/.whatstaysjustbelowthelimit,whattouchesthelimit,limit
beingconceived,intetmsofheight,asabsoluteheight) . Sublimeimagina
tiontouchesthelimit, andthistouchletsitfeel itsownpowetlessness. ' '
lfitfeels itsownpowetlessness, then theimagination/sachesupon
itspowetlessness.1heimaginationencountetsthatwhichitcanns/,theim-
possiblefotit,itcomesintocontactwithwhattemainsimpossiblefotit.lt
encountets,thetefote,thatwhichitcanns/encountet,itaccedes,assuch,
totheinaccessibleassuch,itattainsandteachesthete,itfalls,upwatd,and
IhisIs-s /heO/he
comesontothatwhichitcannottouch,andthetebyittouchesi/seaswe
shallsee,itfeelsi/se, powetless)thetewhete ittouches,tangentially)what
itcannotattainottouch the pointottheline,theHimsy unsubstatial
/imi/,hete,thete,whithetandwhenceitcannolongettouch.1heimagi-
nationattainsalimit, teachesashotewhithetitcancsmesnqinns/csm
inga/sa/.tthustendstowatdthatwhichitcanonlyhssa//si/seai/h-
sa/giingi/se/s hs, and stillwithout touching, wheteby it becomes
whatitisbyessence,imagination,possibilityoftheimpossible,possibility
withoutpowet, possibilityauto-ahectingitsessenceofanonessence. ltis
notwhatitis-theimagination. ltistouched,inamovementofwith-
dtawingottetteatingtothefold,atthemomentittouchestheuntouch-
able.1heimaginationconhneswithoutconhningitselftoitsel
lnwhatsenseandbywhattightcanonesaythatittouchesi/seotthat
ite/si/setouch, touched, touching, thatitfeels itselfbytouchotby
touchingitself: , Notepatentheticallythat, concetningwhat touches on
theltenchlanguage atleast,whetethelattettouches itselfclosesttoun-
ttanslatability, celasetouchecanmeanotbeundetstoodexieqasei-
thetiti/setouchesi/seotsnetouchesit,itletsitselfbetouched by
something ot someone else without necessatily touching i/se) And
whatisthephenomenological,otologicalstatus,thelogicalotthetotical
legitimacyofthatwhichwe cannotwithoutttepidationcallthegaeof
touch:Andwhatifthiswotd, touching, e /sache,thenbecameuseless
and uusable, and fell into disuse, in advance im-e/inen/, and at the
sametimecontingent,thetefote,andnotpettinent-incapableoftouch-
ingthevetythingitselfthatitcomestotouchbyaccident,withoutany
necessitywhatsoevet,simplythtoughcontiguity, thevetythingthatitpte-
tendsto aimat:Andwhatifthiswotddidotkeepanyvalue,otsense,
ptecisely,any as/ca/isn,exceptwheteass/eqontophenomenologicalsta-
tus-inanabsolutelyemiica/fashionandinouteyes, ss/eqloadedwith
vetbal memoty andlogico-thetoticalcultute-wetewhatteassutes us in
the conhdentaseofsuchatetm:Andsoitisoutvetyoldhabitinthisot
thathistoticalcultute,athomeintheWest,tomakeuseofthesetetms
,thelogicandatithmeticofthehvesenses,andsofotth)soastoad ust
them moteotlesswell ,andoften notvetywell at all, as weateexpeti-
encingithete,andthatisallofphilosophy) tosuitsomeptetendedonto-
phenomenologicalevidenceioutbody. mpiticalontophenomenology
histoticallegacy languageofacultutepethapsthismakesacommon
habit,awayofbeingsocial,aptaxis,aptagmatics,aconsciousness,andso

Iende i o
fotth.uthowi s onet oj ustithesecommoditiesi nviewofascienceof
thebodysaidtobeptopetandofinanimatebodies,inviewofaphysio-
logy, physics, biology, neutology, andsofotth) thatwoulddemonsttate
thattheteisnothingthatonecouldtigotouslydehneas senses,nothing
thatallowsonetocountthemuptoh ve,andaboveallnotingthatlets
onetecognizeinthemeachtimean identitywithout contamination, an
identitysuchthatthettaditionthus undetsuspicion-evenwhenitad-
mits some contamination,coopetation, substitution,andvicatiousness
keeps ptesupposing an identitythus contaminated, temedied, teplaced,
andsofotth:
-Andinanasideyoutellyoutself.whatafunny,admiting, andgtate-
ful salutationyouteaddtessingtohim, to|ean-LucNancy.Whatapecu-
liatwaytoptetendyou'tetouchinghimwhileactingasftomnowon
youwantedtoputhislexiconabouttouchoutofsetvice,otevenbanish
itto theIndex/samshi/i/sam. Ot, as ifyoustubbotnlykeptte-
mindingusthatitshouldalwayshavebeenoutofsetvicealteady,evenif
welikethat-touching-pteciselywhenit'simpossibleptohibited, and
we even love to call thisloving-abstaining. Like the messiah. What a
funnyptesent,indeed'WhatanoffetingAltogethetas ifatthemoment
ofcallingothetssothattheywillbecomeecstaticbefotethisgteatwotk
andthisimmensephilosophictteatiseoftouch,youwhispetedinhiseat.
Now, |ean-Luc, that'squiteenough,stoptouchingandtampetingwith
thiswotd, it's ptohibited, youheat.ouhavetoabstainftomthistouch-
ing, ' andonceandfotallstopusingthis inctediblevocabulaty, thiscon-
ceptnothingcanteallyvouchfot, theseh guteswithouthguteandthete-
fotewithoutctedit.Andbesides,iflmaytemindyouofthisagain, haven't
youyoutselfsaid thete isno the senseoftouch' :1hetefote, don't keep
ptetending, don'tmake believe, stop actingasifyouwantedto makeus
believethattheteissomethingonecouldcall/hetouch, an undetstood
thingitself'aboutwhichwecouldptetendtoagtee,thetewhete,intouch-
ingupontheuntouchable,thisthingtemainsuntouchable. nowingyou,
ldon'tthinkthisobjectionwillstopyou,ltellmyselNo,youj ustgoon,
andsodol-thankfullyinyoutsteps.
Sublimeimagination/sachesthelimit, hethuswtotebywayofahg-
ute, and l am addingthe emphasis, and this /sachlets itfeel its own
powetlessness.'
IhisIs-s/heO/he
1heemphasisismine,ofcoutse. 8efotequotingthe nextfew lines,|et
usalteadyandvetytetselypointtothteeessentialindications.
1. lnthiscontext,thetouch isthatoftheimagination. sensiblepte-
sentationotttanscendentalschema.1henondelimitableconceptoftouch
is thus goi ng to take in at once all that thesewotds comptehend-so
manyhgutesandthingsatstake,theimpottanceofwhichitisimpossible
toexaggetate. imagination, ptesentation, sensibility, passivityactivity, in-
tetnalsenseextetnalsense, timespace, in/ai/asdeia/as, thush nitude,
h nitethinking, schematism,ttanscendentality, andsofotth.
2. 1o feelitselfastouchwillbeimmediatelyafeeli/se andthusa
touchi/seWehavenothnishedexp|otingtheinh niteandpuzzlingte-
soutces ofthis tehexivity. All the mote sobecause insagtammat, as l
notedamomentago,se/sachesttangelyfoldsotunfoldsitsteexivityac-
cotdingtothewotkings _engagemen/s} ofthesentence. ikes'a//ende, se
/sachecantutnthesubjecttowatditself,s//endessimcme,toexpectot
waitfotoneself,se/sachessi-mcme,totouchoneself)ottowatdtheothet,
accotdingtoateciptocitythatiseasiettosaythantoattain,se/sache
/an/a/e, /esans/esaa/es twotouchingeachothet manytouchingeach
othet) .se/sache/si,toself-touchyou, hewillsayinapassageofCsas
ofwhichfotthe momentl shalldonomotethanlightthefuse. Athing
thatse/sache,howevet,canalsoquitesimplymeantosaythatitistouch-
ab|e, withoutevettouchingi/sewithouttwootmanyothets evet
touchingoneanothetitcanmeanthatthe thingisexposed totouch. in
thiswayathingse/sachesignihes one can touchathing, onefeelsa
thingatatouch . itistangible.
-lfl askyounow.Whatdoesse/sache/es,eaxmean:Doesitmean
totouch one'sowneyeswithone's own hngets:1hat'seasy. 1o touch
,fotexample)theeyesoftheothetandteciptocally:1hat'snotimpossible.
1o touchtheeyes oftheothetwith one's owneyes in otdet toseewhile
|osingone'ssight_ede/aae} ,inasottofteciptocitythatisappatent|y
immediate:1hat's difh cultand tate but not at all impossible. Andyou
maystilltemembetthatthat'swhetewestattedftom.
-Andtouchingone'sownheatt:Astheheatt-liketheheatt-ofthe
othet:
-Let'swait.
Iender I O
). AllolNancean th nkingtegatdingthes,ncse, seti nmotionmote
thanhlteenyeatsbelotehand,hndsitselltakenupagainhete-tetead,
teinvested, telaunched.1hepassagewe ateteadingatthemomentcon
cetnsthesyncopatedimagination insolatasitopenstheexpetienceol
thesublime.1helattetisalsotheexpetienceolthebotdetandolovet-
owing, thettemblingapptehensionolthatwhich, /sachingonthebot-
det,atoncegoesovetboatdandtemainsatthebotdet, holdingoutand
holding back, tetainingitsellotabstaining, onthe botdet, but ctossing
ovet, then, pethaps i n abstinence itsell, and pethaps bettet than evet.
1 heentiteallaitolthesublimeoccutsontheedges olwotksolhne
att, ontheitbotdets,ltames, otcontouts. onthebotdetolatt,butnot
beyondatt.
Oneoloutquestionscouldtakeshapehete. iltheei sindeedahgute
olthe limitas botdet, doesithaveanessentially/ac/i/egenealogy, tactile
byptivilegeolbitth:Doesitgareitsellonthebasisoltheptopetlyotlit-
etallytangible:Canoneevetspeakolathing, thatisrserqtangible:
lsn't this lattet the vety place olthe itteducible contamination olthe
ptopet, olcontaminationi/seolcontactandcontagionandimputihca-
tion:1hisquestion,onesenses,doesnotpettainonlytoitsell.ltisalteady
adilhcultandsetiousone. utitdoublesandimmediatelyptoliletatesit
sell.doesonehavethetight,withoutacceptingtoomanyptesuppositions,
towondetwhethetoneolthesenses ,hete,touch) is,as suchandsolely,
moterser,asithas so olten beenassetted, ltomAtistotle to etkeley
andMainedeitantoHussetl) ,motelitetallyengagedintheconstitution
olanythingwhatsoevet,heteinthatolahgutethatwoulddependonitin
amotenecessatylashion:AlsoopenedbyAtistotle,whenthelattetwon-
detedwhethettouch ,hah, contact, which also meanstact, gtasp, but
likewisetheplace olthecontact,lineoljoining,blowotwound)issne,a
uniquesense ,miaais/hesis) otplutal ,/eisas) , this mattixolquestions
pettainsalsoto theconceptol gare, olcoutse,sinceinevitablehgutality
has to do pethaps with this intetnal multiplicity that dispetses the so-
calledlitetalsignih cationoltouchottheptopettyolthetangible.utlet
usleaveallthatandgoonnowwiththequotation.
Sublimeimaginationtoucbestbelimit,andtbistoucbletsitleelitsownpow-
etlessness. llptesentationtakesplaceaboveall in tbetealmoltbesensible
toptesentistotendetsensiblesublimeimaginationisalwaysinvolvedinpte-
sentation insolatas tbis imagination issensible.8utbetesensibilitynolonget
r r IhisIs-s/heO/he
comptisestbepetceptionola hgute but tatbettbe attival attbelimit. Mote
ptecisely,sensibilityisbetetobesituatedintbeimagination'ssentimentolitsell
wbenittoucbesits limit. Tbe imagination leels itsellpassingto tbe limit. lt
leelsitsell,anditbastbeleelingoltbesublimeinitsellott ,Bestre/ang) ,im-
pulse,ottension,wbicbmakesitsellleltassucbwbentbelimitistoucbed,in
tbesuspensionoltbeimpulse,tbebtokentension,tbelaintingotladingola
syncopation.
Whatishetellingus,i nawotd:
Atetm, notion,concept,othgute:Whatdoesthewotd/,Bes/e-
/ang) designate,appeatingas it does inthissingulatcontext,ofsublime
offeting) ,wheteeffott,ptecisely, stallsinma/ingan/Atthepoint
wheteeffottmee/sthelimitfotcingittoexe/i/seinthise/Wheteit
touchesuponthisexettionitselfand,ftomthistesistance,comesbackto-
watdit,isfeltotfeelsi/seatthelimit,istouchedottouchesi/seatthe
limit,exhaustsi/sei nexettingi/seWhatisthisnecessatilyh niteexpe-
tienceoffotcefulexe/isn Andistheteevetanyencountetwithout it:
Asfat astouchingisconcetned, doesthishnite thinkingoftesistingef-
fottsubtettaneouslymeet-withoutgettingmixedupotdissolvinginit
withamanifoldttadition,atthectosstoadsofhliationsotttendsbothhet-
etogeneousandafh ned, ftomMainede itan ,thethinketofeffottand
exettion,asitwete)toMetleau-lonyotGillesDeleuze,byway,ofcoutse)
ofHussetl'sIdeasII
Letusbepatient, touch thingsup, andttanslate,ifthis ispossible.

6 Othin_ tO !O in 5_ht.
hcrcs nO `thc scnsc O tOUCh
Hc tic, 'tcchn ' cr Bcd, Lcctcchnic
. . suddcnly . `s hcart is in my Icart.
Ccorgcs ataillc, quotcd in |can-Luc lancy,
Lctn_ 'tn_ular lural
He is speakingto usofan expetience,pethapsofexpetiencein genetal,
which consists inthis. tofeelsnese e/ingsnese/sach, ofcoutse,and
thetefotefeelingone's,masculineotfeminine)selftouched_/sache) . , l
amputtingthe femi nine gendetinpatenthesesbecause,asj ustnoted,
itmaywellbe thesublimeimagination feminine inltench thatis in
question,butalsoinotdettoannounceandtespectsexualdiffetences. Se
/sache, to touch ,oneself) , is to touchuponallthatcan be ttanslated,at
leastmetonymically,inse/sacheesexe, thatis,totouchone'sownotone
anothetsgenitals-andthetefoteallsexualdiffetences. )
8utbythesametoken,expetienceingenetalwouldstattthete.itwould
beginbyfeelingitselftouchingalimit,feelingtouchedbyalimit,andits
ownlimit.
Whatisittotouchone'sownlimitthus:ltissonottotouch, notto
touchoneselfenough,totouchoneselftoomuch. impossiblesublimityof
tact,thediabolicalmachinationoflovewhenitdictatesinhnitetenuncia-
tion. ltistolosetheptopetatthe momentoftouchingupon it,anditis
thisintettuption,whichconstitutesthetouchofthese/saching,touchas
se/saching, thatNancycallss,ncse.Whenhewaswtitingaboutthesyn-
cope, withoutspeakingvetymuchotevenatall,pethaps, abouttouch,he
wasalteadyspeakingaboutitandthiscouldpointtoagoodwayofcon
sequentlyteteadingevetything-ofteteadinghim,Nancy, butthewhole
philosophical ttadtion aswell. 'llttylatettoshowthatthemotifofthe
syncope,whichistosay,acettainintettuptionincontact,willsignallthe
intettuptions,ptecisely, betweenthemostpowetfulttaditionsofthinking
abouttouch,ontheonehand,andNancysthinkingontheothet.1hese
JJJ
r r z IhisIs-s /heO/her
intettuptionswill notalwaysbeobviousandeasilyaccessible.We shallap-
plyoutselvestoanalyzingthem,atthepointthatisneatestotmostptox-
imatetothefotmetandthelattetandthatiswhetethelogcofthesyn-
copewillplay adetetminingpatt, undetthisnameotanothet.
lltact and the catess cannotbegiven theit measute ot theit law in a
moteotless oltouch,thenpethapstheyhavenothingtodoriensir}
withtheexpetienceoltouchingandallthehgutesthatithasptocutedlot
us. Onewouldhavetoteviewevetythingin this lexiconandthis thetotic
andtakeinh niteptecautionsbefotetouchingonthem.lotexample,what
isonesayingwhenoneptoposes in ltench to/sacheranms/litetally
totouchawotd,colloquiallytohaveawotdwith,tomention :Whatis
one doing then:Whatis one intenton doing byhavinga wotd and
touchingone's ftiendwith it, lotexampleon thesubjectofthisotthat,
whichmightbetouch, touchinghimothet, otquitesimplyawotd, but
lot example thewotd touching :1o ftiendswe speakand inthemwe
conh de-btiehy, elliptically,closely-soas toinlotmthem,nodoubt, to
haveawotd with them and touch on it, olten, howevet, i notdet to
watnthem,to putthemontheitguatd,alettthem,Getintouchwith
him: Ohyes.l ' llhaveawotdwithhimandtouchonthis, shouldtheop-
pottunityatise,tohndoutwhathethinksofthis,andbythesametoken
l' ll tellhim, i nawotd, howl seethemattetathand-lmysell, soas to
avoidsayingfoolishthings,andalso,asatemindet,totecallalittleofthis
enotmousmemoty, thestuhedbellyolalibtatyoltouch. ) .Howisoneto
haveawotdandtouchon it:Andletoneselfbe touchedbyit:Avisible,
audible,teadablewotd:We havelongbeensttugglingbetweenthetactile
andvision, theeyethatdoesnottouchandtheeyethattouches,likeahn-
getotlips.ltisabouttimetospeakolthevoicethattouches-alwaysat
adistance,l iketheeye-andthetelephoniccatess, ifnotthe,sttiking)
phonecall.
, lmagine. lovetssepatatedfotlile. Whetevettheymayhndthemselves
andeachothet. Onthephone,thtoughtheitvoicesandtheitinhection,
timbte,andaccent,thtoughelevationsandintettuptionsinthebteathing,
actossmomentsolsilence,theylostetallthedihetencesnecessatytoatouse
asight,touch,andevensmell-somanycatesses,toteachtheecstaticcli-
maxltomwhichtheyateloteveweaned-butatenevetdeptived.1hey
knowthattheywillnevethndecstasyagain,evet-othetthanactossthe
cotdless cotdofthese entwinedvoices. Attagedy. ut intettwined, they
alsoknowthemselves,attimesonlythtoughthememotytheykeepolit,
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ r r
)
thtough thespecttalphantasmofecstaticpleasute-withoutthepossibil
ityofwhich,theyknowthistoo,pleasutewouldnevetbeptomised.1hey
havefaithinthetelephonicmemotyofatouch.lhantasmgtatihesthem.
Almost-eachinmonadicinsulatity. Eveniftheshoteofaphantasm,
ptecisely, seems tohave mote afh nitywithhainss/hai, that is, with the
semblanceotshineofthevisible.)
lotattheheattofallthedebatestegatdingthebodyptopet otthe
esh-ongoingdebatesaswellas thosethatlieinwaitfot us-at the
heattofthesyncope,betweentouchingandtheuntouchable,anabsolute
untouchablethatisuntouchablenotbecauseitisoftheotdetofsightot
heating,otanyothetsense,butuntouchableintheotdetoftouching,un-
touchabletouchable,untouchabletightat mcmsthetouchable) ,thete
istheotiginatyinttusion,theagelessinttusionoftechnics,whichistosay
ofttansplantationotptosthetics.Andonthegtoundless gtound ofthis
agelessotiginatity,whatwehavebeenspeakingaboutsincethebeginning,
is thehistotyofeventsandtheitcaesutas,thestotyofittuptions,muta-
tionswithout measute andwithout common measue, the stotyofin-
commensutablesingulatities. utnevetagainwillthesaidtechnicalin-
ttusion ofthe othet, the ecotechnics ofothet bodies letthemselves be
teduced.
Andwhatisonedoingwhen, tohave,andtouch) wotdwithhimot
het,oneislaughingwithaftiend:enitisnotLaughtetthatoneshates
withhim othetbutasingulatbutstoflaughtet:Now,whattelation can
this sttange questionhavewith the ones that have keptusoccupiedfot
sometime-havingtodowithtouching,limits,andsyncope:ltisbyway
ofthese questions ,that Nancy is neithetaskingas such not undetthis
guise, but towhichhedoes notfailto btingasottofanswet) that l at-
tempttoptepateasottofsuitablelodgingtoaccommodatetheteadingof
acettainpassage-onepageonly,inLaughtet,ltesence. lnthenameof
touch,ofcoutse.ltisapageatoundwhatNancyannounces,aetopening
apatenthesis,astheneedfotavetylongdetout. ,Nodoubthesays
. D. , avetylongdetoutshouldbemadehete) . ' es,we shall need to
takeavetylongdetouthete.
Laughtet, especiallya peal otbutst oflaughtet, is like a syncope. Of
coutse, even ifitshakes up the whole body, laughtetis a thingofthis
mouth-andtheopen mouth,towatdwhichthequestion oftouchand
self-touchincessantlyleadsusback.1hemouthtouches,touchesitself,is
touched,notonlybecausethelipstouch,andnotonlybecauseonewould
r| IhisIs-s/heO/her
notspeak-tohaveawotdwithaftiend,fotexample,totouchonamat-
tetwithhimothet-ifthisauto-affectionofamouth,thiscontactintet-
uptedandtepeatedbetweenthelips, thetongue,thepa|ate,andsofotth,
did notimpattspeech.
We musthavea mouth fot laughs and fot laughing. Sutely, we can
laughwithouteyes,butitisdicult,evenifitisnotimpossible)toimag-
inealivingbeinglaughingwithoutsomethinglikeanopeningothetthan
theeyes1heopeninginquestionmaybeptesentlyvisibleandsignihcant
inthebutstoflaughtet, otitmaynot,itisindispensable. lotlaughtetas
fotsomanyothetthings,motethanoneopeningisneeded.
1hatisalsowhyLaughtet,ltesenceletsusteadthelaughtetofawide
mouth,tedandwhiteandalluting. . . inChatles8audelaite's1heDe-
sitetolaint. Now, thissyncopatedbeatallatoncescansalimit, anen-
dutanceofthelimit,andanexpetienceof/ac/,oftouchingwithouttouch-
ingas att-notattinitsmanifestessence, initsptesence,butptecisely
inthemultiplebutstingofsingulatities.1houghlaughtetmaybethesub-
stance,oteventhesubjectofatt,italsomakestheessenceofatt,andof
eachoftheatts,disappeat.1histime,Nancyputstheaslike _csmme
whichgenetallyannouncestheptesentationofanessenceandanassuch
-attheseviceofabustingdiffaction,explosion,dispesion,anddisap
peating. 8utletus notfotgetthathealsospeaks,andj ustlyso,withthis
senseofj usticethattespectsabsolutesingulatity, withaviewtokeepingin
sight/histextby8audelaite,solelythisone,tathetthananyothet.
Laugbtetofinh nitemockety, ofdetision,anditony.tbesubectofattseesit-
selftbeteaswbatbutsts,explodes,isconsumed,anddisappeats.8utalso,tbe
laugbtetandsmileofaninexptessiblegtace, oftbegtacewitbwbicbatt
slipsaway, andeacbatt disappeats into anotbet onlyto bloom tbeteagain, a
supetbowetbuimpossibletotecognize,totelatetoitsmodelontbevol-
canicsoilwbetetbeteisnevetanytbing/ikeatt,wbeteallessenceispettihed.
Nancydtawstheconsequencesofthisbutstingofthelaughandiste-
spectfulofthesemultiplicities,whichphilosophy,thephilosophyofattin
patticula,alwaysseekstosublate,ottosublimate.Hethuswotksoutthe
logicofthesemultiplesingulatities,whichateas manyinstancesofcom-
ingintoptesencewithoutptesenceevetptesentingitselfas theessenceof
theptesence. Multiplesingulaities andsoonecanteadthesepages in
|neensenieini,,o andIheBir/h/sPresencein,,-1ans. .eas
latet,hewillspeakof/eingsinga/r/ara
Ns/hing/sDsinigh/ I 1 ]
Herewouldlikeparentheticallytomentiononeofthenumerouscon
ttetempswithwhichthe encounterotcrossbteedingolouttexts,yeats
apatt, appoints ,and thwarts) someanachronistic rendezvous lor us. n
Nancy's i,,6book

/esinga/ie/aie/Beinginga/aP/aa/} ,wecan
lollow mote than evet mote strongly acknowledged than ever, the in-
j unctionsandevenalogicoltouch.1ouchingistheveryexpetienceol
otigin as plural singulatity. 1hepluralsingulat, otiginatily, is what
hndsitsellgiventotouch.1heotigin couldbetouched,otwouldhaveto
be, as-andliketouchingitsellas setouching. 1o setobsnese
,se)tobsneans/he,amongtwo ormany) .se/sache, ingoodlrench,
canmeantosayallthat. to ,sell)touchonesell, tobeintouch,totouch
each othet,leminineotmasculine, amongtwootmany) . lrenchgtam-
mattoletatesreHexivenessasmuchasexingirreHexiveness,inthesingu-
latasintheplural andthisisbeginningtolooklikethettuesubjectol
thisbook. Moreovet, lortuitouslyotnot-we'llgetthete-thereisalsoa
ltench ttadition-an original one-ola cettain ptoblematic oltouch.
n anycase, Nancy insists on this plutalsingulatityatthemomentol
touching.
To bavetbegoalinsigbtallbuttoucbngbome, isagaintotiskmissingit.
8uttbeotigin is notagoal.Tbe Lnd, like tbe ltinciple, is a lotm oltbe
Otbet.To toucbupontbeotiginisnotto miss it. itisptopetlytobeexposed
to it. Sincetbeotiginisnotanotbettbing,ana/iad) , itisneitbetmissable
notapptoptiable,penettable,absotbable) .ltdoesnotobeytbislogic.ltistbe
plutalsingulatityoltbe8eingolbeings.We toucbonitotbeextenttbatwe
ate in toucb witb oarse/ces and in toucb witb tbe test olbeings.Weate in
toucbwitboutselvesandeacb otbet noas noastoachon} insolataswe exist.
8eingintoucbiswbatmakesusus, andtbeteisnoothetsectettodiscovet
otbutybebind tbis toucbingitsel bebnd tbewitbolcoexistence. ,Being
Singa/arP/a p. r,, ttanslationmodihed.Ttans. )
Onthelollowingpage,wegoltomtheverb/sachetothehomonymous
noun/a /sache, thetouch. sthisnotwhatintetestsusortouchesusin
litetature' andinthearts' :. . . Watcounts. . . isaccesstotheoriginset
apartca/e} ,initsverydistancingitsella/mcme} itisthepluraltouch
upon the singularotigin , bid. , p. r| modihed.-1ans. ) . n thisway,
touchingwouldbe-within8eing,as8eing,asthe8eingolbeingscsn-
/ac/oltheai/h,camorcs-)withonesellaswellaswiththeothet,theai/h
ascontact,communityascotact.
IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
Sobeit. 8uthowcanhesaythatweateptopetly. . exposedtoanoti-
ginthatisnotapptoptiable:l' llhavetoaskhimthis.|ustaslaskmyself
whylwouldnevethavedatedwtitethat.Heknowsinadvancethatlwould
undoubtedlyputupamutedtesistancethetefeat, pethaps,intheguiseof
stihnessotphilosophical tigotagainstthisftankassettion,thisassutance
tegatdingthessnsssofanexpositiontotheotigin.towit,anexistence,
afotmofself-touching,would,itself) beptopetlyexposed,accotdingto
him,towhatisptopetlytheotigin,itself) ,evenifthelattetwetenotap-
ptoptiable, inthesenseofpenettable,absotbable8utwhataboutothet
modesofapptoptiation:Andcouldn'tonestill detectinthesaidexposi-
ton-sstoanotiginthatwouldptopetlybeitself-atesetve,theulti-
matetesoutceofanapptoptiation:Ofateapptoptiation:1hepossibilityof
thisatmativestatement,1otouchupontheotigin. . . isptopetlytobe
exposedtoit)-astatementthatispossiblefothim,andnotfotme-may
bewhatinspites,motivates,dictates,andcompelsthethinkinganddesite
oftouching,andespeciallysowhenonecanseethisthinkingandthisde-
siteoftouchinginvadehiscotpusinanincteasinglyspeedyandintense
fashion,beitwithsomuchcaution,actosssomanycomplications, pata-
doxes,andhypetboles,beitintheabnegation,withoutnegation,oftouch-
ingwithinthewithouttouchingandbeitthtoughtheactiveotimplicit
teadingofothetthinkets.Andthisishowltthetexplain,withoutseek-
ingtoomuchtoj stiavittualquestionotobjection ,itdoesnotmattet
hete) ,thatthehguteandlexiconoftouchtemaintathetscantasfatasl
amconcetned,atleastonthetateoccasionswhen,asitwete,lspeakinmy
ownname.1hatiswhythosewhohavethiseasiettouchfascinatee.l
admite them, yet l cannot bting myselfto believe in itvety much-in
touching,thatis.Someill-intentionedthoughwell-ptogtammedphiloso-
phetsmayconcludeftomthisthatammoteofanidealistthanNancy.
Mydefenseattotneywouldnotbe longin tesponding,playinguptwo
countetclaims.
r. Whathas confetted on touch itsabsoluteptivilegeand itstitles of
philosophicnobilityisagteatidealisticttadition,ftom8etkeley'sabsolute
idealism to KantsotHussetl'sttanscendental idealism. llatohadalteady
stattedthis ,aswe'lllatetsee) .
z.P fotidealists,isn'tNancyj ustanothetone, guiltytathetbecauseof
hisimptudencewhenhestill cteditstheapptoptiationofaptopetnessand
whenhequietlysays.1otouchupontheotiginisnottomiss it. itisptop-
etlytobeexposedtoit:
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/
And idealism belotetutningitintoaphilosophical combatweapon,
thete atesomanypteliminatyquestionstoaskaboutthehistotyolthe
a-whichisseentathetthantouched, itsnameindicates-andabout
theitteptessibleandundeniableconstitutionolideality,aboutidealization
ptocessesandtheidealisticpositioninsctibedinthehistotyolsenseand
thesenses,intheobscutettackingbetweensense,commonsense,andthe
senses,lotexample, betweentouchandsight.1hisenotmoushistotyhas
keptmanyamongusbusylotquitesometime,elsewhete,whatismote
andl 'llcomebacktoit) .
Supposingl taised obectionshete, thugh l don't ,l ammetelyaston-
ished, otconcetned) , Nancycouldspecithat, inthispassage, hedoes
notsimplyspeakinhisownname.Atthisexactmoment,heisthinking
withGeotges8ataille,heisactivelyteadingandintetpteting,explaining
andexposingacettain8ataille,andkeepinghimcompany.lnotdettobe-
comeinvolvedi nalaitandsetiousdebate,onewoudtheteloteneedto
disentanglewhatlallstoeithetone,anditisalmostimpossibletodosoin
thiscontext.lshoulddonomotethanquotethepassageandtheaccom-
panyingnote,whichcalllot, motivate,andj ustithelinesintowhichl
j ustptied,withsomebaementonmypatt.We shallseethatNancydoes
nomotepethaps ,butisn'titagteatdeal: isn'titenotmous:) thansubtly
divett8ataille'slexicon,andadmitheisdoingit,pteciselywhete8ataille
himsellnamesacettaindivetsion,tothelettet.
lndeed,whenonthesubjectol/a/h,8ataillesaysaccedeandattain,
Nancy, ilonemaysayso, ttanslatesitbytouch, whilespeakingabout
sigin,thistime.1hisacknowledgeddivetsion,aswe'lltead) mustnotbe
ctiticizedotdenounced,howevet,itpetmitsidentihcationolthedtiveto
think-nametouchthesenseoltouch,tathetthananyothet,asptopetly
Nancean,ptopetly:Comeon . . . ) .
l ll nowthinki t necessatyt oquote thiswholepassage, includingthe
noteandalongltagmentby8ataille,itislotanothetteason,whichmay
beevenmoteimpottant,ithaspethapsimpatteditshtstmovementtothe
analysis.Attheendolthe8ataillequotation,initalicsolwhichlnolonget
knowwhethettheyateNancy'sotnot theitalicsateGeotges8ataille's
1tans. ,wecanteadthesewotds. Suddenly8. 'sheattisinmyheatt. As
lotthe suddeneventolthis uttetance, nothingcouldhavekeptNancy
ltomheatingitbeatinhisvetyownheatt.Andheteweateheatingitai/h
him, i noutheattaltogethetothetand the same. Hete is the passage, it
comesimmediatelybelotethepatagtaphatound1otouchupontheoti
r Ihisss/hsO/hs
gin . . . isproperlytobeexposedtoit. 1helexiconoftouch,theunder-
scoring, bearsNancy's signature, ofcourse, and not 8ataille's.1he insis-
tence-soirrepressible-onacertainexactitudeoncemore,exact, ex
actly.heevenboldlywritesperhaps,exactly)issignedbyNancyaswel|.
1hemovementhnds itselflaunched, then relaunched, inan impeccably
calculatedplayontheequivocalsyntaxofanexpressionoftruth,ai/
,a phraseremainngforever lrench, as ifatonguecouldbe touchedun-
translatably-andonthefollowingpageNancyevokesacertainuntrans-
latableformingeachtime,anabsolutepointoftranslation,transmission,
ortransitionoftheoriginin/ssigin
being-aith.Tbeotiginistogetbetwitbotbetotigins,otiginallypattedln
ttutb,tbetelote,weaccedetoi t We teacb noasaccdons ,inexactaccotdance
witbtbemodeolaccess.wegettbeteweateontbebtink, as neatascan be,
attbetbtesboldwe toachontbeotigin Nancy'sempbasis.-|D. ] .lnttutb,
weaccede. . /a crit, noasaccdons] is8ataille'spbtase,andltepeatits
ambiguitywbiledivettingitltomitsteacbsincein8atailleitptecedestbe
assettionolaninstantaneouslossolaccess.Lvetytbingcomestopass,petbaps,
exactlybetweenlossandapptoptiation-neitbetonenottbeotbet, notone
andtbeotbet,butmucbmotebizattelyandsimplytbantbat.
lnttutb,mymemotylailsme.8ataillewtitesweattain_noasatteignons}
to attain, to accede-like tbedoublingoltbeapptoximateitsellintoucbing
attbeotigin 8utlmustcitetbewbolepassageltom8ataille.Wedon'tbave
tbemeansolattainingatoutdisposal.inttutb,wedoattainwesuddenlyat-
taintbenecessatypoint andwe spendtbetestoloutlivesseekingalost mo-
ment butbowonenwemissit,lottbeptecise teasontbatseeking itdivetts
usltomit.|oiningtogetbetisdoubtlessameans. . . olmissingtbemoment
oltetutnlotevet.Suddenly,inmydatkness,inmysolitude,anguisbgivesway
toconviction. it's insidious soarnois , nolongetevenwtencbing arrachant
,tbtougb constantwtencbing, itnolongetwtencbes) , saddenB.:heartisin
m heart. ,Nancy,BeingSinga/arP/ara/ p. r ,, p r ;6m;, modihed.-Ttans. )
Onwhomisitbestowed,thisterriinggrace-tohear,grasp,receive,
andevencountersigntheliteralityoftheselastwords,sudden|y8. 'sheart
is in my heart: ndoubtedly not even on their author, not even on
8ataille.
ndoftheparenthesis. lresume.wewere,asalways,laughingwithhim.
Whatislaughedbythepoemisthereforethelogicofthesemultip|esin-
gularitiesthatareasmanyinstancesofcomingintopresence,without
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ r r )
ptesenceevetptesentingitselfastheessence ofptesence-aswewetesay-
ing 1hete whete it is laughed by the poem, thete whete the poem is
laughingthat_/ssemsi/a , in amovementthatisintetnal,immanent,
andyetbutstingout,laughtetbecomesa/sncs,thetefote,ttansitiveandin-
ttansitive.We noted this eatlietabout weighing, which weighs, and
whichisweighingwhatitweighs, theothet ,ttansitively) , otofits own
weight,inttansitively) , aha/itthinks.ltcomesdowntothinkingweigh-
inglike laughtet otteats. One is eithetweepinginttansitively, petiod, ot
one isweeping teats, ttansitively, , bemoaningthe loss of) somethingot
someone-otbecause one no longetknows who otwhat, otoneselfas
who otwhat,isweeping.1ocomplain,petiod.Ottomakeapointtocom-
plain about. . . . 1o complain about someone-ot because one has lost
someone.Asmanyteasonsotways toweep.Whomotwhat.
Ofthese multiplesingulatitiesletus, fotthemoment, tetainj ustone
ttait.lotoutdecisionconcetningthettaitthatischosenandtematked,as
always, pettainstoaconttact-touching,him) in awotd, and conttact-
ingevetythingatthelimit,thettacedout|ineofacontact.Whichttait:
1his one itissna/imi/thatthesesingulatities butstoutlaughing, but
this limit,hete,putstouchand theothetsenses in touch, and thus con-
htms the quasi-ttanscendental ptivilege ofthe tactile-ofspacing, in
ttuth-andfutthet, ofspacingaswhatgives tiseto/schnandtheptos-
theticsubstitute. lndeed, contact does notcatty out anyfusionotany
identihcation, notevenanyimmsdia/scontiguity. Oncemotewehaveto
dissociate touch ftomwhat common sense and philosophical sense ate
fotevetaccotdingit, namely,immsdiac-asevidenceitself,asthehtstax-
iom ofaphenomenologyoftouch.
1heuseNancymakesoftheexptessiona/sssx/aa/ssseemsobses-
siveattimes,andyetitisttulynecessatyanddetetmining.lnadditionto
aninvincibleptincipleofdisseminaldivisibility, itseemstometosigni
acease|essdesitetomatkthisbteakwiththeimmediacyotthecontinuity
ofcontact, this i ntetval ofspacing, this extetiotity, at the selfsamemo-
ment,futthetmote,whentheteissuchinsistenceoncontiguity, touching,
contact,andsofotth.AsifNancywantedtomatktheintettuptionofthe
continuousandchallengethelawofintuitionatthevetyheattofcontact.
Andindoingthis,hisintetventiontouchesandtampetswiththephilo-
sophicgigantomachysuttoundingintuitionand intuitionism-no less.
lndeed,atewegoingatoundanythingothetthanintuitionism,i nthis
debatewithouta combat: Not this otthatintuitionism as docttineot
r zo IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
philosophicalthesis, not anintuitionismintheset held ofadetetmined
ptoblematicthatwouldfacean opposing, advetseposition-againstfot-
malism,conceptualism,andsofotth.No. Rathet,weendeavottoidenti
anintuitionismconstitutiveofphilosophyitself,ofthegestuteofthought
thatconsistsinphilosophizing-andevenoftheidealizationptocessthat
consistsoftetainingthesenseoftouchwithinsightsoastoensutefotthe
glancingeyethefullnessofimmediateptesence tequitedbyevetyontol-
ogyotmetaphysics.1hefullnessofimmediateptesencesignihesaboveall
theac/aa/i/ofwhatgivesitselfeffectively, enetgetically,ac/aa/.As the
noun might indicate,we knowthatin/ai/isngives aptivilegetovision.
8utitisalways toteach apointthete,whetethefulhllment, thepleni-
tude,otthehllingofvisualptesencetouchescontact,thatis,asin/that,
inanothetsense,onecouldnicknameblindspot,andthetetheeye/sachss
and lets itselfbe touched-byatayoflight,unlessitis ,motetately,and
mote dangetously) by anothet eye, the eye ofthe othet. At least since
llato,nodoubt,anddespitehisindebtednessto theeyethatlooks,intu-
itionism has a/ssbeen ametaphysicsand ttopologyoftouch-ameta-
physicsashapto-ttopologic.1hismetaphysicsfulhllsitselfandthuscomes
toitsplenitude,itspletoma,whichistosay,itslimit,inbettingontheele-
mentatyttickot/anoftactilefulh llment,thetutnotbentofalanguage
thatisotientedinaquasi-natutalfashiontowatd touch, thetewhete,as
languageptecisely, itlosesintuitionandnolongetgivestosee.
Letusatleasttecallllato'sPhasds,inwhichevetythingisalteadypte-
hguted. lmeantosaythat,init, thehguteoftouchisptehguted. Socta-
tesasks.whendoesthesachtouch,ha/s/ai)onttuthandattainit:1he
answetwhenitisttoubledneithetbyvisionnotheating,notanypleasute
otdispleasuteofthebody,inothetwotdswhenithasdismissedthesen-
sible,whenithasbeenabletosayhellogoodbye _sa/a/ tothesenses
andthebody,chaisin/ssma) ,6;c) ,andwhenshehasaslittleaspossi-
ble to do with the body i . e. , as little intetcoutse, contact ,mdha-
/smsn) , andhasnobodilysenseotfeeling, butisaspitingaftetbeing
,itdssisswhatis. ssg/ai/sasn/ss) ,6;c) .Onlybynolongettouchingon
touching,namely,onthecotpotealandsensiblelettetofthetangible,does
thesachthustouchonttuth, andattaintheassc/, thevisibilityofthe
sidss,ofwhatteallyisandtealizeinidealizing.8utthen,bytouchingon
itbywayofah gute,sachteallytouches,ha/s/ai)uponttuth.lttouches
oniti ngivingup touching.1tuthisnotouchedexceptwheteitisun-
touchable.lnllato'sRsa//icthesamehaptich gutedesctibesthetela-
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ zr
tionoftheimmortalsoulwitheverythingthati t touhesor attains ,ha-
/s/ai)initslovefortruth-philosophyitsel
ltisagreat,endlesshistoryofhaptics.lftogetherwithlascalonewere
toimaginellato,to attract towards Christianity, oneofthe paths of
thedemonstrationwouldgonotonly,andself-evidently, andalltooob-
viously) through a thinkingoftruthasl ight, asrevelation tosight, but
alsothroughtheafh nityoftwohaptics, two haptologies,theoneinthe
Gospels, ofwhichwespokeearlier,andtheoneofwhichafewexamples
inllatohavej ustbeenevoked.
lrom llato to Henri 8ergson, from 8erkeley orMaine de 8iran to
Husser,andbeyondthem,thesameongoingformalconstraintiscarried
out.certainlythereisthewellknownhegemonyofeidetics,asgasora-
sc/, and thereforeasvisibleformexposedto adisembodied,incorporeal
look. 8utthissupremacyitselfdoesnotobeytheeyeexcepttotheextent
thatahapticalintuitionismcomestofulh llit,hllit,andstillthei nten-
tionalmovementofdesire, asadesireforpresence. lordesire, ofcourse,
isofitselfnaturallyintuitionii-as soon as itisweanedofintuition,
andthatisitsh rstlethalcontradictionandtheprecursorysignofitsend,
its/s/ss. Ie/ssishapticointuitionistic.Shallwesayofphilosophyingen-
eralthatitis obedientlyunderthethumbofthehngerandtheeye:lor,
astheRsa/cspellsitout,whatisatissuehereishi/ssshitselfandthe
desireofpuresach.
We could trace the necessityandspeakofthelegacy ofan analogous
movementinllotinus,whouseshapticaltermsbothabundantlyandde-
cisively,sah. contact,shasas/haisha/s/a. touch, tobeincontact,
/higsin.totouch,/hixisatouch,andsoforth) . lirst,touchingyieldsss-
sncs theOneisalwayspresenttoanyonewho isabletotouchit Cor-
relatively, thiscomesdowntotheindivisibilityoftheOneandschica/ex
perience,therelationoftheknowingsoulwiththeindiisi//s, forthesoul
agreeswiththe One,itisincontactwithit, as itwere,andtouchesit, '
andwithwhatiswhollysimple, itisenough iftheintellectcomesinto
contactwithit. 1hiscontactismoreextraordinary, morehyperbolic
hyperbolicasss/sina/ssasias,whichisthehyphen,sotospeak,between
llatoandllotinus)-andtoucheswhatexactly_cs/ammsstandsbeyond
8eing,theOneastheGood,thusbringingitintopresence.therewillnot
beathoughtofit,butonlyatouchingandasortofcontact. We could
thentouchwhatisnotWhichistosay, notonlyinteligiblebeings-be-
yondthesenses-butalsowhatdoesnotevenpresentitselfanylongeras
r zz IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
abeing,abeingptesent.lnAtistotle,onehndsananalogoushgute,ahgute
beyond thehgute, this timeaboutnsas, thesachinasmuchasitknows.
dthoughtthinksontselfbecauseitshatesthenatuteoftheobectof
thought _/a/a ms/a/sin/sans/sa fotitbecomesanobjectofthought
incomingintocontactwithandthinkingitsobjects, sothatthoughtand
objectofthoughtatethesame_nsssgagigns/ai/hiann/ainsn,hs/s
/aa/snnsas/ains/sn} .
Onlyi f thehapticalitselfcalledtootdet,namely, themetonymicotdet
olthengs, thatis, ofthehandtheotdetofptesenceswouldonebeal-
lowedtospeakofsttictobedienceundetthethumbofthehngetandthe
eye listhusdecidedinthepassageofametonymy, andthestakesmay
bethete,pethaps,hnally, as maybethesingulatityofNancy'swotk. itin-
heteslessinthetecollectionoftouchthaninanothetthinkingofthebody,
themouth,andthe hand ,thehandandthehngets) , andespeciallyof
metonymy ltisanothetstotyandhistotyofthebody, ptesupposingalso
anothetexpetienceofdesite.
1o this we have not yet come Soonwe shall be questioningcettain
textsbyMainede 8itanandHussetl, tegatdingvetyptecisely,especially
ftomthesin/sisas/hshand ifl maysayso) acettainptivilegeof
touchNevetmind8etgson,whosetecommendationitistomultiplymeta-
photsinotdettoexceedthedeceitlultigiditiesofconcepts,absttactideas,
whethetgenetalotsimple.

Nevetmindwhenhetecallsustotheneed
ofthisdispatatemultiplicityofttopologicalhgutes.seeingfulh llsitselfin
touching.Nevetmindthatheis pleadingfotasttategyoldispetsaland
spendthtiftthetotic.
Noimagewillteplacetbe intuition oldutation, butmanydilletentimages,
takenltomquitedilletentotdetsoltbings,willbeable,tbtougbtbeconcer-
gence oltbeitaction, to ditect tbe consciousness to tbe pteciseointwbete
tbeteisacettainintuitiontoseizeon. 8ycboosingimagesas dissimilat dis-
arates aspossible,any oneoltbemwill bepteventedltomasaringtbeplace
oltbeintuitionitisinsttuctedtoca/lottb,sinceitwouldtbenbedtivenout
immediatelybyitsrica '
,1heemphasisi s mineWhatabeautifulphilosophicalptogtamAnd
whatasceneSomanywellchosenimages,indeed,atoundthisqueen,ln-
tuition,aschs, as itwete, aqueenca/sdupon totuleAndwecansee
thesuitots, notto mention theiactowdingatoundthethtone. allol
them-maleandfemale-conceptssutpingdamesRegicides)
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ z
)
Andso,atthemomentwhenhe tells ofthis csnsgsncsand this limit
sin/ofintuitionitself,somethinghewillsooftentermcoincidence ,as
will Metleaulontyaftet him) , 8etgson is still hietatchiing. And then
,shlwesay,asllatodoes:)hesubjectsvisiontocontact.Incidsncscande-
hnetheangleofathingoralook,atayoflightsttikingasurface,wheteas
csincidsncscalls fotanexperienceinvolvingcontact.Whenvisiontends
nolongertodistinguishitselfftomtheseenorthevisible,itisas /hsss
/sachsdthethingitself-orbettetyet, in theevent ofthis encountet, as
ifthe eye let itselfbetouchedbyit. l ntuitivevisiondoesnotj ustcome
intocontact, as itissaid, it/scsmsscsn/ac/, and this movementwould
pettaintoitsnaturedtthet,itsmotionwouldgoitsdrivewouldex-
tend, rathet, fromthe optical ,orthe scopical) to the haptical.1hus,fot
example.1heintuition. . . then beatsabovealluponintetnalduration.
ltgraspsasuccessionwhichi snotj uxtaposition. . . . ti sthedirectisisn
ofthe mindbythemind. . . . lntuition, then, signih es h rst ofall con-
sciousness, butimmediateconsciousness, aisisnwhichisscatcelydis-
tinguishableftomtheobjectseen,aknowledgewhichiscsn/ac/andeven
csincidsncs.

We know that this becominghaptical of the optical is one of the

themes ofGillesDeleue'sandllixGuattari'sA IhsasandP/a/saas,even
ifthe8etgsonianstteak ,to whichDeleuealways laidaclaim, inciden-
tally) isnotcenttali nthiscontext.RefetenceisespeciallymadetoHenri
MaldineyandAlos Riegl. ltwasAlos Rieglwho, insomematvelous
pages,gavefundamentalaestheticstatustothecouple, c/sssisisnha/ic
sacs. ' Whetetheteisclosevision,spaceisnotvisual,ortathertheeye
itselfhasahaptic,nonopticalfunction.
1hehandisnotfar, theteagainotmoteexactly/hs ngss/hshan
1he hnget is not fat, in fact,since this evendealswiththeclosetange,
withclosevision, andasin8etgson,aswej usttead,with/hsmindthe
vetymind.Aboutnomadspaceorattwetead. 1 hewholeandthepatts
givetheeyethatbeholdsthemafunctionthatisha/ica/hs/hans/ica/.
1hisis an animalitythatcanbeseenonlybytouchingitwithones mind
butwithout/hsmind/scsmingangs ns/ssn / aa s/hsss. ,lna
much ctuderfashion,thekaleidoscopehasexactlythesame function. to
givetheeyeadigi/a/function. ) '
WhobetterthanHlneCixous,asneatascanbetohetownexperience,
willhave ai//sn, and desctibed, thepoemforthishgureofthetouching
r z| IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
eye:1ouchingwith the hand and lips-butas hgute oltheh gute, pte-
cisely,andwithoutlettingus/s/issthataphilosophicalconceptcouldlit-
etally, ptopetly, measute up to it: ln Cixous's Savoit-aswellas else-
wheteanddilletetly, insomanyplaces-whatisgiventoseeisgivento
touch,thoughhecelotth,ltomtheoutset,itisgiventotead. 1histhing
happensaetasagica/,thatis,handmade,opetationthathasj usttestoted
HlneCixousseyesight,j ustasanothetsutgetyhadgivenanothetheatt,
theheattolanothet, maleotlemale,to|ean-LucNancy-andsol asso-
ciate mytwomitaclewondetltiends. l havequotedltomhis L'in/as,
hete, now, ishetSavoit
8utat tbis dawn witboutsubtetfuge sbebad seen tbewotldwitbbetown
eyes,witboutintetmediaty,witbtbenon-contactlenses.Tbecontinuityofbet
esbandtbewotld'sesb,toucbtben,waslove,andtbatwastbemitacle,giv-
ing.^! Sbebadnttealizedtbedaybefotetbateyesatemitaculousbands,bad
nevetenoyedtbedelicatetactoftbecotnea,tbeeyelasbes,tbemostpowetful
bands,tbesebandstbattoucbimpondetablyneatandfat-offbetes. Sbebad
nottealizedtbateyesatelipsontbelipsofGod
Sbebad usttoucbedtbewotldwitbbeteye,andsbetbougbt.tisIwbo
cansee.
-
Iwouldtbusbemyeyes. ltbeencountet,tbemeetingpointbeween
myseeingsoulandyouiolentgentleness,btusqueappatition,lilingeyelids
and. tbewotldisgiventobetintbebandofbeteyes.Andwbatwasgivento
bet tbat htst daywastbegiftitself,giving. ,Cixous, i/s, p. ,)
8ecauseolthesximi/value, because this vectotolc/ssssssncsh-
nallydetetminestheconceptandtetmhaptic, becausethehapticalvit-
tuallycovetsallthesenseswhetevettheyapptoptiateaptoximity, Deleuze
andGuattatipteletthewotdhaptic tothewotdtactile. Haptic'isa
bettetwotdthan tactile' sinceitdoes notestablishanoppositionbetween
twosenseotgansbuttathetinvitestheassumptionthattheeyeitsellmay
lulhllthisnonopticalluncton . . ltseemstousthattheSmoothisboth
the ob ect ola close vision pat excellence and the element ola haptic
space,whichmaybeasmuchvisualotauditotyastactile) .
What makes the haptical, thus intetpteted, cling to closeness, what
identihesitwiththeapptoacholtheptoximate,notonlywithclosevi-
sionbutanyapptoach,inevetysenseandlotallthesenses,andbeyond
touch) ,whatmakesitkeepupwiththeapptoptiationoltheptoximate,is
acsn/inais/icpostulationAndthiscontinuismoldesiteaccotdsthiswhole
discoutsewiththegenetalmotilolwhatDeleuzeandGuattati ,inlollow
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ I 2 ]
ingAntoninAttaud) claimas thebodywithoutotgans. Consequently,
itisin thesmoothandnotthe sttiatedspacethatthishapticalcontin-
uismhnds,ottathetseeksitselementofapptoptiation,anditisthetethat
itconhtmsandsmoothesoutitslogicofapptoach. 1heh tstaspectofthe
haptic, smooth space ofc|ose vision is that its otientations, landmatks,
andlinkagesateincsn/inasasvatiation, itopetatess/s / s/s _dsschs
snschs}
_ 'O
lsaidcontinuisticss/a/a/isn-othecontinuousisnevetgiven. Ihss
isnssanas, immsdia/sexpetienceofthecontinuous,notofcloseness,
notofabso|utetoximity, notofputeindiffetentiation-nomotethanof
thesmooth, otthetefoteofthebodywithoutotgans. Ofallthat,thete
isnevetanyimmediate given. Whetehasexpetienceevetencounteted
,petceived,seen,touched,heatd,tasted,//) theputelysmooth:Otsome
bodywithoutotgans, Attaud'sgteatfantasy, his metaphysical and no
doubtChtistianfantasy:fonehasnevetmetthem,ifthishasnevetgiven
tisetoaneventotanexpetience,ifthishasnevetcomeothappened,does
thisthengive usacontingentc/`Andwould thisfactptecludeneithet
thetightofconceptnotthetightofdesite:Otontheconttaty,isthisan
essentialphenomenologicalimpossibility, ansids/iclawofexpetienceand
event,avetyconditionofdesite,whichanyconceptualconsttuction-any
conceptcteation, asitwete-shouldtakeintoaccount:Andthusevety
philosophy,evenifthis acknowledgmentcountetsan inetadicableintu-
itionismconstitutingthetegulatingideaofphilosophyitself,assuggested
eatliet) :Adeconsttuctionbeginsinthisvetyexpetienceitis,makes,and
beatsouttheexpetienceandexpetimentofthisapotia.
1heconceptofsmoothisnotsmooth-nomotethantheteisanytig-
otousconceptofthehapticalhete,fotthehapticalthendependsonthe
smooth,inacottelative,detetminingfahion.Thetelationbeweensmooth
andsttiated, thetefote,does notconstituteateliableconceptualopposi-
tion, buttathetanidealizingpolatity, anidealizedtendency, thetension
ofacsnadic/sdesite,fotputesmoothnessistheendofevetything,death
itself)ftomwhichonlyamixedgiven, amixtute,animputitycomesfotth
inexpetience.
Woulda distinctionbetweenfactandtightsavethepettinenceofthis
conceptualopposition,asDeleuzeandGuattatiseemtothink,atthevety
moment, tightatthebeginningofthechaptet on thesmooth andthe
sttiated, whentheyateacknowledgingthemixes ofwhichwespeak: l
believe this tobealltheless likelyinthatthefact inquestionis notan
r z IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
empitical, contingent fact, but aneidetic law ofsttuctute ,and thus of
sttictuteotsttiation) ,andaboveall , inthatthedistinctiondefactode
j ute, likethedistinctionsmoothsttiated, hndsitselfhietatchized, the
distinctionishnallykeptundetthedej uteauthotityoflaw,andthetefote
ofaputeconceptualoppositionwhichnevetfunctions) . Letustathetas
sessthefollowing,andkeepinmindthatthehaptical,stillonthesideof
thesmooth,isabsolutelyneattoabsoluteptoximity.
Smootb space and sttiatedspace-nomad space andsedentatyspace-tbe
spaceinwbicbtbewatmacbinedevelopsandtbespaceinstitutedbytbeState
appatatus-atenotoltbesamenatute.Nosoonetdowenoteasimpleoppo
sitionbetweentbe two kinds olspace tbanwe mustindicateamucbmote
complexdilletencebyvittueolwbicbtbesuccessivetetmsoltbeoppositions
lailto coincideentitely.Andnosoonetbavewedonetbattbanwemustte-
mindoutselvestbattbetwospacesinctmyempbasis-|.D. ] existonlyin
mixtute.smootbspaceisconstantlybeingttanslated, ttansvetsedintoastti-
atedspace,sttiatedspaceisconstantlybeingtevetsed, tetutnedtoasmootb
space. . . . 8uttbedelacto mixesdonotptecludeadeare otabsttact, dis
tinctionbetweentbetwospaces. . . it istbe deare distinction tbatdetet-
minestbelotmsassumedbyagivendecto mixandtbeditectionotmean-
ingoltbemixo o o o
Theauthotitydej ute,hete,isallthelessauthotizedtomakeadecision
since,sn/hssnshandittathetpettainstooneofthetwoagencies,sttiated
powet,andoftenstatepowet)andisalteadyimplicatedintheptoblematic
opposition,likeadehningelementinthedehnedotto-be-dehned) , and
sn/hss/hshandftomaputelyj utidical-phenomenologicalpointofview,
thetecoutsetoexpetienceitselfshows that thessnssofthismixingnevet
delivetsanythingthatmightbe,defactootdej ute,puteandfteeftomthe
saidmixtute.
Thetefote,theteisnopute concept, notanyputeintuition,ofcoutse,
notanyimmediateintuitionofthehaptical.
Nancy, fothispatt,depatts.Hedepatts,hematkshisdepattute,Cot-
pus.AnothetDepattuteisachaptettitleinCsas) .Hepattsandshates
andsepatates, heno doubtalsodepattsftomthisfundamentalptoblem-
atic,aswellasftomthisintuitionismofthecontinuousottheimmsdia/s,
this motetadical, moteinvincible, moteitteptessibleintuitionismthan
theonesimplyopposedtoitsconttaty,conceptualism,fotmalism,andso
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ r z
/
lotth) . Nancy thus givesanothetshaingsa/anda/ingolthesensesto
think, inthisplaceolthelimit,s/aa/limits, whetethisttaditionhnds
itstesoutce.Matkingand tematkingthelimits,tathet, hespacesoutthe
continuity olthis contact between touchi ng and the othet senses, and
eventheimmediatecontinuityattheheattoltouchingitsell, ilonemay
sayso-the touchinghe will tecall as local, modal, ltactal . Latet, in
Csasr))z) ,aftet|nssnss nisi
))
o) ,itisonthesubectolexsctip-
tion, olteading,andpteciselyoltouchingasteading,otteadingastouch-
ing, that the ptivilegegiven to immediacy will hnd itsellhtmlychal-
lenged,andwehavej ustevokedtheinexotablettaditionolthisptivilege,
itsinvinciblecompulsion, andtheendlesstesistanceitwillkeepopposing
toanintetminableanalysis. WhileNancy,ontheconttaty.
. . . ,here,see,tead,take, Hocestenimcotpusmeum . . . ) . Olallwtiting,a
body is tbe lettet, and yet nevet tbe lettet ot, mote temote, mote decon-
sttucted tban all litetality, a lettticity tbat |s no longetlot teading. Tbat
wbicbolawtiting-colit-isnotlotteading,tbatswbatabodyis.
,Otwecleatlybavetoundetstandteadingastbatwbichisnotdecipbeting,
but tatbet toucbing and being toucbed, baving to do witb bodymass and
bulk.Wtiting,teading,atactlulallait. 8uttbeteagainandtbis,too,basto
becleat-onlyupon tbeconditiontbattact does notconcenttate, does not
layclaim-asDescattes'stoucbingdoes-totberici/egegicento immedia
wbicbwouldbtingabouttbelusionolall tbe sensesandolsense. Toucbing,
too,toucbing,htst,is/oca/, moda/,acta/. ) ,Nancy, Coas, p.
:s
On the scote ol/sdscs/schnics, awotld olbodiesthat has nosense,
neithetttanscendentalnotimmanent,Csasputsuesthisdislocationol
touch.Withoutevetlettinggoolhisinsistenceonthetactile-heiskeen
onitandnevetgives itup-Nancyalways associates it, agains/thecon-
tinuisticttaditionolimmediacy,withthevalueolapattness,displacement,
spacing, pattition, patting, dividing, otshating out. 1hete is no intact
mattet-ilthetewetethetewouldbe nothing. On theconttaty, theteis
tactility,posinganddeposing,thethythmolthecomingandgoingolbod-
iesinthewotld.1actunbound,pattingandimpattingitsell,bid. ,p. roz) .
,Onecannotbesute, olcoutse-even ilhewages abattle againstthis
all the time, itseems to me-thatNancyhits itoll, withevetysttoke,
continuallyandsimply, anddodgesthecontinuisticandimmanentistpos-
tulationaboutthesmooth andthebodywithoutotgansolwhichwe
spokeeatliet. utwho couldhnishwiththistemptingpostulation:And
z? IhisIs-s/hsO/hs
onecanalwaysaskoneselfwhythisisnscsssa. whatotwhoembodiesthe
hgute ofthis Necessityhete. )
Assoonastactility,likesense,likethesenses)isthusshasdsa/,a/sd,
pattaken of, divided, pattitioned,plutalized-inawotd,sncsa/sd fot
shatingoutisasyncopeandthesyncopeashatingout-butaswellgiven
toothets,disttibuted,dispensed,theteisnolongetanythingonecandes-
ignate by using the genetal singulat pteceded by a dehnite atticle in
ltench./s/sachs, the touching.1hedehniteatticleingenetal-itself
andptopetly-h ndsitselfhencefotthunemployed,pethaps,fotanything
whatsoevet-aswewetej ustsayingamomentagoaboutthewotdsmms,
same, ss, ptopet, andschs,ptoximate. uthowatewetowtite
without them, without making believewe believe: Without each time
askingtheothetto believe inthatfotthespellofasctatchingthatwill
come to sign the shated, impatted act offaith, and shate out ,divide,
wotty, puttopieces) theactoffaith, andfaith itself:1hisishowheex-
sctibes, fot example-andwe shall undetstand him. 1hete is no the'
bodytheteisnothe'senseoftouch theteisnothe' sssx/snsa.1heteis
thattheteis. cteationofthewotld,/schnofbodies,limitlessweighingof
sense, topogtaphical csas, geogtaphyofmultipliedectopias-and no
u-topi ,ibid. , p.|) .
ltisalwaysthesamebteakwithimmediacyandtheindivisibilityofthe
continuous.1his bteakis not Nancy's, ptecisely, itis not his decision. lt
takesplace. Hetecognizes it, weighs it, pondets it, thinks it. lt is not so
easy. ut this bteak,which does not mean thattouchingisgivenaleave,
otthattheptoximateis, otthenextone, otthesame,otthedehniteatti-
cle,andsofotth,testtuctutesotteintetptetsthesesignihcations.ltwould
benecessatytoquoteallthepagesdedicatedtothe/schnofbodies, but
lhaveto limitmyselftothisexttactpointingtothepath,thepathofan-
othethete-outs, theheteofouthistotictime,ofoutnow,ofouthis-
toticbody.hss, thepathleadingftomthedeconsttuctionoftouchingto
adeconsttuctionofChtistianity, itsbefoteaswellasitsbeyond.
Lcotecbnicsdeconsttucttbesystemolendsandmakestbemnonsystematiz-
able,nonotganic,evenstocbastic. . . linally,area/it,givesalawandmedium,
inlieuolattanscendent/immanentdialectic,olaroximit,, botbglobaland
local-onewitbintbeotbet. linally,weatewitbintbetechnsoltbe nextone,
tbe//oa.
Tbe|udeo-Cbtistian-ls|amiclellowman tesdedin tbearticarandtbe
anicersa/ntbedialectizationoltbewo,andwitboutlail, tbisendsintbe
Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/ r z)
univetsal. 8utheretbeneigbbotlylellowisnext wbatiscoming,wbattakes
placeinapptoacbing,wbattoucbesandalsosetsitsellapatt,localizinganddis-
placingtbe toucb /atoache . Neitbetnatutalnotattihcial ,asbeotsbeap
peatedbytutnsuntilnow) , tbenextlellowmanasechnsistbettuecte-
ation and att oloar wotld, moteovet subecting to tevision tbese wotds
cteationandatt, nottomention,ptincipally,tbe next, neigbbotly lel-
lowman. Andsolptelettosaytbattechnsistetechnsolbodiessbatedout,
otoltbeitcoappeatance,tbatis,tbevatiousmodesolgivingtisetotbettac
ingsolatealityalongwhicbaeareexosedtogether-neithrresaosedinsome
otherSa/ect, notososedinsomeartica/arand/oranicersa/end but tatbet
exposed, band inband, bodieslaid out, sbouldettosbouldet, edgetoedge,
c/oserno/ongerhacingacommonassamtion, /aton, ooartracingsartes
extraartes, ahatis /etaeen-as. ,ibid. ,pp. ;o)
believe that in such passages we must nevet dissociate, on the one
hand, what touches upon technics ot the ptosthetic supplement ,and
which iswhat distinguishes in a detetminingwayNancys cotpus ftom
othet, moteotlesscontempotaty, discoutses about contact, thebody
ptopet, ottheHesh)and,ontheothethand,hisinsistenceonsepataton
thatspaces out. Nancyalmostalwayssays, as hedoeshete, touchedand
spacedout-apattness in contact, theoutsideinthe inside ofcontact.
Nancywouldthusshassa/andpattthesenses,andtouching,too.1he
conditionalofthis ptopositiondoes notonlypoint to an intetptetative
hypothesis. itttanslates some conditionalityinthings themselves, the
obligationtoteckonwiththelimitsthataptevailingtendency,hete, the
intentionto think, attest, andtellofsuchashatingout) isall butfotced
toencountetfotteasonsthatatenotcontingent.lotitcanalsohappen,
itcanmoteoveta/aashappen-wehaveto insistonit-thattheintu-
itionistic-continuisticlogicofimmediacyshowsitselftobeasitteptessible
as desite itself, as inttactableas language consttaints, gtammatical vio
lence,andallthatwespokeofasshated-outfaithamomentago,itcanal-
wayshappen,ithasalwaystobeabletohappenthatthepowetofthislaw
tegulatlyallows somesymptomsto ctop up, not onlyhete and thete in
Nancys text, but massivelyelsewhete, as othetquotationshave lately te-
mindedus.
1hispattingandshatingcanbettackedfollowingthettace,andds/sa,
oftheothet,wayofsense) . Suchattace,buthedoesnotsayitlikethis
nothe)wouldsufhcetosubttactsense,thesenses,thesensesofsense,the
expetienceofsenseandoftheshatingoutandpattingofthesenses,ftom
r ) IhisIs-s /hsO/hs
any soveteignty ofsssncs, immediacy, the ptopet and the ptoximate.
Nothing, no ptesencewhatsoevet, withouta detout No logicofsense,
andnotevenalogicoftouch,notevenanulttatactilehaptics,wouldthen
yield, itseemstome, toanontologyofptesence ,ifonestilldatesusethis
pleonasm)
Hencetheneedfotthe/sngds/sastillawaitinguse tutnandgocon-
tinuallyftomdetoutto detout, ftomone tutn towatdothet tutns and
twistsoftouch ,touchingi/ss{andssqssa/ing-bbisnolonget
sayabe,aslhavelatelyindicated inn z} ) .
, No doubt, avetylongdetout sbould be made bete. Wbat oltbe sbating
artage oltbesenses. . . CantbeybeleltDotbeyleeltbattbeycan'tbe
lstbeteaputityoleacbsense,otwouldtbetebenovisionwitboutattaceol
toucb,notoucbwitboutattaceoltaste,andsoon-lstbetealanguagewitb-
outattaceoloneottbe otbet 8ut tben bowatetbesensessbatedwitbte-
gatdto att Howcould onelailtoobsetvetbattbetbteesensesdevoidolatt
ptopet-touch,smell, andtaste-atealsomostptopetlytbesensesolsen-
sual love adoubleobsetvationtbatlamtemptedtocomplicate,butitdoes
notmattetbete. . . |.D. -Andtbewidemoutb,tedandwbite, soclose
to tbenosttils,isitnotptecisely,tbeitlocusintbepoem. . . )
Laugbtet butsts attbemultiplelimitoltbesensesandollanguage,uncet
tainoltbesensetowbicbitisoetedtotbesigbtol colot,totbetoucboltbe
moutb, to tbebeatingoltbe butst, and to tbe sensewitboutmeaningolits
ownvoice. Laugbtetistbe oyoltbesenses,andolsense,attbeitlimit. ln tbis
oy, tbesensestoucbeacb otbetandtoucblanguage,tbetongueintbemoutb.
8uttbistoucbitsellputsspacebetweentbem.Tbeydo notpenettateonean-
otbet,tbeteisnoatt, stilllessatotalatt. 8utneitbetistbetelaugbtet,as
asublimettutbwitbdtawnltomattitselTbeteateonlypealsollaugbtet .
. . tbe commonamongmen andwbat is common to men, wbat tbey
sbateaboveallelse-andinwbicbtbeyatesbatedoutisbeingintbewotld
bywayoltbedilletenceoltbesenses, tbedilletencesolsense. 8eingintbe
wotldbysttokes, bybutsts,bysbakesoltbytbmanddispetsionoltbymes,by
abatsbdanceandtbedelicaciesollava-byacettaindeatb,aninconceivable
stat,andtbeloosegtaceolagitlsbakingwitblaugbtet.
lsyche'sOthet pethaps
Theonewhosemoutninghas tobewotn, byeithetoneandboth. ln
oneselfanditsel
A//hissin/, m discsassaasshainga /adandss/hinga/sad
had/s/ss/a/sdsssm/hs/sginning Iss///sssin/hs /sng
s/sa"Ansn/ssscsn/s/smsI'sha/a/snasing/ss/s,andhs
a/sadanningahsadsms, nsssa/s/sa/h, /sachingands/saching
his/sx/, /axingm /s/a/sdnsssinaancs vha/ahsa/Bs//s/hanmins
Ima///hssndszsas, /a/a/Ishasai/hhimis/hs a/i/a/isns
anachsnism. IachinghimHsais sns/s /sachhim,s/i/Andhsais
snsns//s/sach-/hs/a/hAndhsaissns/s/sach-snsans/hs
sass/ssOnsand/hss/hsa//hssams/ims
Ihsnscsssi/s/s/ingas/shaing/sdsai/h/hisac/and/his
ac/isn, /hscsms/ingags/ss/sndsnsissinga//s, and
csns/an//s/sginssagain,s/smsnsdsa// sm/hisimsssi//sa/iancs
scsn/ac/and/hssncss. Ihsassnd/hsscsssinsima//ansi/ /a/
/hsa/ssin/sa//hssnchsnsmissd/ a/sach, / /hsac/sa
ss/saching"ahich,/i/s/hsimagina/isn, can sns/i/ss{/s/ing
i/ssansas/sssnsss."(masinghisasds, again)
Ihssasssas/sssnsss, /hssssi/i/i/s/hsimsssi//s.
SsI/sganagain, andIa/sad/nsa/ha/Isha/scssdhsssn/ a
ssisss/angsn/s. vi/i//snscsssa/s/s//hsahs/shis/sshi/sssh
andasndacsndingss/sci/Can'/asai/san/hingai/hsa/as/s
ai/hsa/as/i ss/ing/sa//sin/hsnamss/hshis/sshi/sssh
A/angsn//sachssa/ins sasacs/a/ai/hsa/csssingi/, ai/hsa/a
asin/sssc/isn, /hasina/indsims/insn/s/insncs.I//sachsssn
snssin/, /a/asin/isns/hing, /ha/is, a/imi/ai/hsa/ds/hssacs,
an/sacha//sssn/ aasagas Sassssnsass/ssach/hss, aha/
asa/dgissns/hsigh//s /sachi/
M ims/insncsai//sm/ac/.A/ssmaasgsingssna/angsn/,
ss /sssa/, ss as /s s/adsahi/s/ainga/i//s, /i/sssmssnss/a/ing
Hsaissns/sasidan imsssi//s/as/, ns//sacqai/snsss{s/ss hsaa
ds//Iasa/d/i/s/s/hin//ha//hss/ss/hs/asqascsmssi/isn, and
/hs aan/sd/as/sds/iisasssisn,isa-ca/a/a/sd/a/sm/aasssd,
/ands/asis-sssnss/s /hsasiass/ac/
Ihsscsdinga/sadhadsna/angsn/ia/s/a/isn/s /hsas/and/hs
csassNanc Ba/I///hsnssd-/hsda/ in/a/h-/sdaaassiss
ss/hs/angsn/s.

P / H J l |
xem/ar, Stortes o] t|e I/es|"

+an_cnt !
Hcnd c Mcn, Hcnd c Ccd
Nothing to teach|eanLuc Nancy, of coutse, and nothing to make
knownto him. Howcouldl ptetendtogive,andgiveto thinkanything,
to oneofthose thinkets inwhose ptoximityitis always bettetto hold
one'stongueandlendaneat:lwanted,withouttellinghimanything,at
leastto/oachhim.utnotwithouttact,ftomatespectfuldistance.
And, ifitwasstillnecessatytotellhimsomething, thatitbeasottof
sectet. somethingconhdedotconfessedthat,withoutteachinghimany-
thing, without btinging anything to his awateness, especially not the
ttuth,wouldhavehadaseffectto/oachhim.
utwithtact.1o touch himwithoutmovinghim.
1o impattto him, asitwete-butwithoutsayingotannouncing to
himanythingthatobtains. 1o impatttohim-allbutnothing.Aques-
tionoftact.1oa/a/sandshatewithhim,as hewouldsay, inthisim-
pattedannouncement, insomethingthattoucheshim. Withoutbothet-
inghim,withoutimpottuninghimwithmydemonsttationsofadmiting
ftiendship,almostimpetceptibly, intangibly.
l sensebutl still do notknow what touch, to touchhim /s/oachs}
means-lknowit lessandless.Ofcoutse,l cannotimpattthis-touch
inghim-andmake itknownto him andshate it,exceptby touching
touch,andthetefotebytouchinguponthequestionotthepleaoftouch,
whichthemselvesoughttotouchs/insn/onthetheme,thatis,onthe
ssnssoftouch. Howisonetotouch,withouttouching,thessnssoftouch:
Shouldn'tthesenseoftouchtouchus,fotsomethingtocomsa/oa/atlast
-anevent,assomesay, alittletitesomely,asin/assn/, ) , /sany
constativestatement, anypetfotmativemastetingactotconvention,be
1}
'
xsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
foteanyevent thatwewouldstillptoducebywayofanactoflanguage
andonthebackgtoundofafoteseeablehotizon,ssn/swe touchit,
otpethaps, ifitdoesnotanticipatenthisfashion,thena//hssams/ims
atwhichwetouchit, asifthe ideaitselfofsimultaneity, evencontinuity,
wete botn fot the htst time in contact with the contact between two
pointsofcontact1angentially:
Shsa/dsnshas/sachingpowet,totouchhim) : Ot/aagh touching, as
hewould,pethaps,alsosay:
,As fot me, l 'd lean towatd saying weep touching. to weep, to cty
,fot)itutlsensethatitcomesdowntothesamethingWe agteewhen
itcomestosheddingteatsoflaughtet,fotthistouch, thispootdeat
dissociated,spacedout,sevetedftomitself,inawotd)
ltomnowon,'llletthisfotmula oatbetweenitstwosenses,especially
atoundthevalueofenablingsas,possibility,faculty,soveteignty) ,which
heteandelsewheteisnotlessptoblematicthanthevalueoftouch. tohave
/hssastotouchhim,tobecapableoftouchinghim,andtohavetouch-
ingpowet,thecaa/i/i/fottouch,s/sn/qtobewiththissingulatsense
thatiscalledtouch.Ps/sn/_snaissancs} ,inthedoublesenseofthefotceof
powet,thatis,fteely,soveteignly)andoftheindehnitelytesetvedvittuality,
in tetteat, ofdanamis. l' llleavethisindecisionopenbecausewhatlwould
liketo attain-him, ifyoulike-is this possibility, touching ,it) , all the
while meditatingwith him, simultaneously, onwhat touching, touching-
powet,isotwhatitdoesto,tell)thettuth
Wouldthetebesynchtonanideaofsynchtonandingenetalsomen,
thetefoteavetyideaofptesence,ptesentation,andtheauto-ptesentationof
ptesence, ifwe csans//sachi/, asass ns/caa//ss/hiss/hing,
/sachingi/)`Hesaidinthepassagecitedeatliet. to ptesentistomakesen
sible,andsensibilityequalsthetouchingofthelimit,touchingthelimit,at
thelimit 'Whatdoesthismean:
1ouchingpowet. pouvoit/s touchetLs/sachs.totouch totouch
it,him) .tobecapableofit,tohavethepotentialotpowetNotsimplyto
touchthisotthat,fotexamplehim ,/s* petsonalptonounanswetingthe
question who, while waiting fot the ptopet name-hete, |ean-Luc
Nancy) ,buttobecapableofthatvetything,thiscommonthingtetmed
/stouchet,thatis,touching,touch,anounpteceded,inltench) by
thedehniteatticle,/stouchet-nolongetwho, thistime, butwhat,
nolongetthepetsonalptonounbutthedehniteatticle1o becapableof
Ingsn/I ) /
touch,thussimultaneouslyof thatcontactwithoutwhich,hypothetically,
the ideaitselfofthe sima/wouldneverhave beenbornin us, /s/assn as.
,l amdreamingofademonstration thatwouldtranslatein this fashion
theerkeleyan logic-oh, marvelous erkeley, theindisputableone
therewhere itlinkstheprivilegeoftouch, letussaytheprivilegeofthe
hapticalwith regard totheoptical, to thegroundinginGod,inthelan-
guagethatGodspeakstous,ofthelanguageamongusandoftheinstitu-
tionofsignsandknowledge,ofeverythingthatresistsdoubtandmakesof
idealismsomethingotherthanaskepticism.Hereonewouldhavetocon-
vokeonceagainthewholetheoryofthosebornblindandoperatedonin
theseventeenth century, theirobsetversandtheirphilosophers.William
CheseldenandWilliamMolyneuxandDiderot, andsomanyothers. e-
tweenlranceandEngland,alongerdetourstill. loroneofthethesesor
hypotheses ofthis book ,for laughs, ofcourse) isthatsomething took
place-anai, aplot, asortofconspiracy, aphilosophical intrigueof
touch,inEurope,alongcertainboundaries ,morehguresoftouch) andat
the borders oflrance, between lranceand England, to which l j ustal-
luded,andbetweenlranceandGermany-withKantandHusserlonone
side,andMainedeiran,Ravaisson,ergson,Merleaulonty,andDeleuze
ontheother-to mentionthedeadonesonlyandeaveroomforallthe
bordercrossingsthroughcustoms,forconvergences,coincidences, chias-
muses,andlongdetours. Dej ure,thequestionoftouchfullybelongsto
thehistoryofthebody, ofcourse, andmybody, as lhavesaidandwill
sayitagain, tothelegacyofHocestenimcorpusmeum, toallthecul-
turesofthebody,butalsoandindissociably,tothehistoryofEuropemak-
ing itself, which isto say, perhaps,havingit outwith its Christianity. )
uthowcanonestillsayanythingthatdoes notinadvancegetsur-
rounded,invested,preoccupied,inallthehistoricalplacesofthesehgures
oftouch,intheir rhetoricalcircle,in theirlogical orhermeneuticaltwirl-
ingaround:
lndeed, this question-one, singular, acute-belongsto an immense
family,resemblances,commontraits,geneticvariationsandmutations,
elementarylawsofkinship) .eryold,evenarchaic,sinceithasgivenrise
overtwentyhvecenturiestoanimmensephilosophicalliteraturethatwe
cantevenskimhere.
No doubt, we remember him saying, a very long detourshould be
[ |
|
xsmS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
madehete. ln otdettotespondtohis invitation,oteveninj unction,his
question, pethaps ,avetylongdetoutshouldbemadehete.Whatofthe
shatingofthesenses:) ,l shall metelytimidly, gtopingly-sketch the
ellipsis ofsuch a detout. Along matgins, matches, and boundaties, it
would beabtiefandtangentialexcutsion,whichthemodetnityofthis
Eutopean question oftouch makes in the histoty ofphilosophy-a
samplet,involvingthehandbetweenltanceandGetmany.Thehand. it
won'tbemote than a sample, mote otless well sewn, following, like a
guidingthtead,thecontoutofthehandandespeciallyofthehnget. ltwill
only be aquestion oftecognizingwhat this contout, tout, and tutn
,thelineat dtawingofthis tunningbotdetandthehguteofthis ttope)
commands,delimits,andcitcumsctibes,andyetalso,pethaps,whatthese
samesttokes letslip away and thusvittuallywhat this medium, this
contoutofmodetn thinking-evenwhenheisn'tnamedotcitedin
it-couldhelpustodetetmineinNancy'swotk,inthevetyplaceswhete
thelattetexceedsotdisplacesthatthinking.
-Andinanasideyoutellyoutself.whatafunny,admiting,andgtate-
fulsalutationyou'teaddtessingtohim, toean-LucNancy.Whatapeculiat
wayto ptetendyou'tetouchinghimwhileactingasyouwantedagain
toputhislexiconabouttouchatthesetviceofattadition,otwotse,ahlia-
tionitselOt, asifyoutemindedusthatthislexiconanditsusageshould
always alteadyhave been telated toagelesslywell-wotn otevenusutious
ways,evenifwelikethat-touching-anew,ptecisely,whenit'simpossible-
ptohibitedandweevenlovetocallthisloving-abstaining.Whatanny
ptesent,indeedWhatanohetingAltogethetasifatthemomentofcalling
othetssothattheywillbecomeecstaticbefotethisgteatwotkandthisim-
mensephilosophictteatiseoftouch,youwhispetedinhiseat.Now,ean-
Luc, that'squite enough, givethis wotd back, it's ptohibited, you heat.
Leaveittotheancestots,don'tmakeanycomptomiseswithit,don'tletthis
msga/siascontaminateyou,andonceandfotallstopusingthisinctedi-
blevocabulaty,thisconceptnothingcanteallyvouchfot,thesehguteswith-
outhguteandthetefotewithoutctedit.Don'tkeepptetending,astheydo,
don'tmake believe, stop actingas ifyouwanted to make us believethat
theteis somethingonecouldcalltouch, an undetstoodthingitselfabout
whichwecouldptetendtoagtee,andsaysomethingnew,inthevetyplace
whete,intouchingupontheuntouchable,thisthingtemainsuntouchable.
Touchishnitude.letiod.Stopatthispoint.Haven'tyouyoutselfsaidthete
Iangsn/I r
) )
i s nothe'senseoftouch:nowingyou,l don'tthinkthisobjectionwill
stopyou,ltellmysel
-Notyou. Wouldyouliketo touchhim, asyousay, inthewaythe
pointofabuttonedtiptouches, dutingafencingduel:Aso,Ameticans
say/sach, inltench,withafunnyaccent,whenapointisscoted.
-Ontheconttaty,hetewhatmattetsmostofalltomeishissingulat-
ity, hisplutalsingulatbeing, evenwhenlspeakoftheothetstotheoth-
ets.lt'sthisabsolutesingulatityofhissignatutethatlexettmyselfintty-
ingtoattain.
-ouexettyoutself:Whatdoesthatmean:
Letusstattagainftomwhatwenicknamedeatliet,thatis,theeffottof
ca/sxs/isn /'csmsn/ .We wondetedwhatthisnecessatilyhnite
expetienceof c/sxs/isnmaysigni. lotce,ofcoutse ,and eventhe
mystetiousone-i/as, danamis-bat|esus,aswe tecall, tecognizesin
himselfwhen someonetouches him) , but also exettingoneself, in its
selftelation.1hisself-telationinstitutesitselfandisbotntoitselfasexet-
tion atthemomentwhenalimitcomes to insist,to ssis/, tooppose ,it-
self) totheeffottthatthislimitlitetallyds/sminss.lchosethewotdex-
ettion csmsn/becauseitbespeakstheeffottaswellasthelimitnext
towhichthetendency, thetension,theintensityofah nitefotcestops,it-
self) ,exhaustsitseltettactsottetteatsftomitsendbacktowatditself.at
themoment, theinstant,whenthefotceoftheeffotttouchesuponthis
limit. ,lspokeeatlietofthes/sc/ii/of being,s)detetminednotonlyas
thatwhichissxsssd/sthe gaze,butthatwhichsssssassis/ancs
totouch.1hehand ,beingbefote-thehandot at-hand ssasmain} , ot
thatwhichmeetsatesistancetomanipulation)mightwellteconcile,con-
join, andadj ointhesetwossi/isna/valuesoftheobjectivityoftheob-
ject.)Evetythinkingofeffottcomptisesatleastaphenomenologyofh ni-
tude,evenif, inthecaseofMainedeitanandespeciallyRavaisson,this
thinkingaccommodatestheinhnite,willotputeactivity,gtace,spititual
fteedom)againstthebackgtoundofwhichahniteeffottissetof utan
effottalwayssignsah nitude.
ltisthetepethaps that touchingisnotasense, at leastnotonesense
amongothets.Ah nitelivingbeingcanliveandsutvivewithoutanyothet
senseandthisoccutswithahostofanimalsthathavenovision,itispos-
sibletobesensitivetolightwithoutseeing) , noheating,itispossibleto
besensitivetosoundwaveswithoutheating) ,notasteotsenseofsmell
r| xsm/a S/sisss/hs F/ssh"
answeting the physical ot physio|ogical modih cations of which these
sensesatetheusualeffects.utnolivingbeinginthewotldcansutvive
fotaninstantwithouttouching, which is tosaywithoutbeingtouched.
Notnecessati|ybysomeothetlivingbeingbutbysomething* x.We can
livewithoutseeing, heating, tasting, andsme|ling,sensing,inthevisual,
auditoty, gustatoty, andolfactotysenses) , butwecannotsutvive onein-
stantwithoutbeingwithcontact,andincontact.Atistotlesaidthisvety
well,ascitedeatliet.1hatiswhete,fotah nitelivingbeing,befoteandbe-
yondanyconceptofsensibility, touchingmeansbeinginthewotld.
1heteisnowotldwithouttouching,andthuswithoutwhatwej usttetmed
fotcefulexettion.
1hati show temptedtointetptettheptivilegethatMainedeitan
simultaneouslyaccotds to effott ,fotce limit) , to tactility, but to the
handaswell,theotganoftouch, inamoteptoblematicmodethistime.
Hetiestogethetwhatthesesigniinanotiginalfashion,evenifhisdis-
coutsefotmspattofanimmensecontempotatydebate,thefamousques-
tion, taisedbyMolyneux, Locke, etkeley, Condillac, uffon, Didetot,
oltaite,theIds/sgassacitc|ethatinadditiontoCabanisandDestuttde
1tacy included Ginguen, Daunou, ando|ney , Chatles onnet, and
atthez, amongothets, concetningtheptoblemsofthosewhoatebotn
blind) ,whichwon'tbeteconsttuctedheteSomeCattesiansoutcesofthe
same atgumentgo back mote specihcallytothelitstDiscoutseinDes-
cattes'sDis/ics, inwhichhecompatesthestickoftheblindtotheot-
ganofsomesixthsensegiventotheminplaceofsight.AGetmanstteak
alteadycomestoblendwiththeltenchotAnglo-ltenchmediumofthis
ttadition.nhisMmsissahdcsmssi/isnds/asnss,Mainedeitan
citesSche|lingandlichte,following|osephMatiedeGtando.
OnecouldsaythatthenttoductiontoMainedeitan'sIhsInasncs
sHa/i/sn /hsFaca// s Ihin/ing begins with touching. While pto-
posingtouniteideologywithphysiology,itanptetendsthatheisfollow-
ingaphysicist's examplebynotconcetninghimselfwithessencesothtst
causes,butonlywitheffects andphenomena, andtheittelationand
succession,leavingbehindone,andundettheveilthatcovetsthem,htst
causeswhichshouldnevetbecomefotmanobjectsof/nsa/sdgs. Andhe
adds.Weknownothingofthenatuteof css.
Weknowonlytheitehects, andfotthatvetyteasonitispointlessto
seekoutwhatthesoulisandhowitcanbeunitedwiththebody.lhysi-
calsciencedoesnotconcetnitselfwithessences-whyshouldmetaphysics:
Iangsn/
lt is outintimate sense that must lead us and not the falseglimmet of
imaginationotabsttactmethods.
1o besute,iti salimitedanalogy,butitiscettanlyanalogoustoaKant-
ianotHussetlian gestute. Onestattswithateceivedimptession,otsensa-
tion,awotdheldtobesynonymouswithithete. ptimatyfacultyofthe
otganiclivingbeing _/'c/ssganisian/ .Eachofthesewotdscounts
otiginatity, thelifeoftheliving,otganicototganizedfaculty,aswellasot-
gan) . Now, ifimptessionsatedividedintoactiveandpassive, mototand
sensitive,iftheactivityanddistinctionofthesgsimmediatelyconnectwith
motot activity, then, ftomaphenomenalotphenomenologicalpointof
view,thetwotypesofimptessioncannotbedisentangled.Andthiswould
hinge on the natute ofout otganization, eithet necessatilyotcontin-
gently, but inanycasestattingftomac/withwhichonemustbegin.
suchistheditectcottespondence, theintimateconnectionwhichexists
between thetwofacultiesoffeelingandmoving,thattheteisalmost no
imptessionwhichdoesnottesultftomtheitmutualco-opetationandwhich
isnotconsequentlyactiveinonesituationandpassiveinanothet ,Maine
deitan,nasncssHa/i/,p.

) .
1hewotdalmoststandsout,almostnoimptession) . Althoughi t is
difhculttohtanexampleinthiscategotyoftheexceptional,thatis,pute
activityotputepassivity) , itiscleatthatitantequitesthispossibilityin
otdettoptesetvetheopetatingpowetoftheconceptualoppositionandto
distinguishthesdsmina/ingelementineachcase.1hislogicofptedom-
inancemakesitpossibleat oncetolift otsoftentheputeconceptualop-
position ,between activityandpassivity-which Condillacwouldhave
tecognized,butthathelatetfotgotsothatheconfused things)andto
inttoduceaxiomaticsoffotceandehott, notfotceas causeinitselfbut
fotceinitsphenomenal c/s.Whatwillbecalledsensation isthemss/
passiveimptession,whetefeelingsdsmina/ssuptoacettainpoint my
emphasis-|. D. andwhetethe movementwhichoccutswith itisas
nothing . asnothing, andnotnothing) andwhatwillbetetmedpet-
ceptionistheimptessionwhetemovement/a/ss/hsashand_snd
/sdsssas ,myemphasis-|. D. ) . Thetefote, theteisalwaysaa/ofac-
tivityandaa/ofpassivity, thoughnowtheonetakes the uppethand,
nowtheothetptedominates.Diffetentialoffotceothegemony.Mainede
itanthenptoposes toexaminetheotganizationofthesetwopatts, feel-
ingandmovement, intheexetciseofeachofoutsenses, andhebegins
withtheotganoftouch _/'sgansda/ac/} .
|

|z xsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
Why:ndeed,theanswetisnotgivenatthebeginningbutonlytowatd
the end of the coutse, when it becomes necessaty to tacke the othet
senses,andwhen,attheendoftheanalysisoftactility, theteisptaisefot
thesenseoftouch,whichcombinesthetwofaculties passiveandactive,
sensotyandmotot inthe mostexactptopottion. ,Mainedeitan also
likes thewotd exact, thoughwe maywondet hetewhatan exactpto-
pottionmightbe,themostexact, betweenpassiveandactive,andwhete
one might hndits ctitetionand its measute.) Mainede itan does not
conttadictthosewhocontentthemselveswitha compatison, thosefot
whom itis customatyto compatethediffetentsenseimptessionswith
those oftouch ptopet. Without objecting to it, he telates this heatsay
dsxa ,itis said) which tutns touch into thegenus ofwhichtheothet
senseswouldonlybethekind,thespecies.alloutssnsa/isns,itissaid,ate
onlyakind of/sach.1hat isvetyttue. And this compatatism otanalo-
gismbanksonalogicofinclusion. Alloutsensationsatecompatableto
touchtheyateas,teyate/i/sspeciesofit, because touchisthegenusof
whichtheothetsensesatethespecies.
utaftetMainedeitanhasthusassentedtoteceivedopinion,heven-
tutes fatthet out and ptaises touch and its incompatable excellence. lf
touchcannotbepatalleledbyanyothetsenseotgans, itisalsoftomthe
pointof viewofactivity,andthetefotemototactivity.1heothetsenseswill
cottespondtotouchonlyinaccotdancewiththeitms/i/i/,whichiswhat
willmakethemagsswiththemototactivitythatisapptoptiatetotouch,
whatwillcssssndtootcometoan andss/andingandcoopetatewith
touch s'entendtaasc/s /sachs} . Mototactivityisthetefotethespecih c
diffetence,ifnottheessence,oftouch-whence,wellgettothis)acettain
ptivilegefotthehand.1heanalogybetweentheothetsenses ontheone
handandtouchontheothetwilldependontheptopottionofmovement
,mototactivity, mobility) foundinthem.utonlytouchcomptisesamo-
totactivitythatisptopetlyitsown-andhencetutnsitintosomething
mote, somethingothetthansimplyasense, moteandothetthansimply
thelocusofapassivesensation.
Alloutsensations,itissaid,ateonlyakindoltoucb.Tbatisvetyttueilone
tbinksonlyolbeitsensotyotpassivelunction, butwitbtespecttoactivity
andmovement,nootbetsenseotgansatesimilat_nesaorte/eara//e .Only
inptopottiontotbeitmo/i/itatetbeymoteotlesscapableolcottesponding
tootolcoopetating s'entendre witbtoucb,olptohtingbyitswatningsand
Iangsn/I |

olassociatingtbeitimptessions witb it. Wesballmake tbs eat in atapid

analysisoltbesenses. ,ibid. , p. 6t)
Thelogicofthisatgumentistematkable-andpatadoxical.Thespace
allocated to mobility, motility, otmototactivitydesetvesa pause. To a
latge extent this motifwas alteadyptesentinDestuttdeTtacy, whowas
moteovetthe as/saofMainede itan'sMmsison thesubj ectof
habitanswetingaptogtammaticquestionfotmulatedinChatlesonnet's
Pschs/sgisWhatatealltheopetationsofthesoulifnotmovementsand
ss/i/isnsofmovements:,Mainedeitan,In asncssHa/i/,p.|i) . ' To
acettainextentatleast, thisquestionconditionsboth thecontentsand
thefotmoftheMmsis.
efotetetutningtothis,andtoanticipateamotepatientlookatMetleau-
lonty, thismaybethetightplacefotahistoticaldigtession.Metleau-lonty
devotedat least one seties oflectutes toMainede itan ,alluded toalit-
tleeatliet) . ltwasinr)|/|, thatis, twoyeatsaftetthe publication of
Metleau-lonty'sPhsnsmsns/sgysPscs/isn.Thebooknevettefetstothe
authotofthetwoMmsisssa/a/i/ads, ' itseemstome. lnfact,these
Mmsiss ate not studied inthelectutesofr)|/|, whichinsteaddeal
withMainedeitan'sMmsissa/adsmssi/isnds/asnss,theCsm-
msn/aissa/ssMdi/a/isnsmahsiqass,andtheEssaisa/ssndsmsn/s
ds/aschs/sgis. lutthetmote, itisonthesubjectofthelattetEssaithat
Metleau-lontyteectstheitaniannotionofeffottandshowsthewhole
teachofthisphilosophyofmototactivity-thestyleandchatactetofhis
thetoticshatpenthingsupalittle, sotospeak.
We atequicktosaymototsubjectottbinkingsubject, asiltbeywetetetms
olanaltetnative.8itandidnotteduceconsciousnesstomotilitybutbeiden-
tih edmotilityandconsciousness.Tbeptimitivelactisconsciousnessolanit-
teducibletelationsbipbetweentwotetmsitteducibletbemselves. ltisnota
consciousness becoming movement, but a consciousness tevetbetating i n
movements. lti s neitbetanintetiotlactnotanextetiotlact. itis tbe con-
sciousnessolsellastelationsbipoltbeltoanotbettetm.
efotehand,howevet, althoughMainedeitanisnotyetcitedinPhs-
nsmsns/sgysPscs/isn and themajottefetencesin itatealtogethetdif-
fetent, Metleau-lonty's analyses alteadybestowa ole thatisj ustas deci
siveonmototactivity,notmalotpathological) .To wit,thisisthecase, in
|| Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs /ssh''
thechaptetTheSpatialityofOne'sOwn odyandMotility, withthe
pagesdedicatedto dehciencies ofunsoundotpathological touchingot
potential _i/as/} touch, aswellas, inthechaptetSenseExpetience,
withthemototsignihcanceofcoloutsandmototphysiognomyofall
sensations, andevenofthissynaestheticpetceptionthatisthetule, of
this intetsensotyobject, ofthe intetsensoty unityofthe thing that
makesupthemostcontinuousthemeofthisbookandseemsinsepatable
ftomtheconceptofwotld,beinginthewotld,otj ustbeing-aconcept
otganizingthis phenomenologyofpetception ,see Metleau-lonty, Phs-
nsmsns/sgsPscs/isn,pp. z, z
))
,etpassim) .
Alittleeatliet,inthepassage citedj ustbelow,ssnsa/isnptesentsitselfas
csmmanisn.Letushete notethe tetutnofthe haptical hgute ofcontact,
ptimotdialcontact,tospeakoftheexpetience-noless-ofbeingandthe
wotld.Thelogicofthese phtases tuns thtoughoutthebook, oneoften
comesactoss thelitetalmatktheyleave.
Lvetyseusatiouisspatial,webaveadoptedtbistbesis, uotbecausetbequality
asd obectcauuotbetbougbtotbetwisetbauiuspace,butbecause,astberi-
mordia/contactaith/einastbeassamtionrerise bytbeseutieutsubectol
alotmolexisteucetowbicb tbeseusiblepoiuts,aud as tbeco-existencesen-
tientandsensi//e, itisitsellcoustitutiveolasettiuglotcoexisteuce, iu otbet
wotds,olaspace. . . tbisassamtionrerise} impliesalsotbatlcauateacbmo
meutabsotbmysella/mostwbollyiutotbeseuseoltoucbotsigbt. . . tbeuuity
audtbedivetsityoltbeseusesatettutbsoltbesameotdet . . . . itisarioriim-
possibletotoucbwitbouttoucbiuginspace,siuceoutexpetieuceistbeexeri-
enceaaor ,ibid. , p.22I)
|
Ands othesehtmdeclatationsaboutptimotdialcontactwithbeing,
thisbeliefinco-existenceofsentientandsensibleateonapatwithaphi-
losophyofimmsdia/scsincidsncsthatwillbetelayedlatet-unstoppably,
continually,withoutdenialotadmittedconttadiction-byanincteasingly
insistent discoutse aboutall the phenomenaofnoncoincidenceoteven
noncontactwiththeuntouchable.We could situate one ofthe places of
thettansitionalttansaction-stillftomthepointofview,ifwemaysayso,
oftactilityanditshgutes-fotexampleintheconfetenceaboutetgson
,May
)
) publishedinSignsandtitled etgsonintheMaking lnit,
Metleau-lontygoeswithinonepageftomcoincidenceofabsolutecontact
topattialcoincidenceandnevetthelesscomesbacktocsincidsncswitha
non-coincidence. This movement is all the mote signihcant because
Metleau-lontywillhaveonceagainclaimedhisownteadet'sptefetences
Ingsn/I r |

andpattialities, otientingtheteadingofetgsonnotonlytowatdaphe-
nomenology-completewithteductionandsofotth-butalsotowatd
his ownphenomenologicalbent.
Nowwecanbeatwitnesstotbevitalityolbiswotksonlybysayingbowbe
8etgsonisptesentinoutown,sbowingtbepagesolbiswotksinwbicb,like
bislistenetsnIOO, wewitboutownrrencesandartia/itiestbinkwepet-
ceivebimincontactwitbtbings .
. . . lotiltbisi s wbattimei s , iti s notbingtbatl seeltomwitbout. . . . So
timeismyselllamtbedutationlgtasp,andtimeisdutationgtaspedinme.
Andltomnowonweateattbeabsolute.Asttangeabsoluteknowledge,since
weknowneitbetalloutmemotiesnoteventbewboletbicknessoloutptes
ent, andsincemycontactwitbmysellis artia/coincidence ,to useatetm
onenusedby8etgsonwbicb,to telltbettutb,isaptoblematicone) . lnany
case,wbenmysellisatissuetbecontactisa/so/ate/ecaaseitispattial.lknow
mydutationasnooneelsedoesbecauselamcaugbtupinitbecauseitovet-
owsme,lbaveanexpetienceolitwbicbcouldnotbemorenarroaorose
conceivedoH/so/ateknoa/edge is notdetacbmentit is inbetence. . . .
Sinceitisanon-coincidenceIcoincideaithbete,expetienceissusceptibleto
beingextendedbeyondtbepatticulatbeinglam. Mypetception /ntaition
olmydutationisanapptentcesbpinagenetalwayolseeing. ltistheptinci
pleolasottol8etgsonianteduction. . . .
. . . lntuitionisdehnitelynotsimcoincidenceor sionanymote.ltisex-
tendedtolimits
_
. . .
I
Andsincewehavealteadypaids omuchattentiont othecsasofHoc
estcotpus meum, andtotheChtistianbodyandtheEuchatist, andto
itonythatthinks,ttoubledandttoublinginthehandsofNancy, letusdo
nomotethansituateheteacettainconnectionbetweenMetleau-lontys
thinkingofmototactivityand the LastSuppet. Histoneandintentionate
quitedihetentftomNancy's.1hepassagecanbefoundinthehtstpagesof
thechaptetonSenseExpetienceinPhsnsmsns/sgPscs/isn.Meleau-
lontyhasj ustinsisted-notablyonthesubjectofthepetceptionofcolots
-on mototphysiognomy, mototteactions, mototsignihcance, and
theamplih cationofoutmototbeing. Hete,now,istheanalogy, thej ust
. .inthesameway,temindingusofmotethanonemybody,amy
bodythatlwhollysuttendet _s/is} inthisway.
lntbesamewaylgiveeat,otlook,intbeexpectationolasensation,andsud-
denlytbe sensible takes possession olmyeatotmygaze, andlsarrender_e
cre apattolmybody,evenm, aho/e/od,, to tbispatticulatmannetolvi
Exsm/a,S/sisss/hsF/ssh'
btatingandhllingspaceknownas blueotted.}astastbesactamentnotonly
symbolizes,insensiblespecies,anopetationolGtace,butisalsotbetealptes-
enceolGod wbicbitcausestooccupyaltagmentolspaceandcommuni
catesto tbosewboeatoltbe consectatedbtead,ptovidedtbattbeyatein-
watdlyptepatedinthesameaa, tbesensiblebasnotonlyamototandvital
signihcancebutisnotbingotbettbanacettainwayolbeingintbewotldsug-
gestedtousltomsomepointinspace,andseizedandacteduponbyoutbody
_qaenotrecorsteptendetassame , ptovidedtbatitiscapableoldoingsoso
tbatsensationis/itera/alotmolcommunion.,MetleaulontyPhenomeno/-
ogoPercetion p. ziz)
ltisHussetltowhomMetleau-lontythentefets,oftenasanauthotity.
utacettainitanianttaditionis notincompatiblewiththisthinkingof
mototintentionalityasathinkingofpowet, offotceineffott,andofan
egothattelatestoitselfintheexpetienceofthe!can ,theusualtetmin
Hussetl'sunpublishedwtitings) . 1heseelucidationsenableuscleatlyto
undetstandmotilityasbasicintentionality. Consciousnessisinthe htst
placenotamattetofl thinkthat butof` ! can' ,Metleau-lonty, Phs-
nsmsns/sgsPscs/isn,p. r
)/
) .
eteendsthisanticipatotydigtession.Alatetchaptetdealswithtouch
accotdingtoMetleau-lonty. 1hismotifofmototactivityheteallowsus
tocomebacktoMainedeitan-whom,inttuth,wehadnotteallyleft.
ethis analysis oftouch,Mainedeitanannounces,then,thatheis
goingtodealwiththeothet senses, saying. Weshallmakethiscleatina
tapid analysis ofthesenses ,InasncssHa/i/, p. r) .
1he analysisoftheothetsenseswill thus be tapid. Amongessential
ttaits,itwillselectwhattelatestotouch, /, aa,sanana/sg, thatis,in
accotdancewithmssmsn/,ptopottionallytomobilityotmototactivity.
Now touchisalsoafundamentalsgan and thetebynotasenseptopetly
speaking,otinanycase,itiswhatitisptopetly-thatis,distinctandsu-
petiot-onlythetewhete motot activity, init, exceeds pute sensation,
namely, thesensotyotpassivefunction. 1ouchisnodoubtthehighest
ofthesenses,thehtst,theincsmaa//smodel.atmostonecanonlycsm-
assomethingelseto it. utthisptimotdialexcellencehas to dowith
whatmakesitintosomethingothetthanasense,othetthananotganof
pute,passivesensation. 1hissensettanscendstheothets, italsogtounds
them,itmakesthempossible,buttotheextentthatitisnotquiteasense
Iangsn/I i |/
anylonget. nalanguagethat,fotgoodteasons)isnotMainedeitan's,
one couldacknowledge its/anscsndsn/a/status-allthemotesosinceit
ishtst evaluated undettheangleofknowledge andthetelationtoanob-
j ect.ltisonly,thetefote,asamotototgan specihcityoftactilitytouch
| . D. thattouch_/s/ac/} conttibutesessentiallytoputtingtheindividual
incommunicationwithextetnalnatute, itisbecauseitcombinesthetwo
facultiesin the mostexactptopottionthatit issusceptibleofsuchnice,
suchdetailed,suchpetsistant_sic} imptessions,inshott,itisinvittueof
thisthatitopensafeedinggtoundfotintellectandfutnishesitwithits
motesubstantialnoutishment,ibid. , p. 6i) .
1he sensibilityofsight i s nodoubt the most delicate buti t could
scatcelybecitcumsctibedifonefailedtotakeintoconsidetationitstela-
tiontotouch,whichistosaythemobilitypeculiattothegazeandespe-
ciallyitsassociation, itsclose_in/ims}cottespondencewithtouch.tis
onlybecauseofitsmobilitythattheeyemaintainssuchintimatetelations
withtouch _/s/ac/} ,ibid. , p. 6z) .1heanalogical j ust asalwayscom-
mandsthelogicofthiscommunityofthesenses. Howcouldthehands
saytotheeyes.Dsasasds, iftheeyesweteimmovable:,ibid. , p. 6zn;) .
etascomesalmost ,thedihetenceof thea/mss/wouldopenupthe
intetval thatwe eatliet tisked nicknamingttanscendental . touch is not
quiteasense-notasenseasot/i/stheothets) . lotthatmattet,wecan
applytosighta/mss/allthatwehavesaidoftouch.lnthenatutalstateand
intheotdinatyexetciseoftheotgan,thetwofunctions-sensotyandmo-
tot-cottespondwithandbalanceeachothetwithnomutualdistutbance
,ibid. , p. 6;) .
Mainedeitan seems moteuneasywhentelatingheatingtotouch,but
hisptoceduteisalwaysthesame.thetecoutseistoana/sgbyteasonofot
ptopottionallytoms/sac/ii/,. lnotdettoheatwell, henotes, itis
necessatyto/is/sn,ibid. , pp. 6;6|) . Andthisptesupposesputtinginto
actionthemuscles, atension, aneffott. linthiscase,theehotthas
becomeimpetceptibleowingto theeat's immobilepassivity, asa/s
msn/ofmototactivitycomesasthetemedy, takingup withtouchagain.
Anatutalsupplement, ofcoutse,andateleological one' utnatutehet-
selfhastakencatetosupplementthesefaults,shehastestotedequilibtium
byassociatinginthemostintimatewayhetpassiveimptessionswiththe
activityofanotganessentiallymotot ,ibid. ,p. 6|) . utitisespeciallyto
the vocal otgan that this supplement ofmotot activity h nds itselfen-
ttusted. 1htough the effect ofa sympathyso habitual that itdoes not
Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh"
sttikeusatall, soundsttansmittedtotheeatandthecetebtalcentetsetin
motionthevocalotgan which tepeats them, imitatesthem, tutnsthem
back_/sshi/, incotpotates theminthespheteoftheindividua|'s
activity. An intetesting theotyofschsanddsa//s imin/follows.The
cottespondencewithtouchgoes thtoughtheecho. lassivityandactivity
atethuscoupled,andthisiswhatittakesto tutnheating, listening, and
thevoiceintokindsoftouching, modalities ofhaptical apptoachotap-
ptoptiation.Asalways,theptopetandtheptoximateategiven,ottathet,
supposedtobegiven) inthesamemovement.Thus,theindividualwho
listensishimse|fhisownschs.Theeatisasifinstantaneouslysttuckboth
bythe ditectextetnalsound and the intetnal sound teptoduced.These
twoimptintsateaddedtogethetinthecetebtalotgan,which is doubly
stimulated _s'/sc/issdsa//smsn/}-otbbytheactionwhichitcommu-
nicatesandbytheactionwhichitteceives.Suchisthecauseof/c/ssssnsss
litetal|y,sonotousottesonantheads ,ibid. , pp.
(-(

'
s
Afhnityanddependence. this doub|etelationwith touch thus detet-
minesheatingaswellassight.utaccotdingtoMainedeitanthisisstill
moteevidentinthecaseoftasteandsmell.Tastesatethetouchinhetent
_ss inthetongueandthepalate, andthesenseoftasteisthusthe
onethatismostc|oselytelatedtotouch,whi|ewhatcanbesaidabout
tasteappliesstillmoteditectlytosmell, thesetwosensesbeingclosely
_in/imsmsn/ connected with each othet as with theit intetnal otgans.
Mainedeitannevetfotgetstheanimal.Hecompatesthepassivityof
smell,theteagain,themssmsn/oftespitationma/ssa fotit,supplements
it_sa/s ) , ottathetitstoleamongtheextetnalsenses,atthesametank
as thepolyp ottheoystetinthescaleofanimallife ,ibid. , p. /) . Since
sme|listhemostpassiveofthesenses, itisascloseascanbetothesixth
categotyofimptessions,asssnsa/isns,whichcometousftominsidethe
body-nopetceptionhete,noehott,otatleastnopetceivedehott, no
activity, nodisctimination, nottaceofmemoty. Andwhen, inotdetto
qualitheseputesensations,theseputelyintetnalandpassivesensations,
Mainedeitanconcludes. alllightisec|ipsedwiththefacultyofmove-
ment, heconhtmsandgathetsseveta|axioms.
I. Thisanalysisofthesensesistuledbythepointofviewofthepet-
ceivingcsnscisasnsssands/sc/isknowledge.
2. Thehguteof|ighthnds itselfas ifnatutallyassociatedwith that,at
thevetymomentwhensightisnevetthelessintetptetedasakindoftouch.
). Aboveall , thetefetencetomovement,thefacultyofmovement, is
Iangsn/I |)
detetminingheteaswehaveseen,inotdettoustitheabsoluteptivilege
ofthetactile,anditiswhatai/hdaastouchftomtheotdetofsensibility,
ftomputesensation. Sensustticto, touchisnotptopetlyasense. 1his
exemplatysenseisasenseabovetheothetsenses,whichatenotsenses,in
fact,exceptintefetencetoit,howevettheyate-hencefotth-motesen
sitive, motessqsensesthantouchis.Mainedeitanisnotsayingit
likethis,butthisfotmulationseemstomeineluctablytocottespond to
theptemisesthatwehavej ustteheatsed.1hequasi-ttanscendentalcon-
sttaintsofthispatadoxynodoubtapplywellbeyondMainedeitan'sdis
coutse,anditisalsoonthisscotethattheycallfotoutattention.1ouchis
moteofasensethanatetheothets.1helattetatesensesonlybywayof
touchandatethetefotelesssensitivethantouchis.utfotthesametea-
son,becausetheyatemotepassive,lessactive,lessmotot-dtiven,andthete-
fotemotesensitivethantouch,theyatemotelegitimatelyentitledtobe-
ingtetmedsenses. Onehnds mote andless sense, atthesame time,on
bothsidesoftheanalogy
ut inotdetfutthetto temainwiththeMmsisssa/a/i/ads,having
ttacedthelogicofthetelationbetweentouchandtheothetsenses, letus
comebacktowhatnecessatilyptivilegesanotganoftouch, thehand, in
thisphilosophyofe

ottandthemototwill.1heteisaKantianhand,and
thetewillbeaHussetlian hand, andaHeideggetianhand, andsofotth,
whichhavettaitsincommonbutdonotovetlap.Andtheteisalsoaitan-
ianhand.
Mototactivitytemainsthedistinguishingttaitoftouch,matkingitsex
cellence,itiswhatmakestheothetsensestesembletouchandtelatetoit,
eveniftouchisinfactalsochatactetizedbytheunion ofthefacultiesof
feelingandmoving.1hefacultyofmovingistheonetowhichtheegois
immediatelyattached,withitsactivityanditsdistinctiveness.lutthetmote,
thisfacultyofmotionisawill,andtheegothatmovesandself-movesisa
willingsubj ect. Since Maine de itan's fotmulas hete ate atthesame
time ptecise and hgutative, we should not ptoceed without temaining
closetotheitlettet.Mainedeitanwantsatthesametimetodissociate
andassociatej ustastigotouslythefacultiesofmoving,self-moving,and
feeling.Andsinceitistotheh tstfacultythatheimmsdia/sqconnectsthe
ego-anegowhoseidentityhastobethatofawillingsubject-hesttetches
thethetoticofhise

ottsoastodissociatewhatheassociates,infact/ain-
ningtwo faculties. Such a twinningptovidestheconditionfotafunda-
mental expetience ofeffott, at the j oint oftwo faculties. lfthete wete
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh'
nothingbutamototwill , puteego) , thetewouldbe noeffott,but thete
wouldnotbeanyeithetifthetewetenothingbutputesensibility. lamnot
j ustconvenientlyinventingtheschemaoltwinning.Hete,lotexample,as
eatlyastheinttoductiontotheMmsis,isapassage,thepassageofacet-
taintathet, thatbeatswitnesstothethetoticexettedsoas toj ustithe
conceptofehottitself. Wecanalteadybegintopetceivethatactivity, as
that whichisdistinctive ofthe ego and its ways ofbeing, isditectlyat-
tachedtothefacultyolmsing,which oughttobedistinguishedftomthat
of s/ing, asamainbtanchisdistinguishedftomthettunkofthettee, ot
tathetastwintteesatedistinguishedwhichclingtogethetandgtowinto
one,withthesamestem_danshmcmsssachs} ,Mainedeitan,Inasncs
sHa/i/, p. ;6, slightlyamplihed.-1tans. )
1hestem_ssachs oftheeffott,thetefote,isthestemitsel1heeffott
wotksthestem,inthestemoftheego,andsinceitisalsotheotiginofthe
ego,itisanegobefotetheego,egowithoutegootegobefoteego.1histe-
lationtooneself,thisfacultytosaylottopositoneself,self-identical, as
l, can only instituteitselftomthestemitself, in amemoty, with petsis-
tence,intepeatedeffotts,andinself-tetention.dsoitshouldnotsut-
ptiseusthatthecleatestfotmulasonthissubjectappeatatthemoment
whenMainedeitandealswithwhathetetmsminiscsncsmemoty
andthatthemostintetestingfotmulasdiscteetlyputincommunicationa
thinkingoffotce,potentialpowet,thesetempotalizingdynamicsoltheef-
fott,withathinkingofthevittual.
Tbemototdetetminationisatendenoltbeotganottbemototcentetto te
peat tbeactionottbemovementwbicb basoccuttedlottbehtsttime.ben
tbistendencypassesltomtbe cirtaa/to tbeactaa/ ct ,as atesultolte
newedextetnalstimulation,tbeindividualai//sandexecutestbesamemove-
ment.Heisconsciousolareneaedrt . . . .beteatetbeelementsolatelation,
asubjectwbicbai/, always sell-identical, andavatiabletetm, resistance . . . .
Tbemototbengwbo bas acted, andwbo acts nowwitb gteatetlacility,
cannotpetceivetbisdilletencewitbouttecognizingbisown identityas ai/-
ingsa/ect. 8uttbistecognitionnecessatilyentai|stbatoltbeendoltbeac-
tion, tbeyptesupposeeacbotbet,andatecloselyunitedintbesameimptes-
sionolert. ,ibid. , pp. ;o-;i)
1his intimate union oftwo hetetogeneous elements ,which atedis-
assscia/sdin away constitutes theptimitive fact olthe effott in mixsd
fashion,and thisptimitivefactisanythingbutsimple.Aseatlyas on the
Iangsn/I
secondpage ofthe inttoduction, Mainedeitanhastospeakofsome-
thingmingledandofhtstteectionthathasdiscovetedacompound.
Andthetetesideshisfaithfulconcetn, butalsoandat thesametimehis
htst unfaithfulness with tespect to the Ids/sgass'analytism and theit
ctavingfot an ultimate, simple elementotan otiginatitythatwill not
bteakdown.
Andwhetedoestheh tstinstanceofthewotd/occut-thewotd
/undetscoted:ltseems tobe, still intheinttoduction,inthecoutse
oftheh tstanalysisoftouch, andmotepteciselymanaa/touch.1heex-
ptessiononmyhand comesup thteetimestoscanatheatticalaction,
thatis,goingintoaction, andmotelitetallyintosutgety, thismanualop-
etationthatcattiesthehandfotwatdandputsitincontactwithafoteign
body. Rssis/ancs, then-as ifevetythingwentbywayofthehand,
the human hand, thethteebeats ofa human hand. Stattingwith msi,
withthegenesisofi-aswillingmototsubj ect.
A. Fis/ /sa/ lfone places on myhand an obj ect whose sutface is
tough . . . . ltisthemomentofpute,putelypassivesensation, thepatt
offeeling. 1hemototfacultyisstillpatalyzed, theego is notdistinct
ftomitsmodih cations.
. Sscsnd/sa/.lftheobjectisleftsnm,handsupposingittohavea
cettainweight. . . . , Hetetheconcept ofweighing, ofwhich we spoke
eatliet,alsocattiesovettothehand.)lfeelafotceopposedtominebut
itisnotyetthesgs actingtotaiseottoholdbackmatm,eveniflalteady
know that thete is something outside of me that challenges all the
sophismsofidealism.
|. Ihid/sa/. lf-theobjectstilltemainingsnm,handmyem ph a-
sis-| . D. -lwishtoclosethehand,andi whilemyhngetsatefolding
backuponthemselves,theitmovementissuddenlystoppedbyanobsta-
cleonwhichtheyptessand that thwatts _a/s} them,anewj udgment
isnecessaty,/hisisns/ 1heteisavetydistinctimptessionofsolidity, of
tesistance,whichiscomposedofathwattedmovement,ofans/that
lmake,inwhichlamac/is . . .
Letusstopaninstantonthis imptessionofs/whichcomes ftom
anythwa

ted_csnain/} movement.We mustleatntoknowitwell,Maine

de itan,InasncssHa/i/, pp. /

) .
Exsm/,S/sisss/hs '/ssh'
We mustleatntoknowit _/a, i . e. , thisimptession well , inthehtst
placebecauseitis amattettheteofbecomingknowledgeableaboutthe
conditionitselfoltheknowing.lndeed,ananalysisfollows,whichascends
alongthethteesegments intimeofthishistotyofthehandandmanual
touch,withaviewtoshowingthatwithoutawillingmotot subject, thete
isnoehott,andwithouteffott,noknowledge.Andwithoutthehand,not
evenanideafotthesubjectofhis_sic} ownexistence,asitwete.ltgoeson.
LHottnecessatilyentailstbepetceptionolatelationbetweentbebeingwbo
moves,otwbowisbestomove,andanyobstaclewbatsoevetwbicbisopposed
toitsmovement,witboutasa/ectotawillwbicbdetetminestbemovement,
witboutasometbingwbicbtesists,tbeteisnotatall,andwitbouteHott
noknowledge,nopetceptionolanykind.
lltbeindividualdidnotai//otwasnotdetetminedtobegintomove,be
wouldknownotbing.llnotbingtesistedbim,belikewisewouldknownotb
ing,bewouldnotsuspectanyexistencebewouldnotevenbaved ieolbis
ownexistence. ,ibid. , p. ,?)
1hen comes a countetptoof, which examines all that would come
about-ottathet,allthatwouldnot-withoutmanualtouch,shouldthe
touchdieotvanishatthethtesholdofthetstbeat,otthesecond,otthe
thitd.whatwouldnothappenispetceptionandknowledge.
Atthevetyplacewhetetheyhaveahsaswe noted, whetetheybutt
againstamixed andacompound, theseanalysesandsynthesesimply
ahietatchyandateleology. ltteduciblyandessentially. Atthetopatethe
willtoknowandthewillingsubject-theeffott.Atthetopofthesenses
ofehottisthisquasi-sensethatistouch,theulttasense.Atthetopofthe
otgans oftouch is the hand, thewhole hand, its sutface and hngets. A
note'evenenumetatesallthatwouldgomissingfotwhoevethadathisot
hetdisposalonlythetipofanexttemelypointyh ngetnail.We'veteadital-
teady-thehand, thefotemostinsttumentofanalysis, opens afeeding
gtoundlotintellect ,p. 6i) .
Now, this hand isthehand ofman, thehumanbeingas anima//is-
na/s. Humansatethe onlybeingswhohave this handattheitdisposal,
theyalonecan /sach, inthesttongestandsttictestsense. Humanbeings
touch moteandtouchbettet.1hehandisptopetlyhuman, touchingis
ptopetlyhuman.itisthesameptoposition.Withoutplayingtoomuch,we
couldcallthisMainedeitan'shumanualism hamainisms-
thesameteleologicalhietatchyandthesameptesuppositionsaboutthean
Iangsn/I i ; ;
imal,yieldingthesameknowledge, thesamewill,thesamewillt oknow,
butftequentlyalsothesameobscutantism.
Mainede itan's tematkaboutan elephant's ttunkis not disptoving
thishumanualism.Ontheconttaty.Theelephant'sttunkfulhllsapptox-
imatelythesamefunctionsas thehandofman. Apptoximately. Kant
within the same anthtopo-teleological hietatchy-does notneglect the
futute ofthe otangutan otthechimpanzeewho could one daydevelop
neat-human otgans, otgans that can beusedtohandle, touch, palpate,
gtope and feel obj ects andspeak ,zum befhlen detGegenstnde und
zumsptechen) . 'Mainedeitan,fothispatt,j umpssttaighttotheele-
phant,andifthelattetisplacedatthetopofthescaleoflivingbeings,it
isonlyto theextentthat,thankstowhatis apptoximately aknowing
hand,namely,itsttunk,theelephanttesembleshumanbeingstoacettain
extent.Alongnoteonceagaininvokesuffon'sauthotity. Knowledgeable
intelligenceandaboveallms/sac/ii/andms/i/i,whichconditionit
theseatetheotganizingctitetiaofthisanthtopo-zoologicalcompatatism
andthisteleologicalhietatchy.
Tbeelepbant'sttunklulhllsaroximatetbesamelunctionsas tbebandol
man,motoracticit,andsensibleleelingcanbeloundinitequallyunitedtoa
petlectdegtee.Tbetelote,as8uHontematked, tbisotganisdoubtlesstbeone
towbicbtbeelepbantowes tbeintelligentleatutes distinguisbingit. Wben
compatingtbelacultiesolvatiousspeciesolanimals,onemayerhasnothnd
itdilh culttoptovetbattbeselacultiesatenotsomucbptopottionalinnum-
betotintelationto tbe tehnementoltbesenses tbanto tbeacticit,andtbe
petlectionoltbemotorotgans,lesstotbeenetgyandvetyrore delicacyol
sensibleleeling /asensi/i/it} tbantotbeptomptcottespondence, tbecon-
stantequilibtiumtbatsensibleleelingenjoyswitbtegatdto moti/it,
Apptoximately, '' pethaps.thesesignsofempiticistcautiondisappeat
atthetopofallthetanksinthescale -whichgoesftommandownto
thepolyp,ftomthemostmotottothemostsensibleotthemostpassive
-whentheadmitableandpetfection,humanpteeminence,andthe
foundationottheconditionsofhumanpteeminenceatewhatisadmited.
Theexttemesubdivisionofhumannetves,theptopottionandadmitable
disttibutionofsensibleand motot otgans, thepetfectionoftheseotgans
,especilyofthehandandthevocalotgan) ,theitcottespondencewithina
uniquecentetbuiltonsuchapeculiatplane-suchateptobablythefoun-
dationottheconditionsofhumanpteeminence.
; | Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh'
Sevetal pathsateopentowhoevetmaywishtoinquitefutthetintothis
human destinaton ofthe hand insuch a discoutse aboutthe sense of
touch.Onemayaskoneselfwhatthesxsm/ai/,ofthishumanhandsig-
nihes. ln Nancy's discoutse,inwhathesaysaboutmybody aswellas
the/schnofbodies, thisseemstomeabsent,ptecisely,otimplicitlyand
ptacticallycalledintoquestion.Adwhathesays isas foteigntothehu-
manisticphilosophyofthehandastothiscontinuisticintuitionism,this
cult ofnatutal immediacy, which has inspited so manycelebtations of
touching.We needtotetead/schnofbodies, insasagainandagain,
since this questionofthehand, whichisalsoahistotyofthehand,as
we know, temains-should temain-impossible to dissociate ftom the
histotyoftechnicsanditsintetptetation, aswellasftomalltheptoblems
thatlinkthehistotyofthehandwithahominizingptocess.'ltisalsothe
questionoftheeyeandthequestionofthemouth,ofcoutse.utweneed
whatwedeemedtobethenecessatystattingpoint.fotNancytheques-
tionofthemouth ,/acca) isnottobeteducedtothequestionofotality
thatspeaks,ss) .
Theteatesevetalpathstointetptettheexemplatityofthishumanhand,
andthatisbecause,evenwithMainedeitan,itcanhavea/s/ss/sgica/and
thusitteplaceable ,seeminglydominant sense, aswellas asgsgica/and
secondatyone, whichisvittuallyptegnantwithevetykindofmetonymy.
manualtouchingasthe/ss/example,aconvenientandeloquentsample,al-
beitteplaceableanddispensable.Thehguteofthehandcouldwellbethe
/ss/ontoteleologcalhgute,the/ss/thetoticalhgute,otattopeamongoth-
etstoexposewhatanotganoftouch ottactilityisin genetal. Although
theteleologicalsensegivesitsotientationtothepedagogicalsenseoftheex-
ample,althoughthetwosensesdonotseemtobedissociableinMainede
itanandsomanyothets, theytemain distinctinptincipleanddej ute.
Thiscanalsobeexplainedbythequasi-ttanscendentalpatadoxevoked
eatliet.Ttanscendentalismisalwaysguidedbyamoteotlesssutteptitious
exemplatism. A soonas touchisdetetminedas themastetsenseotthe
otiginatysensebywayofateasoningthattutnsitintosomethingothetand
motethana,sensitiveandpassive sense, one mayincludeitinthelist of
the senses ot j ust as well exclude it. And as soon as the tactile is conse-
quentlyasensethatisatthesametimelocalizableandunlocalizable,itslo-
calteptesentation,fotexampleotpatexcellence,thehandotthehngetsof
thehandbecomesnecessatyandj ustaswellcontingentandatbittaty.
Wetecanwehndaptoof,otatleastasign, ofthis:Well,fotexample,
Iangsn/I i ; ;
i nthefactthatthesamephilosophyofeffottandmototspontaneity, the
samediscoutseaboutanessentiallinkbetweenehottandtouch, thesame
ptaise oftheitcommon pteeminence inthehuman petsonality can be
displayedwithouta detetminingteletence,pethapswithoutevenanallu-
sion, to thehand. llixRavaisson,asfatas l cantell,nevetmentions the
handinhisthesisonhabit,Ds/a/i/adsi?;? ) . etheplainly, andoen
wotdfotwotd,detiveshisaxiomsftomMainedeitan,whomhemote-
ovetoften cites-which does not limit theotiginalityofwotkthatleads
elsewhetetowhatlhavej ustfotconvenience'ssaketetmedhisaxioms.1he
ones that mattet to us hete have to do with motot activity, effott, and
touching. lfmovementptesupposesapowetexceedingtesistance,thetela-
tionbetweenpowetandtesistancecanbemeasutedbytheconsciousnessof
theehottthatthus envelops activityandpassivity. Effottsituates thelocus
ofequilibtiumbetween actionandpassion, asbetweenpetceptionand
sensation. RavaissonthencallsonAtistotle,invokingthePsisachs, on
thesubjectoffotce),andonMainedeitanespecially, ashetakesthecon-
sciousnessofehottfotthemanifestationofpetsonality,undettheeminent
fotmofvoluntatyactivity lnhisLahi/ssshissnFancsaas siecs
,i?6?) ,

RavaissonptaisesMainede itanfothavingttanslatedl /hin/

thetefote l am into l ai//thetfote l am-and not only, as Metleau-
lonty,quotedeatliet)alsonoted,intolcan. utwhatdiffetenceisthete
betweenlamwillingtobeableto _ssaxsasi} andlamabletobe
willing to _ssaxsa/si} Now, as effott cannot be dissociated ftom
touch,touchatthesametimelhllsitandcovets theentiteheldofexpe-
tience,evetyintetvalandevetydegteebetweenpassivityandactivity.1ouch
_/ac/} ,theeminentsenseofehott,isalsothenameofallthesenses.Ehott
isfulhlledintouch_/ac/} .1ouch_/ac/} extendsftomtheexttemityofpassion
totheexttemityofaction. lnitsdevelopmentitcomptisesalltheitintet-
mediatedegtees,and,atevetydegtee,itbeatsouttheitlawofteciptocity. '
Andso, touchoccupies/as/acssintheanalysesdedicatedtothisde-
velopment, thisseemstocomplywiththeitanianlegacy.
A.Ontheonehand,touch,assach,occupiesamedianandidsa/tegion
ofeffottpoisedbetweenpassivityandactivity. Onthisscote, itisthevety
bestthingaboutahumanbeing. ltisinthemediantegionoftouch,itis
inthismystetiousmiddletetmoftheeffott, thatone h nds,withteec-
tion, thecleatestand mostassutedconsciousnessolpetsonality.
1hisattentionpaidtothemiddletetm nodoubtconhtmsafaithful
Atistotelianism. ltis,howevet,ofintetestheteftomanothetpointofview.
Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh'
1his attentionseems insepatable ftomthe csn/inaismwhosesymptoms
wehavettackedthtoughnumetousintuitionisticandspititualistichap-
tologies, bothclassicalandmodetn. ythesametoken, itisalsoinsepa-
table-andthisaspectisj ustasdecisive-ftomapostulatedindiisi/i/i/,.
,sn/inai/,andindiisi/i/i/,. two ttaitsthatcouldhelp us to fotmalize
thewholemetaphysicsoftouch,whichisoftenanexptesslyspititualistic
metaphysics,sometimesamattetofhumanisms. Nancyseemstobteak
awayftomhaptocenttistmetaphysics,otatleasttodistancehimselfftom
it.Hisdiscoutseabouttouchisneithetintuitionisticnotcontinuistic,ho-
mogenistic,otindivisibilistic.Whatithtsttecallsisshating,patting,patti-
tioning, anddiscontinuity, intettuption,caesuta-inawotd,syncope. ln
accotdancewithamybodythathndsitselfinvolvedftomtheoutsetwith
a/schnasitteducibletonatuteas to spitit, andinaccotdancewitha
senseoftouchthatNancyalwaysdesctibesaslocal,modal,ftactal.
HowdoesRavaissonlinkhi sovetvaluationofthemiddletetm,which
istosayof/sach,aswe havej ustseen) with such anindivisibilisticcon-
tinuism:Hedoesitbyintetptetingtheconceptofmssmsn/,j ustasfun-
damentalinhiseyes) , andbydetetmining it,stattingftomthenecessity
ofitsmeasute,itsfaitmeasute-thatis,thebests/a/isn.Oneistempted
tosay, its/sgss. ltisthete,inwhatlookslikeamagicttickotaneffectof
mitaculousgtace,bydintofaconfusionotthesimpleexplanationthat
itimplies, thatthedivisiblebecomesindivisibleandtheintetvalhllsup.
And it is also thete, mote ot less in sectet, ina mote ot less clandestine
fashion,thatahguteoftouch,exttemes/sach _/sssx/cmsssetouchent )
gtoundsthismetaphysicsofthelifeofthespititasametaphysicsoftouch.
1hisisapetmanenttemptation,andanythinkingoftouchmusttemain
vigilantbefoteit,whichiswhylaminsistingonit. Ravaisson.
Movemeutgivesiutetvalsameasute.Theiutetvalim/iesthe-iuhuitelydi-
scontinait,olthemiddle.Coutiuuityim/iesauindicisi//emi/eterm
whete, thtoughouttheexteusiouolthemiddle,atauydistauceltomoueot
theothetextteme, exttemes toach audoppositesateconased o . o . Lxttemes
toachevetywhete, theptiucipleaudtheeudateconsed. Thisimmediateiu-
telligeuceiscouctetethought,whetetheideaisasediu8eiug.Thisimmedi-
atewillis desiteottathetlove,whichpossessesauddesitesatthesametime.
. utontheothethand,andsimultaneously, touchcovetstheheldof
theothetfoutsenses, ftomthemostpassiveand least mobile ,tasteand
Iangsn/ ;/
smell) totheloftiest s/ss} , endowedwithmovementin theit function
,heatingandsight) .lnthefoutsensesplacedatintetvalsbetweentheex-
ttemelimitsofthedevelopmentoftouch,thesametelationsptevai|,sub-
j ectedtothesamelaw . . . . Aptofoundlawtevealsitselfoutside,inthese-
tiesofthevatioussenses,ftomthehtsttothelastfotmoftouch,thtough
theptogtessivesymmettyand independence oftheotgans, theitsepata-
tioninspace,andatthesametimetheithatmonyinmovement.
lnthesetathetlimitedtefetencestoRavaisson,lamthusattihciallyiso-
latingthiswithdtawal ofthehand.To my sole question-namely, why
does this intetptetationoftouch keep silentaboutthehand, althoughit
hastaken ovetalmostevetythingftomMainede itanandwhatl have
tetmedhishumanualism:-thepossibleanswetisoftwotypes, ottathet
itisatwo-facedanswet.lfRavaissonappatentlyavoidsanthtopocenttism
ot anthtopologism, ifhe does not lock himselfinto a desctiption that
wouldpaymuchattentiontothehumanhand,itisalsobecausehisput-
poseistoestablishaspititualisticmetaphysicsoflife,agenetalontologyof
theliving,whichistevealedftomoneendofhisbooktotheothet,andoti-
entshisintetptetationoftouch.Thusitisintheptincipleoflifethatna-
tuteaswellas eingptopetlyconsist

Thislifeaspitestospitit, ittends
to becomelifeofthespitit. ltom the otigin to theend, itptecedes, tta-
vetses,andovetHowsthehumanityofthehumanwithoutceasingtoinsis
otasisto it, and thetefote to h nalizeit lt isbyteason ofthisexcessof
hnalityothnalismthattheteisnotevenanyfutthetneedtostopatthehu-
manhand.linalismisdeclateditdehnesthefteedomofspitit,namely,the
ptincipleoflife, as the ptevalence ofhnal causes ovetefhcientones.The
necessity ofhabit, thisvittue, isnotanecessityofconsttaintbutofat-
ttactionanddesite. lndeed, itis alaw, the /aasmsm/ss Saintlaul ,
whichfollowsthefteedomofspitit. ut this lawisa/aasgacs. tis the
hnalcause,which incteasinglyptevailsovettheecientcauseabsotbingit
withinit.
Life im/isstheoppositionofteceptivityandspontaneity,without
whichtheteisneitheteffottnottouch,thatistosay, noconsciousness.No
spitit.OfteninHuencedbyavietichatsRschschssh,sis/sgiqasssa/a
iss/sa/a ms/,futthetdevelopmentsaboundandatededicatedto the
livinganditsdiseasesandpatasites.Theyallbtingintoplayanontoteleol-
ogy oflife, which is also, indissociably, an ontotheology ofdesite and
gtace. lnotdettoexitthecitcle andhndthebeginning, betweenthe
effottthatimplies tesistanceandtesistancethatmanifestsitselfineffott,
Esm/a,S/sisss/hsF/ssh'
one mustimplantwill inadesite, ptimotdialinstinct. na/asitsel

lollowinga gestute that l believe tobetypical, and olwhich Ravaisson

wasnot the last to ollet an example, as we shall see, hisinvocationsol
Saintlaul,SaintAugustine, Malebtanche,andlnelonimmediately
telay, inotdettospititualizeandevangelizeit,theAtistotelianinspitation
thata|teadyliesatthecoteolthisphilosophyinthevetyintetptetationol
desite,ssis) .Natuteiswhollyindesite,anddesiteinthegoodwhichat-
ttacts it. Andso, theseptoloundwotdsltomaptoloundtheologiancan
sttictlybevetihed. Natuteisptevenientgtace. ' ltisGodinus, Godcon-
cealedsolelybyteasonolbeingtoolatinside,inthisinnetmostintimacy
oloutselvesthatwecannotlathom.

Somemight claim, andmayevendemonsttate ,thisisthesecondlace

olthesameanswet) ,thatwhatishiding,inthiswithdtawalolthehuman
hand,soastoactinsectet,isthehandolGod.lsthisj ustanothethgute:
Howisonetosepatatethisptevenientgtaceltomallthessnsssandways
olthe Gospel,ltomits lightotHesh:And lncatnation:And patticulatly
themitaculoustoucholChtist:
b an_cnt !!
Fcr c\cm/c, m, hcnd''-' Ihc hcnd itc-
Fcr c\cm/c, thc }ngcr-Fcr c\cm/c,
! c/ m, hccrt'
lotexample. . . my. . . handisHussetl'sphtase,andsoisfotexam
ple, the. . . hnget. Sometimesitiszamsisis/thatfotexample ttans-
lates,fotexample, myhand) , andsometimesitiss/aa,apptoximatelyas,
like,fotexample. . . thehnget) .
Hence,exemplatiness.Whyhavel insistedsomuch onthis ambiguity
ofsxam/ss, andtheexampleofthehand,inMainedeitanandRavais-
son:lotnumetousteasons,andtoputsuemoethanonemotif, tunning
actossallthevaluesofexemplatiness.
I . 1he andsm sample. thehandas an indsn/exampleofatactile
otgan,
2. Ie/ss/sgica/value. thehandasthe/ss/exampleofwhatchatactetizes
the haman /sing, atthetop ofan ontologicalhieatchy-fotattaining,
taking snds , comptehending,analyzing,knowing,knowinghowto
handout,andsofotth,
). Andaboveall,shalll say, asimulactumofasamplewhosesymptom
wouldgiveaway anothet, hidden teleology. thehandmaynotbeanex-
ampleamongothetsbutthebestms/sn,m,ofsomeothet-otmotethan
one-tactile,otnontactile)bodilylocus,andofaself-touchingotasup-
plementatytouching-touched,whichcouldgothtoughthehand,othand
itselfout, butwouldnotstopatit. lamsayinga/ssa//thesymptomofa
metonymy, because,as l have tematked, we havealwayshadto tteatthe
questionoftouchwithintheevet-openpossibilityofsomehgutality, some
hgutalsubstituteotsupplementendlesslytunningtowatditsownptopet
abyss. touchinghgutes-andthetechnicalpattakesofthegame.
Actossalltheseteasons,whichateintetlacedwithoutexcludingonean-
J
\
Y
i 6o Exsm/a,S/sisss/hsF/ssh'
othet, lhave alsottiedtoptepate tointettogatetheptopetlyphenome-
nologicalmomentofthishistotyoftouch-henceHussetl'shandandh n-
gets,andthezamBsisis/andthes/aacitedbefotewestatted.To intet
togatea ptopetly phenomenological momentish tstandfotemost, as
well, to askoutselves whethettheteissuchamoment, befote,ptecisely,
ptesupposingthatwe ttustthis motifofptopetness ,aboutwhich some
doubtseatlietatose)andptesupposingfutthetthatthephenomenological
gestute,inwhatmightbeptopetaboutit,doesnotteptoducesomany
ttaditional pattetns. Let usventute somehypotheses onthehotizon of
thisdetout,soaslittlebylittletolocalizethesingulatityofNancy's cot-
pus, as itstands out inthe tich ttail ofHussetlian phenomenologyin
ltance.Concetningtouch,thisttailhtstandfotemostfollowsthepassage,
andcettainpassages,ofHussetl'sIdsasPs/aining/saPasPhsnsmsns/sg
and/saPhsnsmsns/sgica/Phi/sssh,, l l ,citedasIdsasII) .
ltismotethanevetnecessatytoptoceedslowly,ptudently,andvigilantly
hete. |ust as we have tepeatedly tecognized some ptephenomenological
motifsinetkeley, Kant, andMainedeitanamongothets,wecanlike-
wisetecognizeavetyfamiliatlandscapeinHussetl'sanalyses,ftomtheout-
set, and this eventeaches into the placeswheteone might assume that
phenomenologicalteductionhasdeeplymodih edthepathways.Within
onesinglepatagtaphwhetewe teadlotexample. . . my. . . hand, we
canseeteappeatingas anetwotk-oftenwithinthesamenetwotk-each
andevetyotganizingconceptofthediscoutseandtheattendantlogicthat
wehavej ustevoked,ftomMainedeitantoRavaisson,namely,fteedom,
spontaneity, thewllofanego,theEgosubjectaswill,itscan-will_sasi-
sa/si , the mototactivityofa ss, ssn/anssas, immsdia/s, andsofotth,
mssmsn/.Andall this, moteovet, istolaydownexplicitlyadistinctive
featuteoftheody,Lsi /) _cssssaboutwhichHussetlhasj ustas-
settedthatitbecomesbodyptopetonlythtoughtouch,andmoteptecisely
atouchabletactuallytofeel,gtope, palpate, fondle-oftenbywayofthe
hand,a//as/sn) .
lotexample . . my. . . hand comesfotthamidthisaxiomaticchain,
thatis,thewill, fteedom, andspontaneityofanego auto-affectingitself
immsdia/sqbywayofitssan,ssmovementas/sd,ss,otesh
chai ,as Lsi/has often been ttanslatedinltance) .All these meanings
atenecessatlyinvolvedinthemssmsn/ptopetofthebodyptopet,Lsi/) ,
sinceHusset, inallhis analyses ofthe bodyptopetandpetceptiveexpe-
tience,accotdsthegteatestattentionto/inss/hs/icptocessesandhotizons,
Ingsn/II 6i
andeventotheellectsolempiticalhabit,oteventheha/i/asolthepute
Ego,whichisstilladilletentthing,IdsasII p. r) .Onlyonthenonma-
tetialsideisssn/ansi/,itdia/s-theliving,animate,spititualsideol
thebodyptopetthatismyown,andhuman,andthebodyolanego-man
,h-Msnsch) .1hehandismyhand,buth tstashandolman,thisegolog-
icalbody, thislivingbodyptopet,Lsi/)
is an organothe ai//, vi/ensorgan) , theoneandonO/ectwhich, lotthe
willolmyputeLgo,ismocea//eimmediateandsontaneoasandisameans
lotptoducingamediatespontaneousmovementinothetthings, in,lotex-
ample,thingssttuckbymyimmediatelyspontaneouslymovedhand,gtasped
byit, lilted, etc.Sheermateria/thingsareonmocea//emechanica/andon
artakeosontaneoasmocementinamediate aa,. Only8odies,Lei/er)ate
immediatelyspontaneously,lteely) moveable, andtheyateso, specihcally,
bymeans othelteeLgoanditswillwhich belongtothem.ltisinvittue ol
theselteeacts that, aswesaweatliet, thetecanbeconstitutedlotthis Lgo, in
maniloldsetiesolpetceptions,anObject-wotld,O/ektae/t) ,awotldolspatial-
cotpoteal things ,raamkcre/icheDinge) ,the 8odyas thing dasDingLei/
included) .Thesubject. . . hasthelaculty ,the l can) tolteelymove this
8ody. ,IdeasII pp. i,,-6o)
Letusleaveaside,atleastlotnow,thediscussionmadenecessaty,apto-
pos olthis conceptollteedom, byNancy's useolthesamewotd, ltee-
dom, to designatean expetiencethat no longetessentiallytelets to the
egologicalsubject _sas/gs/sgiqas} ,asisthecasehete. lotNancy, theex-
petienceollteedomisnotptimatilytheexpetienceolasubject,awill,ot
anlcan.
Convetsely, l 'll stop insisting on this conh tmation olmyeatliet te-
matks.inHussetl,asinllatoandsomanyothets, theauthotityoltheei-
detic h guteand oloptical intuitionism, the implicitphilosophyolthe
gaze-aspatadoxicalasthismayappeat-alwaysandnecessatily//si/-
sshtmlyand incessantlysttengthens and conhtmsitsell, in anintuition
tactuallyh lled-inandinthehypetboleolcontinuistichaptocentetedness.
Hence,ineachinstance,touchingisnolongetj ustonesenseamongoth-
ets,sinceitconditionsthemallandiscoextensivewiththem.Andsinceit
isnotasenseliketheothets,itisdesignatedasssnss,sensotylaculty, bythe
playolanevetlastinglyequivocalmetonymy. utwhythendoes onekeep
ptetendingtotteatitasasense,as oneolthesenses,thtoughoutthettadi-
tion:Andlutthetmote, ilinconcettweagteetohaveitdesignateanin-
Exsm/ar,S/srisss/hsF/ssh'
sensibleotmetasensibleteceptivity, thebeinginthewotldolahniteex-
istence,theexpeienceolbeings ingenetal ,andthiswouldalteadyconsti-
tuteitsexceptionalexcellence) ,whyconletonit-asHusset|does-this
othetptivilege,namely,in/ai/is, immsdia/s, carrsn/,andcsr/ain/sni/ads
inthe expetienceolptesentbeing,intheptesenceoltheptesent:lndeed,
ltom,r)theaxiomaticdehnitionoltouchastheexpetienceolptesencein
genetal,to ,z)theaxiomaticdehnitionolthissameexpetienceaslull,in-
tuitive,immediate,ditect,andsolotth,theconsequenceisnotnecessaty,
and notnecessatilygood. ,1hisconsequence,thislastassutanceiswhat
stattsttemblingintheintettuptiveexpetienceolthesyncope,andassyn-
cope, atthe-intetminable-momentwhenthediscoutseolthesyncope
tunsthtoughNancy'swholewotk.)
ln the chapte immediately pteceding the one containing the alote-
mentioned lotexample. . . my. . . hand, Hussetlhad abundantlyil-
lusttatedtouch,eachtimedesctibingitsdigitalmanipulations-asilthe
onlywayweevetouchedwetewithouthandandasilthehngetsweteall
outhandwetemadeoAndthisunsutptisinglyoccutsatapointwhete
the phenomenologist ctedits touch with an absolute, unpatalleled, and
gtoundingpteeminence.
We ategoingtoidentithesignsolthis,whichistosaytheexcellence
oltouchamongthesenses, andolthehandamongthepattsototgansol
thetactilebodyptopet,andolthehngetsandtheittipsintelationtothe
hand.utcan'twealteadyintetptetthesesignsassomanytestimoniesto
theptimacyconletteduponthethingas obj ect, htstontheextetnalob-
j ect,andthenonwhattemainsasthesubj ectiveandphenomenological
expetienceolthebodyptopet,thisothetotiginalobj ect:
WhatHussetlstatts ltomistheobjectivityolthematetialotextended
body, otmotepeciselythephenomenologicalexpetience andsubj ective
andegologicalphenomenalityolthiss/sc/ii/,. ltomthevetybeginning
olthischaptet,patagtaph),, Dihetencesetweentheisualand1actual
Realms) , theextetnalobjectisatissue,andveysoon, thepossibilitythat
onecantouchwithone's hngetlaysbatethecomplicationthatwillmake
lotadihetencebetweendigitaltouchingandseeing.hngetscanalsotouch
eachothet-hngets touchinghngets, doubleapptehension ,Dss/-
aassang) ,doublesensation ,Dss/smndangsn) .
Letusnevetlotgetthatthesehngetsatetouchinghngetsandnotshow-
ing, indicating,signaling,otsigniinghngets.1hedeicticlunctionolthe
IngcnII
index otlotehngetseems teducedhete to the deletted potentialityola
contact.withmyhnget l pointtoandshowwhatl couldhope to teach
andtotouch,asitwete, aetmovingtoapptoach it. HeteHussetlallows
himselltodistegatdthisdeicticlunctionolthepointingh nget,sincewhat
intetests him in this whole chaptetisthe telationwithitsellolthebody
ptopet,itsconstitution,and-thatisthetitleolchaptet;-1heConsti-
tutionollsychicReality1htough the8ody.1o besute,intheh tstplace,
otthelast, thesell-touchingolwhichHussetlspeakshetemaybeundet
theconttololtheauto-deicticdimensionolthehngetthattutnsbackto-
watdthe bodyptopet in otdet to indicate. 1his is me, mysell-as
muchasandmotethan,toallectitsellwithasensation. Moteovet,letus
notlotgeteithetthattheleeling-itsell-touchithehngetimmediately
isaleeling-itsell-touchcthehnget,evenwhenmyhngetdoesnottouch
anothetoneolmyhngets.whenittouchesanythingwhatsoevetextetnal
tomybodyandmyhnget,myhngetleelsitselltouchedbythethingthat
it touches, which at htst gives the example olthe hnget leeling itsell
touchedbyatouchinghngetonlythevalueolapedagogicalexample,gen-
etalizabletoanycontactingenetal,evenilitcanlatetgivetisetoaphe-
nomenologicalanalysisolthebodyptopetthatismotenattowlyspecihc,
thisisespeciallythecase ,icFa// intheiolthesesentences,l
amnumbetingthemlotconvenienceandclatityinthisanalysis,whetethe
stagesatesubtlyintetlinked, albeitdistinct,andthestakeshigh) .
i lnthetactualtealmwehavetheexterna/O/ect tactuallyconstituted,and
asecondObject, theBod,ecorsrore likewisetactuallyconstituted,lot
example modied-Ttans. , thetouchinghnget,etaadentastendenFinger) ,
and,inaddition,theteatehngetstouchinghngets,FingedenFingertastend) .
Sohetewehavethatdoubleapptehensionthesametouch-sensationi s ap-
ptehendedasaleatuteoltheextetnal Objectandisapptehendedas asen-
sationolthe8odyasObject,desLei/O/ekts) de//etcosrore} . _And
inthecaseinwhichapattolthe8ody_dacorsrore becomesequallyan
extetnalObjectolanothetpatt _oaraneaatreartiedammecors ,wehave
thedoublesensation,eachpatthasitsownsensationsandthedoubleappte-
hension asleatuteoltheoneotoltheothet8odilypattasaphysicalobject.
,Hussetl,Ideas1, p. r , ,)
1his analysis oltouchmaytemptus tothinkthattheptivilegethatit
gtants the hand otthehngethas todointhe htst place withwhatsen-
tence;specih es,thatis,thecaseinwhichtheoneot. . . theothetod-
Exsm/ar,S/srisss/hsF/ssh'
ilypattasaphysicalobjectcantouchoneottheothetpattolthesame
body-otbetouchedbyit. es. Anditisalsottuethatthiscannotbesaid
aboutevetyextetnalpattolthebody. utwhyonlythehandandthehn-
getWhynotmylootandtoes Cantheynottouchanothetpattolmy
bodyandtouchoneanothetWhataboutthe lips, especiallyAllolthe
lipsonthelipsAndthetongueonthelipsAndthetongueonthepalate
andmanyothetpattsolmybody Howcouldonessa/withoutthis
,1hisquestionmetelyallowsmetopointtowatdsomeolthemostobvi-
ousissuesatstakeinthesechoices. )Andtheeyelidsintheblinkolaneye
And,ilwetakesexualdilletences into account, thesides oltheanal ot
genitalopeningSomebutnotallolthesequestionsatiseagainlatet,es-
peciallywhenHussetltakesupothetanima/ia, ptimalptesence _/rchi-
ssncs ,andapptesentations /rssn/a/isn} ,inchaptet, patagtaphs
;ll. , on lsychic RealityinEmpathy, whete the handandthe hnget
moteovetstillplay adominantpatt.
Oncemotethehand'sptivilegecanbeexplained,ilnotnecessatilyj us-
tihedWe canexplainitstitleolphenomenologicalnobility,andolnobil-
ityunadotned, byvittue olthe ptimacy olthe subobj ectivityj ustdis-
cussed,aswellasthesttictlyanthtopologicallimitsolthisphenomenology
andthisphenomenological momentinIdsasI lotall its ambition and
otiginality, phenomenologicalteductionhetedoesnotsuspendtheEgo's
humanapputtenanceotdetetmination,atleastnotinthepassagesthatin-
tetestushete.1hingsheteatesubtleandthestakesatesetiousenoughto
call lot ptudence andminute attention to detail, stickingto the text as
closely as possible. What inttoduces the section in which out passage
abouttouchcanbelound,1heConstitutionolAnimalNatute)isthe
dehnitionolaptojecttegatdingtheessenceolthesoul,thehumanotan-
imalsoul,dsMsnschsn sdsrIisrsss/s) , p. ,6)initsconnectionwiththe
bodyptopet,aptojectHussetlputsuedinmanyothettexts.ltisthusalso
a litetal tesumptionolthegteat ptoject olPsrisachs, lollowingaphe-
nomenologicalteduction, anditconcetnsthelivingotanimate being in
genetal-thusopeningontotheabyssalptoblemollile,phenomenology
as thinkingoltheliving,ttanscendentalityolthelivingptesent, andso
lotth. Alltoosoon, Hussetlsummonsup atigotousphenomenological
method,immediate,accomplished,andpetlect intuition ,s///smmsns
In/ai/isn)olthepsychical,otiginatyptesentingintuition_in/ai/isndsna-
/ricssriginairs} ,in outcase, expetience) , thesole loundinggtoundola
theotyevenilthistheotyisdetetminedasptedicativeinmediatethinking
Iangsn/II
,Hussetl, IdsasI p. ,6) . 8utvety soon, in thevetyname olthis phe-
nomenologicalintuitionism,theteisaneedlotthisgenetalptoject,which
seemed toconcetnevetyliving being ,humanotanimal) , to testtictitsell
tous,sincewephenomenologistsalonecanhaveanimmediate,lull,and
otiginatyintuitionolwhatweatetalkingabout.Andthis wewithout
anyttansitionisdetetminedaswe,men. 1heEgoheteisviewedasEgo
themanltomthemomentwhenonehasdistingishedtheteal _ss//} psy-
chicEgoltomthepute ,ttanscendental) Ego-something Hussetl does
heteexplicitlyinotdetto delimithis held-andltomthemomentwhen
thesaidsoulisboundtogethetwith8odilytealityotintetwovenwithit.
Atthemomentwhenheisannouncingthathewillstudythis linkandthe
constitutionolthis bodyptopetthatwehndundettheheadigempiti-
calEgo, ' which still needs clatihcation, well, saysHussetl ,who is not
tellingushowotwheteitcanbeloundandwhyitcanbeloundptecisely
undetthisname) , wehndlutthetmotealso _ndsn ainsaach the
unitylasman'h-Msnsch,sgshsmms) } . HussetspecihestheEgowhich
notonlyasctibestoitsellitslivedexpetiencesasitspsychicstatesandlike
wiseasctibestoitsellitscognitions, itsptopettiesolchatactet,andsimilat
petmanentqualitiesmanilestinitslivedexpetiences, butwhichalsodes-
ignates its odily qualities as its own and theteby assigns them to the
spheteoltheEgo _hShs} , Hussetl,IdsasI p. ,,) .
Altetdiscussingthis l as man, Hussetldoes lead us backtoaputely
psychic Ego, the one Descattes, in his matvelousMsdi/a/isns, gtasped
withtheinsightolgenius, thissubjectwhoentetsthesceneandexitsit
butisnotacquaintedwithbeingbotnandpetishing , pp. io,io) , this
puteEgothatmustbeabletoaccompanyallmyteptesentations, as Kant
says, onthecondition, Hussetl adds, thatonewidenthemeaningolthis
lattetwotdto include obscute consciousness, andsolotth , p. ;) .And
evenil,inthisexplotationoltheputeEgo,Hussetlcomestoconsidetthe
momentwhenitposits . . . amanandinhimahumanpetsonality_ans
sssnnshamains , p. /) , itisttuethatthewotlditsell,thetealoth c-
tivewotld,nomattet.eachandevetypossibleandphantasizablewotld) ,
as cottelate olthis pute Ego, lotthis puteEgo, isinlactnotnecessatily
human.ltisalsottuethatthedetetminationolthesa/s,chicsa/sc/
canaswelltelettoanylivingbeing,Hussetlsaysitexptessly. theanimal,
manotbeast ,p. iz?) . Nevettheless,ittemainsthatinthechaptetdedi
catedtolsychicRealityingenetal, patagtaphs;oto)q, pp.i z?;o) ,the
humansubjecthadalteadytakenupmoteandmotespaceandtheanimal
66 Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs /ssh'
was named onlyexceptionally, in allusionsandtecollections. Andabove
all, ittemains thatthelollowingchaptet ,chaptet;,1heConstitutionol
lsychicReality1htoughtheody, thechaptetinwhichliesinsctibedthe
analysis olthe tactile tealm thatintetests us, notablyinpatagtaphs;6to
|o) ,whichnattowstheheld, tutns outto beexptesslytesetved lotman,
andmotepteciselypsychic man,whichistosaymanasnatute. Hus-
setlhadj ustdistinguishedthepsychicEgo,theobjectolaputepsychol-
ogy, patallelingputettanscendentalphenomenology, which nonetheless
htswithinnatutal-scientihcexpetienceinabtoadsense,i . e. , withinthe
scienceolphysicalnatuteandoltheodily-psychicnatuteloundedinthe
physical)ltomthepetsonalotspititualEgointhewotldolspitit,object
olthespititualsciences _scisncssds /ssi/} , anobjectasawkwatd tode-
limitas thedilhcultdistinctionbetweenssa/andsii/ p ? ) .

We
thusapptoachthesenseoltouchinwhat dealswith theconstitutionol
manasnatute ,patagtaphs ;;l ) . Hussetl,olcoutse,whenhespeaksol
natutalteality, man ,Na/asa/i//Msnsch) ,doesnotlotgetthatnatutal
manpettainsto animals, andheadds, inpatentheses. ,otanimalbeing
_/za. anima/ischssssn ) . lndeed,alittlelattheton, hesays evenmote
pteciselythatthepointoldepattutelotoutconstitutiveanalysis,withits
entiteintuitivecontenthastobetelatedtoanimalsubjects _anima/ischs
Sa/s//s} . utnotonlyatethetenevetanysetiousteletencestoanimals
otexamplesdtawnltoma nonhumanwotldhete,tightaltettheseauto-
maticptecautionscomestheconhtmation-whichstandstoteason-that
thesoleobjectoltheseanalysesistheconstitutionolthenatutalObject,
man. ' 1hischoicecanbesx/ainsd ilnotalwaysj ustihed,in/hssways.
J. tetall,why not cut out in theanimal held in genetal anotiginal
object,avetyoiginalone,man,andconstitutesuchaphenomenological
anthtopology:1heteis nothingunspeakablyshamelulotunjustihablein
this-ontheconttaty
2. 1heteisnoothetchoice,andthendilhcultiesset in) when the ptin-
cipleolptinciples, intuitionism,phenomenologyitsell, commandsusto
commencewithus, theEgomostss, mss/sxima/s,andmostss
sxima/s-sellptesentothetwisethanbyinditectapptesentation,which
isaquestionboachedinthelollowingchaptet,beginningwithpatagtaph
|;, without any mote explicit teletence to othet animals, howevet, but
tathettotheothetman) .lnanycase,thedetetminationasmanolthis
Iangsn/II
puteEgothatweate,as neattousas canbe,comesbelotethemosttad-
icalphenomenologicalteduction, the one thatsuspendsthethesisolthe
wotldingenetal.
). 1hisphenomenologyolthepsychical,theliving,theanimateingen-
etal ,menandbeasts)nevetseemstosuspendansa/aa/isn,ateleological
philosophyollile. llHussetlstattswithman,beitmanasanatutalliving
being, ilheonlyspeaksolmanhete, itis not onlybyvittueolanotdet
amidphenomenologicalteasons,itisnotonlybyvittueolamethodolog-
icalotdetanswetingthequestion.Wheteisonetobeginilnotwithwhat
isclosesttowhoasksthequestionhete:-thisnecessityhadalsoimposed
itsellonHeideggetinSsinandZsi/.No. llHussetbeginswithman,man
asanatutallivingbeing,ilheonlyspeaksolmanhete,itisalsobyteason
olateleologicalhietatchyotanaxiologicalscale.lnttuth,itwillalwaysbe
dilhculttosepatatephenomenologyand teleologyattheitvetytoots. ll
we neededptoololthis, inthis context, allwewouldhavetodoistead
thebeginningolpatagtaphq) onthegivennessolothetanimalia. ' Al-
tethe hasdesignatedtheotiginallygivenzia, includingmen, tational'
livingbeings) , aethehastecalledtheidentityolnatutelotallmenand
animalsandeven admitted social connections ,ltiendships,mattiages,
unions)betweenmenandbetweenanimals,thisallusiontoanimalsgoes
handinhandwithahietatchicalevaluation. Socialconnectionsate in-
stituted , gss/s/) between men, says Hussetl , and in patentheses he
adds. ,onthelowestlevel,alteadybetweenanimals _innisdss/sS/a
schsnzaischsnIissn ) . ln thissecondsection, on 1he Constitutionol
AnimalNatute,henevetsays mote,itseemstome. ltstandstoteason
thatanimalswetenotatissueinthehtstsection,onMatetialNatute,
nomote,alottioti, thaninthethitdsection, ontheSpititualWotld.

,Except, ptecisely, in anothetpatenthesis, as ilths inclusion olanimals

amongthelivingalwayshadtotemainbetweenpatentheses, excluded-
included, thetelote,bypatenthesesuntelatedto the btacketingbetween
patenthesesotquotationmatksolphenomenologicalteduction. con-
sidetagainsii/aa//iing/sings, thosebeingsanimatedinaspecialsense,
i . e. , humanbeings,butolcoutseallanimalsateincluded), Hussetl,Idsas
Ip. z;i) .Andthen,all thatlutthetcomesintoquestionexplicitlyisman,
the apptehension olaman ,MsnschsnAassang, disAassangdisss
Psssn, etc. ) , his esh h lledwith thesoulthtough and thtough ,ibid. ,
p. z;z) ,andnolongetolthesaidanimals.
i ? Exsm/aS/sisss/hs /ssh''
ThegenetalotganizationoltheseS/adissin/hsPhsnsmsns/sgssn-
s/i/a/isncottespondslutthetmotetoanatchitectuteandateleologythat
ate classical mattet, lile,spitit. And concetningl ile, whetethe sense ol
touchisinquestion ,letuscomebacktoit) ,itisptacticallymanonlythat
comes into question, andespeciallythehngets olthe humanhand. 1he
animalnevetsetiouslycomesup,thoughitisalivingbeing-noteven
the bodyptopetolanimalswhose membets ototgans tesemble hands,
andevenwithh ngets'Andwhataboutoppottunitieslotsomanyhand-
lessanimalstotouchandbetouchedincountlessways'
Let us now tetead this analysis oltouch at thepointwhetewe intet-
tupteditandplannedtosituateitintheatchitectuteolthewholewotk.
Heteate,again,htstolall,the/hssstagesolthispassage.
| luthetactualtealmwehavetheexterna/O/ect, tactuallycoustituted,aud
asecoudObject,theBod, ecotpsptopte| ,likewisetactuallycoustituted,lot
example modihed-Ttaus. | ,thetouchiughuget,etaadentastendenFinger) ,
aud,iuadditiou,theteatehugetstouch|ughugets ,Finge denFingertastend) .
zSohetewehavethatdoubleappteheusiouthesametouch-seusatioui s ap-
pteheuded asaleatuteolthe extetual Objectaudisappteheudedas aseu-
satiouolthe8odyasObject,desLei/-O/ekts) _de/'o/etcorsrore . _Aud
iuthecaseinwhichapattolthe8ody_dacorsrore} becomesequallyau
extetualObjectolauothetpattoaraneaatreartiedammecors} , wehave
thedoubleseusatiou ,each patthasitsowuseusatious)audthedoubleappte-
heusiouasleatuteoltheoueotoltheothet8odiypattasaphysicalobject.
,Hussetl,IdeasII p. t ,,)
1heptivilegeolthehandseemsallthemotedilhculttoanalyzeandj us-
ti,sincetwohetetogeneous,possiblyconttadictoty,impetativesheteseem
to command the exception. On the onehand-wehavealteady noted
this-asapointoldepattutelottheanalysisolthebodyptopet, itishtst
amattetolthepetceptionolansx/sna/thingdetetminedasans/sc/, an
extetnal object, j ustas thetewill bean intetnalobjectaswell. Onthe
othethand, in this s/sc/a/sttuctuteolapptehension,as we shallveti,
Hussetlisvetymuchsetondesctibingthesxisspecihcity,and thete-
lotemoteimmediatelyego-phenomenologicalquality) olthesensationol
the/iingbodyss, anditssellsensing. Andinthistegatd, whatis
possiblelottouch,andthehanddoesindeedshowthismsssasiqthanthe
lips,thetongue,theeyelids,ottheanalotgenitalopening) isinnoway
possible lot sight ot heating ,whose dihetence Hussetl then examines,
Iangsn/II
withoutbroachingthesensesolsmellortasteatthispoint) .Andalmostall
theresourcesoltheanalysisthatcomesaerthepassagej ustcitedarespent
inthedemonstrationolthisreHexive,orego-phenomenological,excellence
oltouch, the demonstration oltheabsolute andincomparable unity ol
touch.1hiswilllaterleadto a radical and unequivocal conclusion itis
onlythanks to touchthatthere is a bodyproper, ormorepreciselythe
bodyproper becomes asd,_zamLsi/aid} onlyby incorporating
tactile_si} sensations imA//as/sn} , inshort, bythelocalizationolthe
sensationsassensations , Husserl,IdsasI pp. i;?;,) . loralterHusserl
has described the dsa//sashsnsisn proper to touch, hemoves on at
once, emphasizing,withan energythatmarksthewholechapter.utin
thecaseolanO/sc/csns/i/a/sdasqisaa/qwehavens/hingcomparable
hnlicheshabenwirnich/beimsin isas//sich/sns/i/aissndsn O/s//}
,ibid , p ;;) .
Husserlatoncepushes aside avirtualobj ection. lndeed,somepeople
mightletthemselvesbetemptedbyatactilistinterpretationolsight.We
have encountered manytemptations olthis type in the Cartesian, pre-
Cartesian,andpost-Cartesiantraditionsdowntothiscenturyandevenal-
terHusser1his is alacileapproach,which Husserchallengesoutright.
accordingtohim,thereisnothinginthisbutawayolspeaking,ameta-
phor,ananalogicalconlusiondevoidolphenomenologicalrigor 1obe
sure, sometimes itissaid mansag/zaami/an/s} thattheeyeis, as it
were,intouchwiththeObj ect _/as/s/ssg/sichsama/,/s/sachs,saainsi
dis) } bycastingitsglanceoverit. utweimmediatelysense i. e. , remark,
notice-1rans thedillerence a/saims/snss/dsn |n/sschisd}
,Husser,IdsasII p i;;) .
Whatdiherence:elorelrepeatthisquestion,letm e insisto n thereach
olthisgesture.Dareonesay,bywayolillustration, thatwhatthequestion
hasinviewhastodowitheverythingthatpreoccupiesushere:Orthatit
touchesoneverythingthatisatstakeandmatterstousinthisbook:Hus-
sersidsn/qknowswhattouchingmeansssqspeaking,thisheunder-
standsandis intent onknowing, andhepositsthat, inorderto besolid
andconsistent,aseriousphilosophicaldiscoursemustonprinciplerelerto
thisstrictsense,whichisalsocommonsense.everyoneknowswhattouch-
ingmustmean,intheend, andknowsthatnoonehasevertouchedany-
thingwithhisorhereyesArigorousphilosopher,aresponsiblephenom-
enologistshouldresistthehguresoleverydaylanguagewithitsasandas
, g/sichsam) he must resist them and recall us to evidence itsell theeye
Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs ''F/ssh'
mightactasittouchedbutweimmediatelytematkthedihetence.aneye
nevettouches.
lsthisdilletencematkedinthelanguageandthelinguisticandcultutal
tealm olattaditionalsemantics:t,asHussetlseemstoimply,isitinthe
thingsthemselves,intheunivetsalizableintuitionolthethingsthemselves,
beloteanydiscoutseandlinguisticexpetience, evenbeloteanymatk,be-
loteanyothetdilletence,beloteanylanguageandcultute:Whoexactly
isthis we olwhomHussetlsays, betwitmetkensoloden ntet-
schied, utweimmediatelysense _smaqasnsthedilletence:Letthis
temain an openquestionsinceitovetdetetminestheentiteobjectolthis
book,asitwete. uttocomebacktoHussetl,letusaskoutselves.what
dilletenceexactly:Whatdilletencewouldwebeledtonoticeandtematk
withoutdelay:
ltisthedilletenceoladelect,adelectinsight. motethanonceHussetl
designateswhatis deniedus, andthus missing ,ss h), inseeing com-
patedtotouching.1o wit,theeyeisnotseenbytheeye,notimmsdia/sq
seen by theeye it doesnotappeatvisually,dasAugeetscheintnichtvi-
suel) .lnanotebothdetetmininganddetetmined,aswellasdating,Hus-
setldismissesanymediationbymittots,whichmightyieldthepetception
oltheseeneye,tobesute,butinnowaymyeye,thatwhichseesqaasee-
ing monilvoyantentantquevoyant ,meinAuge,dassehendealsse-
hende),ibid. , p. ;;) . 1henatcissisticotspeculatsituationwouldbtingme
laceto lacewithsomething, aneye, thatinditectly, bywayolempa-
thy andbyaninletentialjudgment,ljudgetobeidenticalwithmyeye
asathing,dasDing-Aag) _/achsssi/,whichismins,thatistosay,lotex-
ampleot apptoximately,s/aa, Hussetlsays again) ,thisthingconstituted
asminebytouch,etwadutch1astensichkonstituietenden)inthesame
waythatlseetheeyeolanothet,ebensowieichdasAugeeinesAndeten
sehe) .lnothetwotds,whethetitistechnicalotappeatingasnatutal, this
mediation olthemittot,whichdoes not belongto mybodyptopet, be-
comes technical by teason ptopetly olthe inditection it inttoduces. lt
placesmelacingmyowneyesas illacingtheeyesolanothet, whileap-
pealingtoptocessesolempathyotanalogicalapptesentationdeptivedol
anylull,otiginal,andimmediateintuition. Letusinitiallyj usttetainone
amongthehugeptoblemstaisedbythisnote,concetningintheh tstplace
-inHussetl'seyes,inthiscontext-thedilletencebetweentheeyesand
thehngetsolthehand,betweensightandtouch.1hisdilletencebetween
thetwosensesliesinthesell-telationoltouch,andtheteloteitstehexive
Iangsn/II I I
phenomenologicalevidence) ,whichi s immsdia/s sn/ansss, disc/, in
/i/is,andwithoutequivalentinamirrorormediation,technicalornat-
ural-butalways technical becausealways bymeansforeign to thebody
proper,bydintofanintruder, evenif, ontheoutside,itisbywayofa
natural rehectioninthewaterofalake) .1heself-relationoftouch,there-
fore,actswithoutempathyoranalogicalappresentationwhenltouchmy-
selfwithmyhandorhngerthereisneitheranyhapticalmirroreffect,asit
were, noranyinsinuationofalterity. ln touchingmyselsincel immedi-
atelyandsimultaneouslyfeelfromtheinside, ifl maysayso, boththe
touchingandthetouched,followingHusserl, l shouldnotbeabletosay
inthesamewayas theskinorthehandorthehngerofanother,which
lcouldandshoulddointhecaseoftheeye-myeye,whenllookatitin
amirrorinthesamewaythatl seetheeye ofan other ,ebensowieich
dasAugeeinesderensehe) .
1hish ne-tunesaseriesofpropositionsalltendingtomarkhowsightat
thesame timedependson touch andfailswithregardtoit, andthecrite
rioncomesdowntoanexperienceoflocalization. 1heeyeisnotseenand
colorsensationscannotbelocalizedrightin _mcms} the seeingeye, or
rightintheeyeappearingvisually, aswouldbethecaseforthetouched
objectperceivedrightonthetouchinghand.
W edo uothaveakiudolexteudedocculatity _sic such that,bymoviug,
oueeyecouldtubpasttheothetaudptoducethepheuomeuouoldoubleseu
satiou. Neithetcauwe seetheseeuthiugas glidiugovettheseeiugeye,cou
tiuuallyiucoutactwithit,/erhrend) ,aswecauiuthecaseolatealot-
gauoltouch,lotexamplethepalmolthehaud,glideovettheobjectothave
theobjectslip past thehaud.l do uot see mysell, my8ody,thewayl touch
myselWhatl call theseeu8odyisuotsomethiugseeiugwhichis seeu, the
waymy8odyas touched8odyissomethiugtouchiugwhichistouched,aie
meinLei/a/sgetasteterLei/getastetes Iastendesist) commemoncorsen tant
qaecorstoachestantoachanttoach .Avisualappeatauceolauobjectthat
sees,i . e. , oueiuwhichtheseusatiouollightcouldbeiutuitedj ustasitisiuit
,indemdieLichtemndangangeschaatairda/sinihmseiend)thatisdeuied
us. Thuswhatweatedeuiedisauaualogoutothetouch seusatiou, whichis
acuallygtaspedalougwith,mit) enmmetems thetouchiughaud ,Hus-
se,IdeasI pp.i,,-,6)
Whatsightismissing,insum, isthepossibilityofadoublesensation,
andmorepreciselyadoublesensationfullyintuitive,direct,andsynchro-
nous.1helrenchtranslationintroducesatthesametime _snmcms/sms}
I ,2 Exsm/ar,S/srisss/hs F/ssh
lotmi/,anditseemsj ustih ed
'
itispetlectlylaithlultothewholedtiltol
theatgument.The local coincidencethatisimpottantlotHussetlinthe
touching-touched pait is gtoundedina tempotal coincidence meantto
give ititsintuitiveplenitude,which istosayits dimensionolditect im-
mediacy. ,Letuskeepinmindthisquestionoltime. thispassage,whete
localization isthemainconcetn,isnot thematizingitbut onlytteating
itviapatalipsiswe'llgetbacktothisinamoment. lotilonequestions
thisabsolutesima//ansi/,olthetouchingandthetouched-andtheactive
andthepassive-lotan immediateandditect intuition, this whole atgu-
ment tisksbecomingltagile.)Coincidence,intuitiveplenitude,ditect im-
mediacy-thatis,accotdingto Hussetl,whatchatactetizestheexpetience
olthetouchingtouched.1hedependenceolsightisthusmatked, inad-
ditiontoits lailings. lltheeyeandthevisualsensationsateatttibutedto
the8ody, thathappensindirsc/q/, msansstheptopetlylocalizedsen-
sations,my emphasis|. D. ) , whichistosaytactileones.
Actually,theeye,too,isaeldollocalizatioubutonrtoachsensationssea/e-
mentoar/essensationsdecontact ,aud,like evetyotgaulteelymovedbythe
subject,itisaeldollocalizedmuscleseusatious.lt|sau Objectoltouchlot
the haud, itbelougs otigiuallytothemetelytouched,auduotseeu,Objects.
Otigiually originairement isuotusedeteiuatempotal-causalseuse,ithas
todow|thaptimalgtoupolObjectscoustitutedditectlyiuiutuitiou,direkt
anschaa/ich) .he eye cau be touched, aud ititsellptovidestouchaudkiuetic
seusatious, thatiswhyitisuecessatilyappetceivedas belougiugtothe8ody.
,usset,IdeasII p. r , 6)
1hesameappliestohsaring, Hussetladdstheteupon,withoutconceal-
ingthegenetalandptogtammaticchatactetolthesedistinctions.Thelol-
lowingpagesconhtmwhatHussetlhimselltetmsaptivilege ,orzag)ol
thelocalizationoltactilesensationsachthingthatweseeistouchable
and,assuch,pointstoanimmediatetelationtotheody, thoughitdoes
notdosoinvittueolitsvisibility. Asa/sc/ahssssnqssnssaas/hsssnss
sisisncsa/dns/a/a/hasanasaringsd, . . . . ltcannotbesaidthat
thissubjectwhoonlyseesseeshis8ody . . . 1he8odyassuchcanbecon-
stitutedotiginatilyonlyintactuality,Hussetl,IdsasI p. ;?) .
Theconhtmationolthis ptivilegecomeslotthaltetthe mostdicult
and-inthispassage,atleastlotme-mostobscutemomentolthisanaly-
sisanditsindisputablenecessity, complexity, andespeciallyltiendlyopen-
mindednesstowatdthemotesubtlyloldedpleatsolthephenomenological
Ingsn/II ;
expetience.uthetewemaybei noneolthezoneswhetephenomenology
itsell,withoutbeingpowetless,disqualihed,otsimplytefuted,meetsthe
sttongesttesistancevis--vistheauthotityofitsintuitionisticptincipleof
ptinciples. Howcanwe situatethisdifhculty, andobscutity, andtesis-
tance:Well,ptecisely,itmaybeintheplacewheteplace,localization,and
extensionateatissue.We havealteadyencounteted the assettion thatthe
eyeis aheldollocalization onlylot contact sensations, as an objectof
touchlotthehand. Now,atthepointwhete Hussetlptoposesinapto
gtammaticlashiontosecutesomebtoaddistinctions, hedtawsinptin-
ciple a botdetline between two topological expetiences, ina way-be-
tweenthelocalizationolsensings imsssisnsssnsi//ss} andtheextension
ofthematetialdetetminationsofathing.Evenilinitswayasensibleim-
ptessionotsensingspteadsoutovetspatialsutlacesthatitcovetsottuns
thtough,evenilitthusoccupiesaplace, itsspteadingout ,Aas/si/ang)
_d/sismsn/} andspteadinginto,Hin/si/ang) _saga/isn}issomething
othetthan,somethingthatdilletsessentiallyltomthesx/snsisn,Aasdsh-
nang) thatchatactetizesthe sssx/snsa.
We atethusedgingintoazoneolspatiality-ilnotextension-ofthe
s,chs, sinces,chicsa/i/,hetefotmstheexplicittheme,ottheonlyone,
in lact, ofthisphenomenologyofthebodyptopet. Andsowelitetally
again hnd the places ftomwhich we mayhave seemed to havemoved
away-acettainsachlteud'sotNancy's. lsycheisausgedehnt,weiss
nichtsdavon. Whetedoestheanalogystop:1hatisoneofoutquestions.
1heteateaphenomenologicalsutlace andan intetiotityofthehand,
buttheyatetadicallyhetetogeneouswithtegatdtothespaceandthesa/
_ss/ qualitiesolthe touchedthing, and even to the sa/qualitiesolthe
hand. lhenomenological teduction, atleastimplicitly, assutesusolthis
hete.1hesensingwhichspteadsovetthesutfaceofthehandandextends
into itis notateal _ss/} qualityolathing. . . suchas . . . thetoughness
olthehand,itscolot,etc. , Husset
'
IdsasII p. ;) .
Whete canwesituatetheptincipal ctitetionlot this difletence:Real
_ss/} qualitiesconstitutethemselvesbywayofasensuousschema and
maniloldsofadumbtations _ansma//i/ici/d'ssqaissss} wheteas tactile
sensings,whichimplyneithetadumbtationsnotschematizations,have
nothingatall todowith thesensuousschema.1hetouch-sensing_/'im-
sssisnssnsi//s /ac/i/s} is notas/a/solthe matetial thing, hand ,Das
/| Exsm/,S/sisss/hs F/ssh"
1astemphndnis ist nichtZas/anddesmatetiellenDingesHand) ,ibid. ,
p. i ;/)

Hussetisintentongtoundingthe ptivilege ofthetactileintheconsti

tutionofthebodyptopetontheptopetlyphenomenologicalnecessityof
this distinction Now, itisbettettotemainvetycloseto thelettetofthe
textbefotewe askthequestions seeminglytaisedbythesassningotthe
agamsn/towhichthisnetwotkofphenomenologicalevidencegivestise,
befote we question the demonsttative ptocedutes otthe theses that, in
ttuth,seeminglyactinadvanceaspatasitesotcontaminantsofthealleged
desctiption.etushtstofallquotetheconsequencethatHussetlptoposes
todtawftomthisdistinctioninspeakingof/hshanditself,s/sndisHand
selbst) , ofwhatcomestopassotwhatI senseonthissutfaceofthehand
,aa disssandchs) , andaboveallwhatlcansay, ftomthete, l, the
subjectoftheody
Thetouch-seusiug|suotastateolthematetial thiug, haud, butispteciselythe
handitseq,e/endie Haudselbst),whichlotusismotethauamatetialthiug,
audthewayiuwhchitismiueeutailsthat l, thesubjectolthe8ody ,das
Sa/ektdesLei/es") ,causaythatwhatbelougsto thematetialthiugis its,uot
miue. lseusiugspettaiu to my soul, evetythiugexteuded to the matetial
th|ug. Onthissutlaceolthehaud seusethe seusatious oltouch,etc.dit
ispteciselythetebythatthissutlacemauilestsitsellimmediatelyasmy8ody.
Ouecau addheteaswell. illcouviucemysellthatapetceivedthiugdoesuot
ex|st,thatlamsubjecttoauilusiou,theu,alougwith,mit) enmmetems
the thiug, eveythiugexteuded iu its exteusiou is sttickeu out too. 8ut the
seusiugsdo uotdisappeat. Oulywhatisrea/teell|vauishesltombeiug.
Couuectedto theptivilegeolthelocalizatiouolthetouchseusatiousate
dilleteucesiuthecomplexiouolthevisual-tactualappteheusious.Lachthiug
thatweseeistouchable. ,Hussetl,IdeasH pp.r,;,)
! I
Wecouldthenotientacettainnumbetofquestionsindiffetentditec-
tions,andsuchquestions-allpteliminatyones-willheteotganizethem-
selvesinthedetetminedpetspectivethatis outs. betweenthemodetntta-
dition ofhaptologyandthe thinkingotpondetingoftouchaccotdingto
Nancy,weshallbegintodiscetntheplacesandmodesinwhichthelattet's
thinkingpettains tothefotmetbutalsobteaksawayftomit.
1hetewasagoodteasonfotthechoiceoftheexampleofthehand,as
thetewasfotthestattingpointoftheanalysisin the extetnalObject,tac-
tuallyconstituted.To wit,acettainsx/sisiishetetogeneouswithtegatd
'
Iangsn/II i/ ;
tothesensingo r sensibleimpression,bei t real ss//} ,beit,asHusserlre
calls, arealopticalpropertyolthehand) andita/ass-thatis, it,the
exteriorityperceivedasreal) mas/evenpartakeoltbe experience olthe
touching-touched, andolthe doubleapprehension,evenilitisinahy-
lomorphicornoetico-noematiclashion,eveninthecaseolillusions.With-
outanoutsideanditsrealqualityolathing announcingitsellinthesen-
sibleimpressionorsensing,alreadywithinitshyleticcontent,theduplicity
olthisapprehensionwouldnotbepossible.1hisexteriorityisneededthis
loreign outsideis needed-loreign to the touching andthe touched
sidesolthephenomenological impressionatthesametime, therewhere
thelatterdoesnotoheritsellinsketchyadumbrations. ,Moreover-letus
pauseatthislastpointloramoment-ilinimmanentandphenomeno-
logicalperceptionthereisneveranysketchyadumbration,aslorthemate-
rialandtranscendentthing,nomoresketcheslorwhatollersitselltosight
thantotouch, thenthecriterionlortheprevalenceoloneovertheother
seemsmoreproblematicthanever, atleastinthisoneolthebody,Lsi/)
proper's immanentproperness,olwhichHusserlis studyingtheconstitu-
tionandanalyinghrstthe solipsistic moment. )1hisdetourbywayol
the loreign outside, no matterhow subtle, lurtive, and elusive, is at the
sametimewhatallowsustospeakoladouble apprehension ,otherwise
therewouldbeonethingonly.onlysometouchingoronlysometouched)
andwhatallowsmetoundergothetestolthissingularexperienceanddis-
tinguish between the l and the nonl , and to saythis is mybody, or,
quotingHusserhimsell, todrawtheconsequencethatl , thesubjectol
theody, 'cansaythatwhatbelongstothematerialthingisits,notmine.
lorthat, iti snecessarythatthespaceolthematerialthing-likeadiller-
ence, likethe heterogeneityolaspacing-slipbetween thetouchingand
thetouched, sincethetwoneithermustnorcancoincideilindeedthereis
tobeadoubleapprehension. Nodoubt, inthesensibleimpressionorsens-
ing,l-stilll-amthetouchingandthe touched, butilsomenot-l ,ma-
terialthing, real ss/ space,extension,as opposed tophenomenological
spreadingoutandspreadinginto, andsolorth) didnotcometoinsinu-
ate itsellbetweentbe touchingand the touched, l wouldnotbeableto
positmysellasl, andsay,asHusserlsays) ,1hisisnotl,thisisl,laml .
Andi t i s there, preciselybecauseolsx/snsis, becauseolvisibilityandthe
possibilityatleastlorthehandtobeseen,evenilitisnotseen,apossibil-
ityinvolvedinthephenomenologicalcontentolthesensibleimpression) ,
thatmanualtouching-evenj usttouchingmyotherhand-cannotbere-
!
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh'
duced toaputeexpetienceolthe putelyptopetbody. 1his would hypo-
theticallybethecaselottheheatttouching,howevet,buteventhatisnot
socettain) ,andHussetlspeaksolitinthelollowingchaptet.Whathesays
aboutthis then isimpottantlotus, lot/assetsolteasonsatleast.
A1hehtstteasonsateatchitectonical, inaway. lnchaptetq, Hussetl
btoachesthegteatquestionolempathyintheconstitutionoltheteality
lasMan. 1o thatend,asinthepteviouschaptettowhichlhavej ustte-
letted,hetakesuphisstattingpointagaininwhathetetmssolipsisticex-
petience, theonewhetewedo notattainthegivennessoloutsellas a
spatialthinglikeallothets,agivennesswhichcettainlyismanilestinout
lactualexpetience) notthatolthenatutalObj ect,man' ,animalbeing) ,
whichwecametoknowascottelateolthenatutalisticattitude,amatet-
ial thing upon which the highetsttataolwhatisspecihcallyanimalate
builtandintowhichtheyate,inacettainway, insetted, inttojected' in-
/sizis/ sind , Hussetl,IdsasII p. 6,) . '
l quotethislongpassagebecauselwouldlatetliket osuggestthatwe
alteady have to ptesuppose this inttojection in the expetience tetmed
solipsistic olthemanualtouching-touched,wheteitisalteadyatwotk.
, Hussetlsituatestheinttojectionasalateanduppetlayetolexpetience,
as anextingmomentoutolsolipsism. )Howcouldtheduplicityolthe
doubleapptehensionappeatwithoutthebeginningolsuchan inttojec-
tion AllthisshouldleadtotheteptoblematizationolwhatHussetlas-
settsinsuchasttingandenigmaticwayattheendolpatagtaphq], about
the gtammat that would beht the exptession olpute, putelyptopet,
putelysolipsistic,psychiclile,beloteanyinttojection,andthusabout
anobjectivitywhichispteciselydoubleandunitaty_dss/sinhsi//ichsCs-
gsns/nd/ich/si/} . theman-withoutinttojection. '
Hencethequestion.whetedoesinttojectionbeginWhati sonespeak-
ingol,andhowcanonespeakolit,whentheteisn'tanyinttojectionyetat
allCanthetebeatandom,pute, immediate,not-spaced-outin-itsellphe-
nomenologicalintuition,olthis thing thatseems todeanygtammat
lltheteissomeinttojectionandthussomeanalogicalapptesentationstatt-
ingatthe thtesholdolthetouching-touched,thenthetouching-touched
cannotbeaccessiblelotan otiginaty, immediate, andlullintuition,any
motethanthealtetego.We atehetewithinthezoneoltheimmenseptob-
lemolphenomenologicalintetsubjectivity,oltheothetandoltime) ,and
lshallnotte-unlutlitonceagain.Letmemetelytevivethequestionhete.
shouldn't a cettain inttojective empathy, a cettain intetsubj ectivity, al-
Iangsn/II i //
teadyhaveinttoducedanothetandananalogicalapptesentationintothe
touching-touchedlotthetouching-touchedtogivetisetoanexpetienceol
thebodyptopetallowingonetosay,itisl, thisismybody:
. Letusnotlotgetthatitisinthesaid solipsisticspheteoltheexpe-
tienceolthebodyptopetthatHussetlhtstptoposesalltheseanalyses,ol
manualtouchingaswellasolHszgshtheheattsensationolthelot
example, l leelmyheatt' z. . ichemphndemeinHetz') .Now, letus
evensuppose,as Hussetlseemsto do, thatonemaytetain an l leelmy
heattwithinthisspheteolapputtenanceotsolipsisticptopetness,letus
supposethatthis lleelmyheattispossibleevenbelotelcansayit,since
saying italteady ptesupposes the gtammat ola bteak in the solipsistic
sphete,abteakasgtammat, evenilitisonlytomysellthatlsayit , ut
isn'tgtammat,whichisalsoa/schnlikethethotic,tobeloundtheteal-
teadyalteadyitteduciblyannouncedinthepossibilityolthislocal-
ization, thisphenomenologicaldistinctionolplaces,thatHussetltecalls:
Hedoessoallthetimetospeakoltouchanddiscetnthistouched,and
notseenphenomenological localization,whichis distinctltomthespa-
tial,objectivedetetminationsolsx/snsis.)Well,evenwithinthishypothe-
sisolanimmediatelleelmyheatt,aputely,ptopetlysolipsistic heatt
sensation, Hussetlnevetdatesspeakitstandstoteason-olthis dou
bleapptehensionolthetouching-touched,whichheanalyzedeatlieton
andptohtablydtewltomsoas toassetttheptivilegeoltouch.ndso,
theteisacettainembattassmentwhenitislutthetamattetolconnecting
withtouchanexample ,lleelmyheatt) thatillusttatesbettetthanthe
handtheleeling,whichishtstsolipsistic,olabodyptopet.Fis/s/ags.ln
thecaseolthesolipsisticsubjectwehave thedistinctiveh eldoltouchin
co-ptesencewiththeappeatingodilysutlaceand, inunionwith that,
theheldolwatmth, insecondplacewehavetheindetetminatelocaliza-
tionolthecommonleelings ,Csmsinghs) _ac/scsmmans} ,thespiti-
tualonesaswell)and,lutthet,thelocalizationoltheintetiotoltheody,
msdia/sd,smi//s//) _mdia/iss} myemphasis|.D. bythelocalization
oltheheldoltouch , Hussetl,IdsasII pp. i/;
/|) .
lemphasizedmediated,smi//s) heteagainitimpliesthatthislocal
izationismediated/, msanssatactilelocalization,whichwouldbeim-
mediate.1hisputpottedimmediacyoltouchcomesintoquestion, imme-
diately aetwatd, in the ollowing sentence-thesssnds/ags-tb the
exampleoltheheatt. lotexample,lleelmyheatt. ' Whenlptessthesut-
Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh'
laceolthe odyatoundtheheatt,'l discovet,sotosay,this heattsensa-
tion,' anditmaybecomesttongetandsomewhatmodihed.ltdoesnotit-
sellbelongtothetouchedsutlace,butitisconnectedwithit,ibid. ,p. i/|) .
otteasonsthatatenowevident, heattemptstohndagaintheintetnal
ptopettyolthebodyptopet,andthemostsolipsisticpossible) , Hussetlis
alteady keen on connecting this heatt sensation with the expetience ol
touch, evenilthesensationdoesnotitsellbelongtothetouchedsutlace
_sacs/ac/i/s} . ut sincethete is no doubleapptehension thete , pte-
cisely because the touching-touched then seems-sccs, indeed-abso-
lutelytobeinunionwiththatnelaisantqu'unaveclui andthenseems
topettaintosomeinctedibletouchingwithoutanytactilesutlace) ,Hussetl
hastohndaphaseotanintetmediatesttatumoltouchinotdettouphold
hisdemonsttation,andthete,ai/hm,handltouchtheinsideolmybody
byleeling/hsaghasutlace.1hetebegins,inthisplace,tobesomesut-
lace,andthetelotesometouching,inasttictetsense,butalso,withsutlace,
somevisibility, even ilthevisibleinlacteludes actualsight. Likewise, il
l not only simply contact the sutlace olmy ody but ptess on it mote
sttongly, ptessintotheesh ,dasF/sischsindac/s) i. e. , withmytouching
hnget leelthtough'to mybones otinnetotgans ,justas, similatly, with
othetbodies _Kcs} lleelthtoughtotheitinnetpatts) ,ibid. ) .
t-/hids/ags-etheimmediateheattsensation ,intetnaltouch
withoutanyvisiblecotpotealsutlace) ,altetthehallvisiblemanualtouch
thatleelsthtough asutlace,heteisthetoucholthehandvisibleltom
bothsides, thetouchingandthetouched.
8esides,solipsisticallythetebelougstoevetypositiouolmyeyesauimage
aspect,ein B/d"-Hsekt) oltheseeuobjectaudthusauimageoltheotieuted
euvitoumeut.8utalsoiuthecaseoltouchiugauobject,thetebelougstoevety
positiouolmhaudaudhugetacottespoudiugtouch-aspect,ein Iast-Hsekt)
oltheobject,j ustas, ou theothetside, thete isatouch-seusatiouiu thehuget,
etc. audobviouslytheteisvisuallyacettaiuimageolmytouchiughaudaud
itstouchiugmovemeuts.lthisisgiveutomemysellasbelougiugtogethetiu
co-pteseuce , rmichse//stinKomrsenzzasammengehcriggege/en) audis
theuttauslettedovetiuempathy.theothet'stouchiughaud,whichlsee,app
teseutsto mehis solipsisticviewolthishaud audtheualso evetythiugthat
mustbelougtoitiupteseutihedco-pteseuce,incergegenartigerKomrsenz) .
Yettotheappeatauceoltheothetpetsouthetealsobelougs,iuadditiouto
whathasbeemeutioued,theiutetiotityolpsychicacts /inhrisi/es,chiqae
de/acte . ,ibid.)

Iangsn/II i
/,
Thislastexample,thevisiblehandtouchingavisibleobject) dehnesthe
typicalsituationuponwhichHussetlestablishestheptivilegeoltouchin
thesttong sense-as thepossibilityoldoubleapptehension . touching-
touched.Andthispossibility, whichdependsonthehandotinanycasea
visible patt olmy body, ptesupposes a sutlace, the visibility olit, and
,then,nn, saysHussetl. butwemaywondetwhatj ustihesthissucces-
sion)thepossibilityolmovingtowatdempathyandtheinditectapptesen-
tationoltheothetman'sss/asss.etmequotethispassageagain.. . . and
isthenttanslettedovetinempathy.theothetstouchinghand,whichlsee,
apptesentstomehissolipsisticviewolthishandandthenalsoevetything
thatmustbelongtoitinptesentihedco-ptesence, . . . and gsh/dannindis
Einah/anga/sdis/as/sndsHanddssAndssn, disichsshs, assn/is/
midisss/isis/ischsAnsich/disssHandanddanna//ss, aasn sgsgsn-
a/igsKsmssnzdazagshcsnmass) . ,ibid.)
Henceoutquestionilthissssi/i/i/,olapptesentativeempathy,olindi-
tectotanalogicalaccess, alteadypattakesolthesolipsisticmoment -be
itasavittualitybutthusalsoasanssssn/ia/possibility-howcanitbesaid
thatitcomesthen, aetwatd,hndingitsellgtoundedinanintuitiveand
puteptesenceotco-immediacy:Andthusilweassumetheintetiotityol
psychicacts, isnt itnecessaty, ltom the outset, thatvisibility, beingex-
posedtothe outside, theapptesentativedetout,theinttusionoltheothet,
andsolotth,bea/sadatwotkAndwould this notcondition,otatleast
co-condition,thatonwhichitseemstodependandthatitseemstolollow,
moteovetin thevetyinsideolthe touching-touchedas doubleapptehen-
sion:Mustnttheinttudetalteadybeinsidetheplace:lsntitnecessatythat
thisspacingthusopenuptheplacelotateplacing,andthatitmaketoom
lotthesubstitute,themetonymicalsupplement,andthetechnical:
etmebemotepteciseaboutthemeaningototientation oloutques-
tion. Denying the possibility ola tactile expetience olthe touching-
touchedisnotthepoint,butinacknowledgingwhatitsmanualotdigital
exampleimplies ,as/ss/andpatadigmaticexample,otguidingthteadol
theanalysis) ,l askwhethettheteisanyputeauto-allectionolthetouch-
ingotthetouched, andtheteloteanypute, immediateexpetienceolthe
putelyptopetbody, thebodyptopetthatisliving,putelyliving.Otil, on
theconttaty, thisexpetienceisatleastnotalteadyhaan/sd, butcsns/i/a-
/isqhaunted, bysomehetetoallection telated to spacingand then to
visiblespatiaity-wheteaninttudetmaycome thtough, ahost,wishedot
i ?o Exsm/,S/sisss/hs /ssh''
unwished lot, aspateandauxi|iatyothet, otapatasiteto betej ected, a
hama/sn thatalteadyhavingat its disposa|adwellinginthis place in-
habitsonesheattolheatts _/sa/ inisa} asaghost.
When Hussetl seems to dtaw a linebetween, onthe one hand, pute
auto-ahection olthe body ptopet in the double apptehension olthe
touching-touched,and,ontheothethand,theheteto- ectionolsightot
theeye,which,itwi||betecal|ed,canbeseen seeingon|yinanindisc/
lashion, bymeansolamittotthatis compatablein its ehectstotheappte-
sentationoltheeyesolanothet) ,shou|dntonetathetdistinguishbetween
sevetaltypesolauto-heteto-ahectionwithoutanypute,ptopetlypute, im-
mediate, intutive, living, and psychical auto-ahection at all: No doubt,
thetewouldbesomeauto-ahectionehects,buttheitana|ysiscannotes-
capeltomtheheteto-ahectionthatmakesthempossibleandkeepshaunt-
ingthem,eventhetewhetethisheteto-ahectioningsnsa/,theonecoming
ltomthe ttanscendenta| thingotthelivingothet) seems tovanish, itte-
sistiblycomingbacktoimposeitsellintheana|ysisandtheexpoundingol
itstesults.This,at|east,iswhatlhaveattemptedtodemonsttate,whilete-
connectinginothetwayswiththethteadolancientpteoccupations.
Accotdingottestotingaptivilegeotptiotitytoanysense-sight,touch,
heating,taste,sme|l-wou|dthusnolongetcomeintoquestion.Theteis
nothe'senseoltouch, ancysays,andhecouldlikewisesay, l believe,
Theteisnothe'senseolsight, andsolotth. ltwou|dthentathetbea
questionolteotganizingin anothetwaythis whole held olthesaidsense
otsenss. olongetwouldthegeneta|hapto|ogyoneconsttuctedwith
thisdependonapatticulatsensenamedtouch.The constitution olthe
bodyptopetthusdesctibedwouldalteadyptesuppose apassageoutside
andthtoughtheothet,aswe||asthtoughabsence,death,andmoutning,
aswel|asthtoughecotechnicsandthe /schnolbodies . Thiswou|d
ptesupposeintettuptioningeneta|,andasacingltombeloteanydistinc-
tionbetweenseveta|spaces,betweenpsychica|spteadingoutotsptead-
ing into ,Aas/si/ang, Hin/si/ang) andsx/snsisoltheteal _ss/} thing.
We shou|dthenteinttoducetheoutsideitsell, theothet,the inanimate,
matetia|natute, we|l death,thenon|iving,thenonpsychicalingen-
eta|,|anguage,thetotic,technics,andsolotth-al|thatthisphenomeno-
logicalteductionto the spheteolputeapputtenanceolthe solipsistic
bodyptopetttiestokeepout.Lileolthelivingptesentandlileas ttan-
scendenta| lile ate,asa|ways,thegteatquestion,towhichwesha|lnotet
againtetutnhete.

Iangsn/II
1histypeolquestionconcetnsthewholeptoblematicolphenomeno-
logicalteduction, puteintuition, andsolotth, and itobviouslyevenin-
vadesit,whetevetthisptoblematicmeetswiththethemesolpassivegene-
sis,time,andtheothet.1hisdehiscenceoltheoutsideandtheothetcomes
toinsctibeanittepatabledisotganization,aspacingthatdislocates,anon-
coincidence,whichalsoyieldsthechance c/sollullintuition, thelot-
tuneolimmediacyehects) ,whetevetHussetlspeaksolovetlappingand
coincidence ,Dsc/ang)'inthetextsj ustinvoked,whetevetthisalleged
coincidencebecomesdetetmininglotthelulhllingolanintuitionotiden-
tihation.Andalthoughtheteisnomentionolthisinthepassagesthatwe
havepetused ,atleast nomote than luttivelyandcutsotily) , this occuts
ltom the movement ol tempotalization and its hyletic layets onwatd,
which these analyses oltactile sensation must ptesuppose in this way,
whethetit is amattetolimmanentpetception,thekindtowhichHus-
setlceaselesslywantstoleadusbackhete)otpetceptionsaidtobettan-
scendent, thustegulatlyteinttoduced-alteadybythehand-withinim-
manenceitsel1henoncoincidenceolwhichlspeakheteis,htstolall,the
kind thatwotks at, wotties, and tendets the living ptesent c/s both
possibleandimpossible.Letussaythattheseellectsateconstitutedthey
teinttoduceaptiotiwhatisconstitutedintowhatisconstituting. Sincel
have olten taken up the consequences ot implications ol this in othet
places, l shallcontentmysellhetewithsituatingthesetegulattemindets
atoundthequestionoltouchandthetextsbyHussetlthatateexptessly
dedicatedto this.Andwebegintoglimpsewhetethe thinkingoltouch,
whichNancyismakingusmeditate,toucheswithouttouching,andde-
tachesitsellltom, thisphenomenology,whetevetanintettuption,otletus
sayasyncope, a/schnolbodies, andhtstolall andevetywheteanitte-
duciblesacing,thehtstwotdolanydeconsttuction,validlotspace well
astime) constitutethemoteinsistentmotilinthisthinking.
Whyhavel, intutn,paidsomuchattentiontoussetl'sptivilegingin
ptacticeolthehandinotdettoshowtheptivilegeoltouch:yteasonol
thelollowingpatadox.motethananyothetpattolthebodyptopet, the
handhasimposedadetoutleadingthtoughvisibilityandexpositiontoa
sutlace,pteciselywhenitwas meantbettettoillusttatethepute,psychic
auto-allectionolthetouching-touched.1htoughthisoutlet,thehandhas
hnally imposed the possibility olempathic apptesentation, that is, ex-
apptoptiation,theintetminableapptoptiationolanitteduciblenonptopet,
whichconditions,constitutes,andlimitsevetyandanyapptoptiationpto-
|

Exsm/r,S/srisss/hs F/ssh'
cessatthesame time. lthas been aneatlythteattowhatitwas meant to
makepossible.thasteinttoducedintosensetheothetsenseandtheothet
ofsense,inal|thesensesandwaysofthewotdssnss_ssns}. '
nds oweatoutownpaceapptoachtheplaceof atesemblancethatwe
can a|teadyguess at. ahandandespeciallyahand of esh, ahands
man,hasalwaysbeguntotesembleamanhand,andthusafathetlyhand,
andsometimes,moteotiginatily, thehandofthemetcifullathet,which
is to sayhis Son-the hand that the Son is, accotding to the Logos ot
Wotd oflncatnation.sweshal| see, all thesevalues touch oneanothet
byvittueofaspititualtouch, whichisinni/s, ma/aa/, andimmsdia/s
Thelastofouthve Iangsn/s,hve,likethe hvehngetsofonehand,likethe
hvesenses) willpethapsunfutltheindisputab|econsequenceofthis.

an_cnt !!!
Ihc E\crbitcnt, 2 , Cr,tc//izcticn
c thc imcib/c ''

F/ch, cnd
cgcin, '1cr c\cm/c, m, hcnd
SingulatityolNancy's cotpus. ltwouldbelaitaso toaa inan-
othet way what, in him, weighs, pondets, and thinks in the vicinity ol
touching. Onewouldapptoachthisltomtheplaceswhetethissingulatity
isss/ _s'sn/es} , inaway, inandagainstwhatwemighttooeasilyand
empitically-aiac, as itwete-tetmacettainltenchii.
Wesuggestedthiseatlietwithinacettainphilosophicalhistotyoltouch
lotthepasttwocentuties,thetehavebeentegulatpassagesactossutopean
botdetlines,aswellshiltingsolthesebotdets.Andthewayinwhichthese
occut may be ostensible, legitimate, ot botdeting on the andestine
smuggling,even,patticulatlybetweenltanceandGetmany.Thepassages
muchexceedthematketolimpotts and expotts-anddebts. at
isonlytooobviousinHeidegget'scasewasalteadysoinHussetl's-towit,
twoltanco-Getmanhistotiesthatatemoteovetindissociablylinked,each
ptoloundlyovetdetetminingtheothet. lwellbeyondimpotts,onespoke
thelanguageolinhetitanceandhliation, onewouldstillhaveto letitdo
j usticetoalltheapotiasthatmakethemasinconceivableas thevetycon
ceptionolconcepts. Theteisnotandthete couldnotbeandthetemust
notbeanyinhetitance oth liationwotthyoltheseappellationswithout
ttanslotmation,te-beginning,te-invention,divetting,tesistance,tebellion,
andsometimesalsobettayal-andespeciallywithoutanintetbteedingol
genealogies.We haveteadHussetl,aHussetlwhowantstobesuchatadi-
calCattesian-moteCattesianthanDescatteshimsell-soastodojustice
toallthesegenealogicctossbteedings.elotehand,lalteadygavetemind
etsolacettainltench ttadition thatlollowstheintettwined thteadsola
haptologypassingthtoughidiomsandatgumentsasdilletent,cettainly,as
J
j
Exsm/a,S/sisss/hsF/ssh'
thoseolMainedeitan,Ravaisson,etgson,Metleau-lonty,Deleuze,and
solotth.WithoutevenspeakingolHussetlianphenomenologyingenetal
,atopictathettoolatgelotthedimensionsoltheptesentessay) , butlim
itingmyselltothemostexplicitanalysesthatHussetl leltusabout/ac/i/s
sensationandpetception,theonesin IdsasIItelettedto in thepteceding
chaptet) ,howamltosetalootamodestanalysisolwhat,today, pattlyte
semblessuchaltenchhetitage, whatleatliettetmedaltenchttail _si/-
/ags} , in avaguetwayandwithanothet, even lessj ustihablehgute:l shall
havetolimitmyselltometelypointingtosomepaths,pendingamoteam
bitiousandlessincompleteexplotation,otinanycasealaitetone.lnhtst
scoutingthistettain, theptincipleissimple.ltmightbejustihedwithte
gatdtothelollowingquestion.asideltomthelightshedonitbyLevinass
explotatotywotk,i. e. , hisdiscoutseonthecatessandhisteletencestoIdsas
'whichlhavealteadytouchedon) ,wemayaskoutselveswhoinltance
haswotkedoutanintetptetationoltouchwhileaccsmmsda/ingexplicitly
-btiehy,cutsotily,otelliptically,attimes,somewhatmoteanalyticallyand
insistently,atothettimes-Hussetl'sanalysisoltouch,pteciselywithinthe
pages olIdsasIIthat l havej ust in tutn located ot intetpteted. Sttictly
withinthescopeolthesenseexpetienceoltouch,howisitthatwhatwas
thusaccepted,accommodated, tead, andteceivedcouldeachtimegivetise
to adisplacement, ateinsctiption, andanotiginalteconhgutation,which
istosayanothetctossbteedingthatothetttaditionswouldcometopolli
nateintheittutn:
Letmeptovisionally-albeitagaintooquickly, andconsciousollimita
tions,incomptehensions,andunjustihableexclusionssummonupthedil
letentpathsolthteethinkets, MauticeMetleau-lonty, olcoutse,whohas
alteadycomeupmotethanonce) ,Didietltanck,andeanLouisChttien.
Metleau-lontyNancydoesnotcitehimoen,buttheitimplicitani
tiesseemundeniablealthoughsometimesdiculttooutlineotlotmalize.
Still lessdeniableate cettaingestutes olmovingaway, whichalsosigni
thatsomedistancingtookplacewithtegatdtothisltenchphenomenol-
ogyoltheheshthatweatenowcomingto.1heonlyteletencetoMetleau-
lontythatl loundinNancy ,within thelimitsolmyteadinghim) is at
oncebtielandallusive,butitgoesquitelat, anditshouldbekeptinmind
inevetythingthatlamhencelotthgoingtosayaboutMetleaulontyotthe
discoutseonheshingenetal.Letustetainatleast/hss/ai/solthistelet
ence ,l shouldquoteitswholecontext) ,namely, thechaptettitled lack
Hole, insas.'
'
Iangsn/III
I . lndeed, althoughthewotdhandisnotutteted, itisaboutwhatl
tetmed humanualism _hamainisms .
Thebodysiguihesitseasbody,ol)seusibleiutetiotitywej usthavetoseeall
that we have the humau body say, aud its uptight postute, its opposable
thumb,itseyeswheteheshtutusiutosoul,Matcelltoust) .Audsothebody
pteseutsthesigu'sbeiug-itselwhichistosaytheaccomplishedcommuuityol
thesiguih etaudthesiguih ed,theeudolextetiotity,theseusetightatamme
theseusible-Hocest euim. . . . ,|eau-LucNaucy, Coas, pp. 6|-6,)
2. 1husattheptincipleolwhatwehavethehumanbodysay, theteis,
accotdingtoancy,whonamesthemostdecisivetbemeolthisphenom
enology, acettainphenomenon,aphenomenologyolsell-touching
8utthebodyisuotthisLiviugTemple-LileasTempleaudtheTempleas
Lile,sell-touchiugasasactedmystety-exceptouthecouditiouthatthecit-
culatitygtouudiugitbecompletelyhuished. ,ibid. , p. 6,)
). dhete,especially,istheconnectionbetweenthishumanbody, the
sell-touchingolthis esh,andthebodyolaChtistianonto theology, in
itseuchatisticecstasypatexcellence-otinthiscommunion, mentioned
eatliet,aptoposolPhsnsmsns/sgsPscs/isn.tthispointancyquotes
Metleau-lonty,andhethenemphasizesthedeh niteatticle,/scotps)sev
etaltimesinthischaptet,lotitiswhatisthussignihedbyitthatheisaet
Ihebody, thetelote, is uothiug othetthautheaato-s,m/o/ization othea/
so/ateorgan.ltisuuuamablelikeGod,itexposesuothiugtotheoutsideolau
exteusiou, i tis theotgauolsell-otgauizatiou, uuuamablelikethetotolits
sell-digestiou,Deathiuletsou)-uuuamable,aswell,asthissell-textuteto-
watdwhichsttaiusaphilosophyolthebodyptopet,Whatweatecalliug
hesh,thisiutetiotlywotked-ovetmass,hasuouameiuauyphilosophy, says
Metleaulouty) . God, Death, llesh-the ttiple uame olthe body iuall ol
outotheology.The bodyistheexhaustivecombiuatiouaudcommouassump-
tiou olthese thtee impossible uames, whete all meauiug weats itsellout.
,ibi d. , pp. 6,-66)
Metleau-lonty, thetelote.Oneolthehtsttextsi nwhichhetakes into
accountthehaptologicalmomentinHussetl'sIdsII inanexplicitand
insistent

ashion, is ptobably 1he lhilosophet and His Shadow, in

Signs.1hemovement,anewot_/acis} olimplications,isalteadycom-
plex,andMetleau-lontyttiesto untavel itinsuchpassagesinHussetl's
i ?6 Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh'
analysis inwhich, hesays, wenolongersensethepulsationofconstitut-
ingconsciousness ,Merleau-lonty, Signs,p. 66) . ltistruethatMerleau-
lontychssssshspathway, withthepreferencesand partialities men-
tionedearlier.ethenchoosesveryquicklytobringhimselftothesiteof
thisdefeat,totheselimitsoftheconstitutingconsciousness, andhedoes
itwthasmuchenergyanddeterminationasHusserlconverselymanifests
indelayingcoingtosuchatermhecaseofthesenseoftouchisj ust
one example in the trajectory ofthis article. Although Merleau-lonty
seemstofollowIdsasIIandbeginwithtouch,alltoosoon, heassociates
with it, onthesameplane, the example ofsight, nawaythat usserl
wouldneverhavedeemed legitimate, andfurtherframesthiswith con-
siderationsofseeing.NosoonerhashementionedIdsasIIthanhesum-
monsupan l am ableto ,airanian as muchas Husserlian one, l may
fairlysay)andat once connects itwithvisibility. herelationbetween
mybodysmovementsandthething'sproperties'whichtheyrevealisthat
ofthe l amable to' to themarvels itis within itspowertogive riseto.
Andyetmybodymustitselfbemeshedintothevisibleworld, itspower
dependspreciselyonthefactthatithasaplacesmahichitsees.husit
isathing,butathingldwellin ,ibid. ) .
Whatcountshere, beforetheultiplicityofsensesandsensiblethings,
istheoriginaryhss, andthatitshouldbeincludedintheworld,likea
thing,evenwhileitremainstheoriginoftheworldaswellasofmyl am
ableto. Nonetheless,thehrstexampleremainsthatoftheisi//sandnot
the/angi//sworld.lmmediatelyafterwardcomestheexampleoftouch
andagainitisthe hand, thehanditself, thehandalone, thetwohands
alone,orthemetonymichand.thetouchedhandbecomesthetouching
hand.
heexampleofthehand,certainly,i sathand,yetatthesametimei tis
not. ltimposes itselffor two reasons. because Merleau-lonty is in the
processofdiscussingIdsasII wherethehandhndsitselfathome, soto
speak,thoughithastrouble,there,hndingitselfonitsown) ,andbecause
thelawofthesensible-' icisensible demandsthis, therewherefor
Merleau-lontyitissuch adeartopic,in this textand elsewhere.et the
hssdoes notseemtobeabletorefertoitselfexceptinanexperiencethat
isatthesame time tactileand deicticand resemblesareection ofthe
body. Whendescribingtherelationofmybodyto itselfwhichmakes it
theinca/amoftheselfandthings, MerleaulontyfollowsHusserlshand,
buthealsobeginstoleaditwhereitdoesnotalwaysseem,simplyenough,

angentIII
to go onits own. The movement olthis leadingtemains tathetsubtle,
howevet, andit is so respectlul olcettain possibilities and vittualities,
whichateliterallyattestedinHussetlstext,thatitisdilh culttosortout
Merleau-lontys actively intetptetingshare. Everything-almostevety-
thing-seems to playitselloutinthedilletential between one insistent
locusandanother,andonthekeyboardolvaryingthematicemphasesand
metaphorical displacements. nd since Metleau-lontys writing hand
bothlollowsandinHectsHussetl'shand,theonethatwritesandthatIdsas
IIdesctibes,let us in tutnlollowthesehands.
lnthisplace,Metleau-lontyshowslessolaninterestintouching,that
is,inwhatmightcomebelotesight, otconditionit,intheconstitutionol
the body ptopet ,Lsi/) , than in a sott olreection olthe touching
touched, theexttaordinatyeventolthissensibleteexivity
Theteisatelationolmybodyto itsellwhichmakesitthecinca/amolthesell
andthings.Whenmytighthandtouchesmylelt,lamawateolitasaphys
icalthing. 8utatthesame moment,ill wish, anexttaotdinatyeventtakes
place heteismylelthandaswellstattingtopetceivemytight,esairdLei/es
emndetitbecomes8ody, itsenses, Hussetl,IdeasI p. i,2) .Thephysical
thingbecomes animate. Ot, moteptecisely, ittemainswhatitwas ,theevent
doesnotentichit) , butan explotatotypowetcomes totestuponotdwellin
it.Thusltouchmyselltouching,mybodyaccomplishesasottolteection.
lni t, thtoughi t, theteisnotj usttheuniditectionaltelationshipoltheone
whopetceivestowhathepetceives.Thetelationshipistevetsed,thetouched
hand becomes thetouchinghand,andl am obliged to saythatthesenseol
touchheteisdillusedintothebody-thatthe bodyisa petceivingthing
emndendesDing , asubjectobject dassa/ekticeO/ekt
ltisimpetativethatwetecognizethat this desctiption also ovettutnsout
ideaolthethingandthewotld,andthatittesultsinanontologicaltehabili-
tationolthesensible. ,ibid. , pp. i666;)
Withtespecttothispassage,astosomanyothets,itisnecessarytolo-
calizetheinstantwhentheaccompanimentolthecommentatyandthe
pedagogicalrestoration,whichinvolveasimplethetoticalshilt,begindis-
cteetlytobendtheothet'sintentions,withoutbettayingthemouttight,
andtodtivethemelsewhete.lndeed,sometimesthecautionthatconsists
ingivingapreciseteletenceandseekingshelterbehindalitetalcitationin
Getmancomestobettaythebettayal-andnotonlyinMetleau-lonty.
What thelattetiskeen on showingis thathe temainsascloseas possible
toHussetlatthemomentwhenheisannouncinganontologicaltehabil
i ?? Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh'
itationolthesensible .yetHusserlwouldneverhavespokenolitinsuch
terms,itseemstome,andthiswouldnothaveinterestedhimlorasingle
second,supposingthatheevensoughttolendaneartoit-nomorethan
to a description that overturns ourideaolthe thingand theworld
,Merleau-lonty, Signs, p.i 66) . Similarly, Husserlwouldnotadmittobe-
ing obliged tosaywhatever itmightbe, and obliged to saythat the
senseoltouchhereisdilsedintothebody_andans/scss} , given
thestratih edreasonsthatwehavealreadyexamined.Husserlspeaksabout
asenseoltouchthatisnotdillusedthroughoutthebody. imaginethat
Husserlwouldhavealsoaskedwhatcomestorestuponordwellinit,
rigorouslyandnotmetaphorically, meanstosay,thetwotermsarehardly
compatible, as a matter ollact) when used to describe the manner in
whichan exploratorypower relates to aphysicalthingwhenitbe-
comes animate. Allthisshiltingispreparingandblazingthewaylora
discoursecarried out in advance, thediscourseolesh and incarnation,
which willincreasinglyand in a complex and rehnedwaybecome the
patholMerleau-lontysthinkingandwehavealreadyseenhowNancy
veerslromit.
Startingwiththenextpagewepasslromthetranslationol/si/haas
inperson or inthe esh to incana/isn, to myown incarnation as
carnalsubj ect,and this in the name olwhathasbe to taken literally,
preciselywhereHusserlwouldneverhaveconcludedlromthelactthata
thingcanbepresentorperceived /si/haig, thatthethinganything
hasesh,inthesense,thistime, oltheliving, animate, andincarnate
bodyproper), orthatthereis aesh oltheworld. ltisinthisrather
non-Husserlianpassage,thisaudacioustranslation,alwaysproposedinthe
nameolHusserl-andeventheletterolHusserl'stext,thustranslated
thatMerleau-lontygetsinvolved.Whenwesaythattheperceivedthing
isgrasped inperson'orintheesh' _/si/ha} ,thisistobetakenliterally.
theesh olwhatis perceived, this compactparticlewhich stops explo-
ration, andthisoptimumwhichterminatesitallre ectmyownincarna-
tion and are its counterpart. Herewe have a type olbeing ,Merleau-
lonty, Signs, p. i6/) .
We canimagineHusserl'sspontaneousresistancej ustihedor notto
thistranslation, tothisdiscourse,ateverystepandeveryturn. utthis
literaldisplacementoltheletter,inwhich,however,literallyisstillsaid,
signsMerleau-lonty'swholedesigninSignsandIhslisi//sand/hsnis-
i//s.oththeviolenceolinterpretationand thenecessityolphilosophical

Ingsn/III
wtitingthatisgivenovetto theh guteateaccepted,claimed,andsigned.
1hisiseventhe conclusionol1helhilosophetandHisShadow. 1he
othetsatethete,alteady,withtheitgestutes,spokenwotds,towhichout
own tespond. . . to thepointthatwe sometimes tutn theitwotdsback
upon them even belote theyhave teached us, as sutelyas, mote sutely
than,ilwehad undetstood . . . lotalthoughmeaningisevetywhetehgu-
tative,itismeaning ssns} whichisatissueevetywhete ,ibid. , p. i ?) .
Objectingtothesestatementsthemselvesis nottheissuelotushete. n
amomentwe'lllollowtheitconsequencesaslatasthehgutaltelationbe-
tweenthesensesoltouchandsightateconcetned,butitish ttingh tstto
tecalltwointetptetativepteliminaties.
J. We cannevetsulh cientlyemphasizethatHussetl'stesistanceispte
ciselyto a metaphotical slanton the subject olthe becomingtouch ol
sightotthebecoming-seeingotbecoming-visibleoltouch1heptinciple
olthis tesistance, in the name olthe ptopet and the sense said to be
ptopet,whichisalsocommonsense,isanaxiomolphenomenologyinits
Hussetliandiscoutse.EvenilttanslatingotmetaphotizingHussetl'slan
guageisunavoidable, doesonehavethetighttodistegatditsaxiomatics
on thesubjectolwhatlanguage should beotshould not do:Whosays
whatistight,hete:Letusl eavethisquestionhangingandptoceedtowatd
asecondtemindetonthesubjectolteadingHusset
2. Metleau-lonty'smajotconcetnisnotonlytheteexiveaccesstothe
incatnationolmybody,inthish tstalusiontothetouchingtouchedol
thehand,itisalsoandimmediatelytoinvolvetheothet,andmyexpetience
olthe othet's bodyot the othet man's-the othet as othet human be-
ing-in the being touchedolmyownptopethandthatistouching.And
heteagain, weatenotobjectingtotheintetestotnecessityinhetentinthis
movement ,which mobilizes theimmense, leatsomeptoblematicolEin
h/angandtheapptesentationolthealtetegoottheothetmaninHusset
'
andthedestinyolthisptoblematicinltance) . utshouldn'twematk-in
alimited,pointed,butacutelashion-wheteMetleaulontygivesintoa
tathetambiguous-andptoblematic-gestuteinhisteadingolIdsasII,a
teadingaimingtobeas litetal andlaithlas possible,suppottedbynotes
andGetmantetms) :1hisgestuteisimpottantlotus,notsomuchlottea
sons olintegtityotphilologicaldiscipline,though amkeenon those as
well) , but because olsome olits patadoxical and typical consequences
Whatatethey:elotestatingthemlotmally,letmeagainquoteltom1he
lhilosophetandHisShadowandemphasizesomepassages.
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh'
Mytighthaudaasresent_assistait]attheadveutol mylenhaud'sactiveseuse
oltouch.Itisinnodqrent ashionthattheothet'sbodybecomesauimatebe-
lotemewheulshakeauothetmau'shaudotjustlookathim Hussetl,Ideas
pp. i;,;] . luleatuiugthatmybodyisapetceiviugthiug,thatisabletobe
stimulated _reiz/ar]-lt,auduotj ustmycousciousuess-l ptepated mysell
lotuudetstaudiugthattheteateothetanima/iaaudpossiblyothetmeu.
Jisimeratieetorecognizethataehaeehereneithercomarison, norana/og,
norroection or introection"ohueluttojektiou ,ibid. , p. i;,) ] . The teasou
whylhaveevideuceoltheothetmau'sbeiugthetewheul shakehis haudis
thathishaudissubstitutedlotmylehaud. . . . ,Metleau-luty,Signs,p. r 6)
1heHussetliantefetencesandcitationsmust not delude us.Atthevety
same timewhenMetleau-lontyclaimsthatheismakingacommenton
Hussetlotseekinginspitationinhim, heputstheshoeonthewtongfoot,
litetally,tutningupsidedown,shottofcompletelymisteading,thesenseof
Hussetl'stext,whichlhave,fotthisvetyteason,alteadysoughttosituate.
1hepageinquestioncleatlysaysthatl cannsshaveaccesstothebody
,Lsi /) oftheothetsxcs/inaninditectfashion,thtoughapptesentation,
compatison,analogy,ptojection,andinttojection.1hatisamotiftowhich
Hussetltemainspatticulatlyandhetcelyfaithful.Andwhenhesayswith-
outinttoj ection,indeed,thisisnottoqualioutaccesstotheothet'sliv-
ingbody, buttheaccessthatothetshave-thattheyhave,j ustaslhave
to theit own ptopet bodies ,withoutinttojection) . ut thisaccess that
othetshavewithoutinttojectiontotheitbodies,lcanhave-totheitown
ptopet bodies-only by inttojection ot apptesentation. Hussetl would
nevethavesubsctibedtothisltisinnodiffetentfashion. . . cen' estpas
auttement. . . ,I/isinnsdsn/ shisnthattheothet'sbodybecomes
animatebefotemewhenlshakeanothetman'shandotj ustlookathim
_Signs, p. 6? ) , whichassimilatesthetouchingthetouching _/s/sachan/-
/sachs ofmyownptopetbodyotmytwohandswiththecontactofthe
othet's hand. Let us again tetead this passage in Hussetl. He has been
speakingoftheappeatanceoftheothetpetson,Etscheinungdesftemden
Menschen) , undetstandingoftheothet'spsychiclife, andespeciallyof
thesystemofsignsexptessing'psychiceventsinthelanguagethatisac-
tuallyspokenanditsgtammat.Sincehetethismanifoldexptessionap-
ptesentspsychicsxis/sncsincatna Cotpoteality, thustheteisconstituted
withallthatanobjectivitywhichispteciselydoubleandunitaty.theman
-withoutinttojection' , Hussetl,IdsasII p.
/
) .
Withoutinttojection.thesewotdsdonotdesctibemytelationtothe

|
Ingsn/
othet'scatnal cotpoteality ,Lsi//ich/si/ ,which, as Hussetlalwayssays
unambiguously,isptesentlotmeonlyinditectlyandbywayolanalogical
inttojection, whichistosayapptesented, as thispassagecleatlyputsit.
Howevet, what thisapptesentation delivets to me is anothet man, and
whatlothimisinsctibed-inhisphenomenon,whichhshas,hisa/,
andahichai//nss/smins-san otiginatytelation,withoutinttojec-
tion, tohisownptopetbody,whichisthetelationlhavewithmybody
butwillnevethavewithhis.1hetewecanhndtheapptesentativeanalogy
betweentwohsss.Hussetlhadcontinuallyinsisted-beitonlyinthetwo
ptecedingpages-oninditectapptesentation and even on the lactthat
theothet'shand,suchaslseeitwhileitistouching,apptesentstomehis
solipsisticviewolthishand. ,Letusbequitecleatthatwithoutthis un-
btidgeableabyss,thetewouldbenohandshake,notblowotcatess,not,in
genetal,anyexpetienceoltheothet'sbodyassuch. )
lthuscalltheconsequencesolthisactiveintetptetationonthepattol
Metleaulonty, and the libetties he takes with tegatd towhat Hussetl
seems tohold tomostkeenly, patadoxicalandtypical . 1heyatetypical
because theyhaveoltengiven tise tosimilatgestutes, inltance notably,
andtheyatepatadoxical. atthemomentwhen itisamattet olotienting
Hussetlandmakinghimtaketheothetintoaccountinamoteaudacious
way,theothetwho isotiginatilyinme,otlotme,andsolotth)-atthe
expense ola Hussetl who is mote classical, mote ego-centeted, and so
lotth-theteisatiskoltheexactoppositetesulting.Onetunsthetiskol
teconstitutinganintuitionismolimmediateaccessto theothet,as otigi
natyasmyaccesstomyownmostptopetlyptopet-andinoneblow, do-
ingwithoutapptesentation,inditection,Einh/ang, onealsotunsthetisk
olsasia/ingthealtetityoltheothetmotesutely, moteblindly, ot
evenmoteviolentlythanevet. lnthistespectHussetlscautiousapptoach
willalwaystemain/sasasamodelolvigilance.ltisnecessatytowatch
ovettheothet'saltetity. itwillalwaystemaininaccessibletoanotiginally
ptesentiveintuition,animmediateandditectptesentationolthehss lt
isnecessatytowatchovetthis,evenil,lotaphenomenologythatislaith
lul to its intuitionistic ptinciple olptinciples, itis dilhcultto assimi-
late-thevetyptinciplethatgovetnshaptocentetednessinIdsas l do
knowotleel thattheteisans/hshete, andsince thisisouttheme, the
othetheteolatouching-touched,whichistosayothetswhothemselves
atealsoputatadistanceltomthemselves, uptoandincludinginthepte-
sentationoltheitptesent, bythe timingoltheitexpetienceandthesim-

Exsm/a,S/sisss/hs F/ssh
pe gap, the syncopated noncoincidence in theitsell-telation) , but this
othet hete ptesents itsellas thatwhichwill nevetbe mine. this non-
minenessispattol thesenseolthisptesentation,which,likemyown,it-
sellsulletsalteadyltomthesameexptoptiation. Nosubstitutionispos-
sible and the mote sutptising logic olthe substitution, whetevet it is
necessatilyatwotk,ptesupposesthesubstitutionolnonsubstitutables,ol
uniqueandothetones,oluniquelyothets. singsinga/a/aa/, Nancy
mightsayatthispoint.
lll have olten spokenolpte-otiginatymoutningonthissubject, and
tiedthismotiltothatolexapptoptiation,ithasbeeninotdettomatkthat
intetiotization,inthismoutningbelotedeath,andeveninttojection,which
weoltentakelotgtantedinnotmalmoutning,cannotandmustnot be
achieved. Moutningas im-possiblemoutning-andmoteovet, ahuman,
motethanhuman,ptehuman,dilletentltomthehumaninthehuman
olhumanualism.Well,despiteallthedilletencessepatatingthediscutsive
way in which l am holding lotth at this moment ltom a discoutse in
Hussetl's style, andptobablyas wellltomthegteatmassilsolphenome-
nology, l dohndthiswaytohavemotealhnitieswiththediscoutsethat
Hussetlobstinatelyupholdsonthesubjectolapptesentation ,whichl am
temptedto extendandtadicalize, while payingtheptice olthenecessaty
displacements-but this is not theplaceto insist on this) thanwith the
oneolacs/ainMetleaulonty, thatis, theone, atleast,whoseica/ges-
tuteweatelollowinghete-typicalbecausehetepeatsitolten,asdooth-
ets,evenil,hencemytespectlulcaution)thegestuteislatltomexhausting
oteven dominatinghis thinkingthtoughout.Histhinkingalso, simulta-
neously, exposesitselltoanantagonisticnecessity, totheothetlaw-we'll
cometothis.Hussetl,ontheothethand,inthenameolphenomenology,
andphenomenologicallaithlulness,pteletsto bettayphenomenology,the
intuitionismolhisptincipleolptinciples) tathetthanttanslotminditect
apptesentation into ditect ptesentation, which it may nevet be-which
would teapptoptiatethe altetityolthe altetegowithin myEgo's own
ptopetness.Hussetlobstinatelypetsistsinthis,atthetiskoltunninginto
allthewell-knowndilhculties ,uponwhichwe have locusedelsewhete) ,
notablythetewhetetheptincipleolptinciples,theptincipleolintuition,
hndsitsellthteatened-asithappenstobe,onceagain,bytheexpetience
oltempotalizationthatisindissociableltomthis. Olcoutse,evenilthete
atestillsomanyuneasyquestionstoaskabouttheconstitutionolthealtet
ego,lwaseatliettemptedtoextendtathetthanteducetheheldolappte

Ingsn/III ))
sentationandt otecognizeitsitteduciblegap eveni nthe saidtouching
touched olmyownptopethand,myown bodypopetasahuman ego,
andsolotth.AndthiswouldsttictlybeneithetHussetliannotMetleau
lontyian.Evenbetweenmeandme,ill mayputitthisway, betweenmy
bodyandmybody,theteisnosuchotiginalcontepotaneity,thiscon-
sionbetweentheothet'sbodyandmine,thatMeeau-lontybelieveshe
cantecognizethete,whileptetendingheislollowingHussetl-lotexam-
ple,whenhelollowsthethteadolthesameanalysisandwtites. 1hecon-
stitutionolothetsdoesnotcomeaetthatolthebodywithwhichHus-
setlcouldagtee,butwithoutinlettingwhatlollows.-. D. , othetsand
mybodyate/sn/sgs/hs sm/hssina/scs/,.1hecotpotealitytowhich
theimsdia//hingbelongsis mote csssa/i/,ingsnsa/ as thechild's
egocentticity, the solipsistlayet isboth ttansitivityandcsnasisnolsell
andothet ,Metleaulonty, Sis, p. J,q, myemphasis-.D. .
1hisconlusionwouldbeas otiginatyas theptimotdialthing and
wouldmakepossiblethesubstitutions,thatwehavenotedateimpossible)
beeen the othetand me, betweenouttwobodies, inwhatMetleau-
lontyunhesitatinglytetmstheabsoluteptesenceolotigins. lnanothet
example,hewtites.
Theteasouwhylamabletouudetstaudtheothetpetsou'sbodyaudexisteuce
begiuuiugwith the bodyptopet, the teasouwhythe compteseuceolmy
cousciousuessaudmybodyisptolougediutothecompteseuceolmysell
audtheothetpetsou,isthatthelamabletoaudthetheothetpetsouex-
ists beloughete aud uowtothesame wotld, thatthebodyptopetisapte-
mouitiouoltheothetpetsou,theEinh/angauechoolmyiucatuatiou,aud
thataasholmeauiugmakesthemsubstitutableiutheabsolutepteseuceol
otigius.,Metleau-louy, Sigs, p. i;,)
Andso,mustwenotthink,andthinkothetwise,withoutobjectingto
itltontallyand integtally) , thatthesaidsamewotd ,iltheteissome
suchwotld,andilitisindeednecessatytoaccountlotit,andaccountot
its ellect, as sense olthewotld) is not and will nevet be the same
wotld1helactthatthisptopositionisintelligibleandevenconvincing
lotevetyman, thtoughoutmotethanonepossiblewotld,doesnotcon-
ttadictitscontent.When l takeinto account awholehistoty, ltomho-
minizationtosocializationconnectedtovetballanguageanditsptagmatic
conditions,andsolotth,l canconveytoevetyman's eatthatthewotld
oleachpetsonis unttanslatableand that hnally thetewill nevet beany
,| Exsm/arS/srisss/hs F/ssh'
same wotld. These two possibilities ate not incompatible they even
condition,andcalllot, one anothet, aspatadoxicalas thismaysound.
Digtessionotanticipation.thechosenexptession,senseolthewotld)
alsomakesasign,olcoutse,intheditectionolNancy'sbookIhsSsnsss
/hsr/d. We shallcomebacktoit,notablytoitschaptetonTouching
,wtitten-andthetelote, unlottunately, teadbyme-altetthe comple-
tionolthehtstvetsonolthsbook) .Atthispoint,letussimplynotethat
altetTouching,Nancy, lothispatt,inthechaptetonlainting,insists
onthe limitsolvision, a /imi//ha/i//sachss, touchingitsellintact, a
limit always attained and always withdtawn. And the logic olall
theseoppositions,hietatchies,andotdetings _srdsnnancsmsn/s} ,between
visionandtouch, thetouchableandtheuntouchable, andsolotth)hnds
itselltouted,displaced,upset,touchedandtampetedwith _ /sachs'
notthtoughanyconluson,butontheconttatybyteasonoltheplutal
singulatitiesthatonce moteinspiteoneolNancy's numetousandtegulat
statementstotheellectthattheteisnothe' . . . , hetetheteisnott'
ingenetal . Hehasj ustsaid, onceagain,whattouches thelimit,teach-
ingbutalsodisplacingit,andsettingitinmotion.
Sothatvision shouldtouchthelimit, that itshouldtouchitslimit, that it
shouldtouchitsellintact.laintingisalwaysonthethteshold.ltmakesupthe
thteshold between intactness and touchingbetween the intactness and
touching lightandshadow . . . . Accessisnolongetoltheotdetolvision,
butoltouch. . . .
. . . theteisnotingenetaleachoeindicatesthethtesholdbybeingit-
sellalsothethtesholdolanothetatt.Lachonetouchestheothetwithoutpass-
ingintoit, andtheteisptopetlyspeakingnoattoltouching ,notevenami
not attsuchasthoselottasteandsmel) ,lottouchingissenseas thteshold,
the sensing/sensed appottioning olthe aesthetic entelechy. Touching is the
light/datknessolallthesenses,andolsense,absolutely. lntouching,inallthe
touchesoltouchingthatdo nottoucheach othettouches olcolot, ttaced,
melodic, hatmonic, gestutal, thythmic, spatial, signihcative touches, andso
onthetwosidesoltheonesensedonotceasetocomeeachtowatdtheothet,
accedingwithoutaccess,touchingontheuntouchab|e,intact, spacingolsense.
8atelytotouch.toskimthesutlace.Senselevelso . . . . Theteissenseonly
onthe,howeting)sutlaceolsense_i/nadesensqaeardesens] .Nevetany
ltuittobehatvested-buttheaintingolltuitsastheitcomingceaselesslyte
sumed,ceaselesslyte-btoughtintothewotld,supeth cially,asonthetosysut-
laceoltheskin _ eardeeaa] .
I

Iangsn/III i ,;
WhenNancyspeaksolpaintinghete, paintingitsel olcoutse,butol
whatinittouchestheothetatts,whenhespeaks oltuitthatis notot
picking,whichwecanbatelytouch,atleastthteedisctiminatingttaitsate
noticeable.
i. Hetakesintoaccountthethtesholdolalltheh gutalitiesandthehg
utalityolthethteshold,asthethtesholdoltouch.
2. ndeed, hedesignatesthewotld, thebtingingotthinto thewotld
_missaamsnds} andbitth,asate-btinging_s-miss} intothewotld,and
the ,senseolthe) wotldas atthesametimeaplaceolbitthandoagilt
thustepeated,givenottendetedbyatt-butdontbelievethatNancy
wouldevetsay,likeMetleaulonty, thatothetsandybodyatebotnto
gethetltomtheotiginalecstasy.
). Aboveall,Nancysaysthesensingsensedas/isning _a/ags} ,and
notthesensedsensingottouched-touchingconlusionotteection. A al
wayswithNancy,a/ags-appottioning,shatingout,patting,pattaking
-signih espatticipationas muchas itteduciblepattition,whichistosay
thespacingolsense. Syncopeisthispattingandshatingoutolspacing.
thesyncopesepatatesandintettuptsattheheattolcontact.tbteathesot
matksthebteathing,andgivesitathteatenedchance,itsthteateningpos
sibility, to the sae beat-theothetsbeat, theothet'sheattbeat. t is a
shatingoutwithoutusion,acommunitywithoutcomunity,alanguage
withoutcommunication,abeing-withwithoutconlusion
We shallstickascloseaspossibletooutthemeandlocusonmatking
thatthisconlusion, Metleaulontysconlusion,aswellastheconlusion
owhichhespeaks ,conlusionosellandothet) , amongothetconnec
tions, cannotbesepatatedltomwhatmakeshimputposelyconlusethe
sensesolseeingandtouchingandputthemonthesameplaneandallo
catethemthesamecatnalte exivity -pteciselythetewheteHussetl
wassetondissociatingthemtadically1heteateathousandpossibleillus
ttationsolthis Heteishtstolallhispassingtosight,apassagethatim
mediatelylollowstheallusiontotouchi nIdsasI togethetwiththehut
tied ot imptovised intetptetation olthe wotds without inttojection.
Onecandistinguishtwo beatsandashiltingbetween thetwo, theh tst
beatisessentiallylaithlultotheHussetlolapptesentationandEinh/ang,
but,lotgoodteasons, thisdoesnotyetdealwiththeseeing,thesightot
thevisibilityolothets,sensustticto.
Fis//sa/, theteloteAtthistieMetleaulontyisintentontespond
|
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs /ssh'
ingto anobjection, sayingthathedoessoinHussetl's name, inalan-
guage, l believe, thatcouldnevethavebeenHussetl's,lottheteasonsal-
teadymentioned-inanycase,when Metleau-lontyinvokesasingulat
eloquence olthevisiblebody. ltisinanycaseaquestionoltelutinga
possibleobection, which
wouldiguotethevetythiugthatHussetlwautedtosay,thatis,thatthereisno
constitatingoamind ramind /atoamanraman. 8ytheellectolasiu-
gulat eloqueuce olthe visible body Einh/anggoes ltom body to miud.
Wbeuadilleteutbehaviototexplotiugbodyappeats to methtoughahtst
iuteutioualeuctoachmeut intentiona/e|/erschreitangen,atetmusediuHus-
setl'sCartesian/editations] , itisthemauasawholewhoisgiveutomewith
allthepossibilities ,whatevettheymaybe)thatlhaveiumypteseucetomy-
selliu myiucatuatebeiug,theuuimpeachableattestatiou.l shall uevet iu all
sttictuessbeabletothiuktheothetpetsou'sthought.lcauthiukthathethiuks,
l cau cousttuct, behiud thismauuequiu a pteseuce to sellmodeled ou my
owu,butit|sstillmysellthatlputiuit,auditistheuthattheteteallyisiu-
ttoj ectiou. ,Metleau-louty Signs, p. i6,)
lndeed,theteisnothingvetyHussetlianuptonow,exceptpteciselylot
thissingulatloquenceolthevisiblebody alteadyannouncingtheshi,
whichappeatsaseatlyasinthesentencethatlollows.
Sscsnd/sa/.1hisisthebeginningolalongdevelopment.itisnotonly
going to conttadict the Hussetlian ptivilege oltouch, and the ensuing
logic,but alsobteakapattanysymmettytothebeneh tolsight.Nothing
olwhat lollows can besustained, itseems to me-l mean patticulatly
ltom the Hussetlian viewpoint ltomwhich Metleau-lontyptetends to
seekhisinspitation.
Outheothethaudlkuowuuquestiouablythatthatmauovetthetesees,that
myseusiblewotldisalsohis,becauseIamresentathisseeing, itis eisi//e_se
eoit] iu his eyes' gtasp olthesceue.Aud wheu l sayl see thathesees thete is
uolougethete,astheteisiul thiukthathethiuks)theiutetlockiugoltwo
ptopositiousbutthemutualuulocusiugolamaiuaudasubotdiuateview-
iug. ,ibid.)
llonesupposes thatall the wotds hehas chosen , patticulatly his l
knowandlthinknottomentionhissssi/isvisible,seesitsell
ate onlyambiguouswith tegatdtoaHussetlianphenomenologyimple-
Iangsn/III i ,
/
mented hete, it seems impossible-both in genetal and ltom Hussetl's
viewpoint-toupholdtheconclusiontowhichtheseptemisesh tmlylead,
thatis,theaswhichmakessymmettical,compates,andanalogizesseeing
andtouching-notably, ontheonehand, seeing-a-man-seeing, and, on
theothet,touching-my-elt-hand-touching-my-tight-hand.We maywon-
detinlactwhat,identical,neighboting,anddihetent)meaningsMetleau-
lontyhetegivestothewotdspetceptionandesthesiologicalwhenhe
explainshowatiddleolEinh/angwhichwouldonlybeinitial, and
esthesiological, wouldthenbesolvedbecauseitisapetception. ,This
alteadytouses outuneasiness.who could ptetend thatthetiddleolEin-
h/angtemains initial only, and is solved withoutsomemystiing
sleight-ol-hand:Hussetlhimsellhasdoubtlessnevetbeenableotwillingto
solve this tiddle, andthiswillkeeptotmentingphenomenology.) n-
deed,Metleau-lontywtites.
ThewholetiddleolEinh/angliesiuitsiuitial,esthesiologicalphase,audit
issolvedthetebecauseitisapetceptiou. Hewhopositstheothetmauisa
petceiviugsubject,theothetpetsou'sbodyisapetceivedthiugaudtheothet
petsouhimsellispositedaspetceiviug. ltisuevetamattetolauythiugbut
co-petceptiou.lseethatthismauovetthetesees,asltouchmylenhaudwhile
itistouchiugmytight. ,ibid. , p. I}O, lhaveemphasizedas-|.D. )
8ywayolaptoblematicas, thelogicolthisatgumentationhasquickly
becomeindispensablelotanontologyolthesensibleandolincatnation
,myown, as well as the incatnation oltheesh olthewotld) , ' as the
continuationolthistextandsomanyothetsindcate,andthisseemsdou-
blyunlaithlulto Hussetl.1hisinitsellcettainlydoesnotconstituteanol-
lense,andtheleastwecansayisthatweatenotheteto assettthetightsol
somekndolHussetlianotthodoxy. Moteovet, inthisinstance,suchate-
mindetolHussetl'sintentionsisnotsoshocking,sinceMetleau-lontypte-
tends-inthispassageespecially-thatheis answetinganobjectionthat
ignotesthevetythingthatHussetlwantedtosay. /hethenspeaksinthe
nameolthevetythingthatHussetlwantedtosay, wemaybyalmeans
havesomequestionsonthissubjecthete.8utbeyondthisptoblemoltead-
ingHusset

theimpottantthinglotusheteistolotmalizethelogicthat
sm/hssin/sisas/sach,asitwete,andsincethisisoutconcetnhete
-compelsthemostotiginalmovementinMetleau-lonty'sthinking,which
stattinginPhsnsmsns/sgsPscs/isngoesontoSisandIhslisi//sand
/hsInisi//s.ThedoubleunlaithlulnesstowhatHussetlwanted tosayin
Exsm/aS/sisss/hsF/ssh"
the name olwhat Hussetlwantedtosay hastodowiththisputpotted
copetception. 1husintetpteted, itteduces,onthe onehand, the itte-
ducibledihetencebetweentheotiginaty,ditectintuitionolmyownbody
ptopet touching itsell,withoutEinh/ang, as Husset, at least, puts it)
andtheinditectapptesentationthat,bywayolsight,andEinh/ang, this
time) , gives meaccess to this manthete, inssashsssss-/s/hissssing
man. Onthe othethand, the copetceptionteduces the itteducibledil-
letencebetween sight andtouch,accotdingtoHussetl-wehaveinsisted
onthisenough.oncetningtheasinlseethatthismanovetthetesees,
as touch myle handwhile itis touchingmytight , Metleaulonty,
Sis,p. i
/o) ,evetythingleadsustothinkthatHussetlnotonlywouldhave
objectedtoitsphenomenologicallegitimacyhewouldhaveseeninitone
olthoselacilethetotical tutnsaboutwhichhismisgivings-pteciselyon
thispoint-wetegteat,asnotedeatliet.
HencelotththeteisalogiccompellingMetleaulonty'sthinkng,andit
will leadhimsimultaneouslyot insuccession,asitwete, to altetnate be-
tween two intuitionismsolthe esh . htst, onethattequites a cettain
ptivilegelotthegaze,lototiginatyimmediacy, sensibleptesentation,co-
incidence, conlusion, copetception, andsolotth andsecond, one
thatisj ustasintuitionisticandwillteinsctibewithinthesamevaluesan
epetienceolapattness,inadequacy, distance,inditection,noncoincidence,
andsolotth.1o signalthis, eatlietquotedMetleaulonty'sobsetvation
thatitisanoncoincidence coincidewithhete, whichcouldsetveasa
mottolottheunityolthisdoublemovement. ltisalotmulathat may
byallmeans tevetseadinhnitumwithouthatminganylotmaldiscutsive
logicil coincideai/hanoncoincidence, donotcoincideai/hmyown
coincidence,andsolotth.Coincidenceandnoncoincidencecoincideai/h
eachothetin notcoinciding coincidenceandnoncoincidencecoincide
withoutcoinciding,andsolotth.Allthattemainsistothinkthecamand
thewithothetwise.
i-theoneandtheothetoltheai/h. Havingteachedthispoint
andbelotewegoanylutthetinthecompanyolMetleaulonty-lwould
liketomakeanothetanticipatotydigtessiontowatdNancy.Wathisbook

/ssinga/is/ais/,BsingSinga/P/aa/)sets outtodoisto thinkthe

camandthewithinothetways-pteciselyinthechaptettitled 1he
Measuteolthevi/h. telettheteadettotheptogtessolitsanalysis,and
Iangsn/III I
metelytetainhetewhatcomesdown,again,tooutuestionoltouch,and
contmstheneedlotthisdeconsttuctionolChtistianity, Nancy'snew
ptojectthatwekeep btingingup) , oldistance _a/} andcontact, the
pattingintoontheonehandandontheothethand,onepattandthe
othetolashatingoutoltheai/h.
Withtegatdto thiscoustitutiou,theu,audattheheattol|udeo-Chtistiauity
auditsexacttevetseside a|ways exact, tobesute eeuattheheattaud
tevetsesidehestilldatestosayexact-|D. ,itisamattetoluudetstaud-
iughowthedimeusiouoltheaith bothappeatsauddisappeatsallatouce
Ou the oue haud, the ptoximityolthe uext, olthe lellow _darochain| ,
poiutstotheuexttoolthewith ,theaadhocoltheetymologyolaeeciu
lteuch). . . . Naucytheudevelopsthissemauticlogicuutilitsiutetualaud
ueluctable tevetsal .-| D. | Outhe othethaud, thisiswhy. . . thesimul-
taueityoldistaucecart] audcoutact,thatis,themostptopetcoustitutiouol
thecam-,isexposedasiudetetmiuateuessaudasaptoblem.luthislogic,thete
isuoptopetmeasuteoltheaith. theotherdtawsitawayltomi t, withiu the
altetuativeotdialecticoltheiucommeusutableaudolcommou iutimacy. lu
auexttemepatadox,theothettutusouttobetheotherotheaith. ,Naucy,Be-
ingSinga/rP/ara/ pp ?o-?i)
ltisalwaysthelawol a/ingandshaingattheheattoltouchingand
con-tact, ptesentation, appeatance, and co-appeatance shating out as
patticipationandpattition,ascontinuityandintettuption,assyncopated
beat. An ethics, politicsotlaw, anda thinking olan inopetative com-
munity, also comeout, thtough thetestolthisincommensutable, the
othetolthewith-andnotevenintheteassutingsimultaneityoldis-
tanceandcontact, butwhat, int,thustemainsan indetetminateness
andaptoblem. Atthe momentwhenNancy'sthinkingisthusdecided
,and,ashasbeennoted, itoltenis) , andalwayssetsitsellto thinkwhile
measuting sxac/theincommensutable and measuting itsellai/h _}
the incommensutable, his thinking is with Metleau-lonty, as neat
andlataspossibleintelationtotheMetleaulontywhoclaims,itwillbe
tecalled,tocoincideai/hanoncoincidence,itisanoncoincidencelco-
incidewithhete) , whichinlactdoestesembleNancy's simultaneityol
distanceandcontact. Howevet, atthispoint ,ptoblem, indetetmi-
nateness) , the othet olthewith intettupts all contempotaneity, co-
appeatance,andcommensutability.
Eatlietin BsingSinga/aP/aa/,p. ;6ll ) , moteovet, in thesectionCo-
appeating, Nancyanalyzeswhathetetms the chiasmus betweentwo
l

2OO Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
thoughts, Hussetl'sandHeidegget's,astwostylesoltheessentialityolthe
with. Andhedoes thispteciselybyhtstquotingHussetl 1he /sgs/hs-
nsssolmonads,theitmete -existencenecessatilysignihesa/sms/co-
existnce. ltisamattetolconveyingthatltis undoubtedlyhete inthe
Ca/ssian Msdi/a/isns- D. , mote than anywhete else, that Hussetl
showshowphenomenologyitsell/sachssitsownlimitandexceedsitem-
phasisadded . We cantecognizethetecuttentsyntagmainNancy-a
phtasingasteguatasitisdisotganizinganddistutbing./saching/s/imi/,
thustouchingtheuntouchable, ot touchingwithouttouching, ot touch-
inginpassingthetouchableottouched,touchingwhiledoingwithoutit
_snssassan/ds/sachs ,touchingandttavetsingwhatoneistouchingto-
watditsbeyond,andsolotth.Now-hegoeson-thissimultaneityolco-
existenceneedstimeandneedsspace,thatis,whatisneededistimeto
spaceitsell out, andaspaceoltempotaldis-tension, spaceolthepas-
sagethatpatts.
Letustetutnt oMetleau-lonty. lhavej ustdtawnahypotheticalsketch
olan altetnation. inwhatwayisitheldtothisquestion oltouch: ln the
wayolapatadox thevetythingthatneuttalizesottevetsestheptimot-
dialitythatHussetlacknowledges intouchinotdettoteapptoptiateapp-
tesentationinotiginatyptesentation,immediatepetception, conlusion,
coincidence,andsoon)willentetamuchtichetptoblematicoltheeye,
seeingandvisibility,thisvetything ispteciselythatwhich,convetsely, is
goingtomakeitcompelling,inoptical space, totakeinto accountapatt-
ness, distance, television,andeventheinvisible, theinvisibletightin
mcms thevisible.Letusclatithislotmalschemasomewhat.
litst,weestablishedthissymmettizationoltouchingandseeing,which
is both adtiltingawayandadeviationwith tespect toIdsasII) , andes-
peciallyoltouching-onesellandseeing-onesell, . . . wecouldnotpossi-
blytouchotseewithoutbeingcapableoltouchingotseeingoutselves
Metleau-lonty, Signs,p. i6 ) . ltanoiseDastut,seen., above)hasj ustly
highlightedaconceptionolvision thatleads Metleau-lontyto testote
thepatallelism between seeing and touchingthat Hussetl contested.
atliet-andwecanagteethatthisi s somethingaltogethetdilletentand
evenmotesetious thanapatallelism-she evenmentionstheexotbi-
tantptivilegethatMetleau-lontygtantstovision. 1hisexotbitance
oltheptivilegethus,inatevetsal,comesasasubstitutelottheastonish-
Ingsn/III 2OI
ingolanothetptivilege,theastonishingontologicalptivilegethatHus-
setlbestowsonthesenseoltouch.ltmaybeastonishingilweconnect
itnotonlytothethemeolssnsschaaintuitionolessences butalsoto
thegenetalimpottancethatlallstosightinHussetlianphenomenology.

ln this tespectatleast,etleau-lontybelongstotheWestetnttadition
ltomlatmenidestoHussetlthat,accotdingtoSsinandZsi/, hasptivi-
legedseeingastheuniquemodeolaccesstobeingsand/s/sing. ' Das-
tutobsetvesthat
theptivilegegiveutoputeiutuitiououtheuoeticplauecottespoudstothat
g|veutoobjectivelypteseutbeiugoutheoutologicalplaue.Heideggetspecihes,
moteovet,iuexplicitteleteucetoHussetliaupheuomeuology,thatThethesis
thatallcoguitiouaimsat iutuitiouhasthetempotalmeauiugthatallcogui-
tiouisamakiugpteseut, dehuiugthetebythemeauiugol8eiugas making
resentlot these philosophets olconscioasness, Kaut aud Hussetl. Metleau-
louty, withtegatdto the exor/itantriei/ege myemphasis-|. D. ] thathe
gtautstovisiou,hatdlyseemstohavedistaucedhimselliutelatioutothisloug
ttaditiou,whichseemsouthecouttatytoh uditsculmiuatioui utheuuique
questiouthattheauthotolE,eand/indcoutiuuestoasltomhish tsttohis
lastbook.whatisvisiou`lsituotpossible,uevettheless,whiletemaiuiugthe
iuhetitotolthettaditiou,toputiutoquestiouomaithintheuouexplicitpte-
suppositiousouwhichthettaditiouislouuded`
Alewtematks,now,tolieinwait,atthectosstoadsolsomethoughtsin
ptogtessaboutHeidegget'shand, andtheanimalwotldthatisputpott-
edly wotld-poot ,as//am)wheteoneistosupposethathumanbeings
being as///i/dsnd) would thetelote bewotld-tich ot tichet-a little
tichet`uchtichet`o whatpoint`Regatdinga//humans,asopposedto
a//animals`Andsoon. ) . ' omethingsateolhtstimpottancelot us in
thiscontextacettainhistotyoltouchingandsight,thehandandtheeye,
hominizationothumanualizationptocesses,andlivingbodies, andan-
imals who may nothave the hand olman at theit disposal and yet
would not be simplyatmless, and so on) , and in this mattet let us ac-
knowledgethe/acsoltheseconsidetationsbyHeideggetontheconnec-
tionbetweentheptiotityotptivilege, ng) ,whichissupposedlyttadi-
tionalandcontinuousthtoughoutWestetnontology ), olseeingtakenin
itsbtoadestsense,intuition,Anschaaang) ,andthismakingptesent ,Cs-
gsna/ing) motepatticulatlyin itstempotaldimension. he chaptet
inquestiondealswithananalysisconcetning,htstolal,whatptesentsit-
2O2 Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
sellinvatiousmannets/s /hshan / /hshand, a/hanothandi.To be
sute,Heideggetmentionsneithetthehandas such,thehandalone,not
thesenseoltouch,onlyseeingSshsn, |msich/,

/ssshsn, andnotex-
ptessly asense,otasthesensiblethatmightbedependentonasenseot-
gan) , buttathethandgestutes, thehandin motion, thehandinaction,
andmanuallabot.lndeed,evetythingheteleadsbacktoananaysisolthe
tempotalityolbeingin-the-wotldstattingltomZahandsnhsi/andlohan-
dsnhsi/.Thetewheteontologicalquestionscome into playonthesubject
olscientih cobj ectivationandespeciallyuselulthings ,Zsag) ,whileHei-
deggetdoes notnamethe hand, insevetalinstances, hedesignateshan-
dng, mania/a/isn,Han/issn, Han/isang) , aswell as theellects olthe
intetptetation olbeings as lohandsnhsi/, ot, hete especially, as handi-
ness, Zahandsnhsi/.Letusnotlotgetthatthetematkatissuehete,about
theptiotity otptivilegeolseeing,beginswithanallusiontomanipu-
lation,Han/isang) inthesciences,olwhichitissaidthatitisin/hsss-
icss puteobsetvation, that is,hnally, in thesetviceolseeingandthe
intuitionolthethingsthemselves. Leadingto the conclusionbyHei-
deggetthatTheideaolthein/ai/ashasguidedallintetptetationolknowl-
edge evet sincethe beginnings olGteek ontologyup to today, whethet
thatintuition isactuallyattainableotnot, Kant'ssentencethenquoted
byHeideggetiswotthtecalling-notonlylitetallybutalsointhewotds
thatHeideggetemphasizes,includingthetematkhemakestodtawatten-
tiontohisemphasis.Thetetmmeansweighsheavilyhete.ltiswhen
andinsolatas-thinkingisthoughtasamsansthatin/ai/isnisdominant
-andwithit, thetelote,sssing, andmotepteciselystill, anopticalintu-
itionismoltheimmsdia/s antthuswtites,withHeidegget's emphasis.
To whatevet kind olobjects one'sknowledge may telate itselland by
whatevetmeans,dachas/hsMi/s/)itmaydoso,stillthatthtoughwhich
ittelates itselltothemimmediately,anmi//s//a) ,andahicha///hin/ing
asa msanshasasi/sgsa/ Heidegget'sitalics isin/ai/isn,andasaaa//ss
Dsn/sna/sMis/a/asc//v. gesp.

disAnschaaang) .
AltetwhichHeideggetgoesonwithalundamentalanalysisolthecon-
sequences andquestionsmadenecessatybywhatthuslinksseeing,in-
spection,petspective,citcumspection, |msich/)withptacticaltakingcate
,das a//ischs"Bsssgsn) .Attheoutsetolthis development,Heidegget
hadtecalledthecomplexityolthetelationbetweenaxisandtheotetical
investigation that ptetends to beindependent. ltom the ctudest to the
mostteh ned,ltompencilsto mictoscopes, these manipulations ptopetly
cIII 2O)
pettainingtoscientih cinvestigationatenevetontologicallyinsignih cant
otindilletent, nomote than the boundatybetweenthe theotetical and
atheoteticalappeatsinthelightolday. eloteweintettuptthisdigtes-
sion, letusagainemphasizethatthetetmssenseotsensibilitydonot
appeatinthisatgument.We lutthetknowthatHeideggettegulatlysays
thatitisnotbecausewehaveeatsthatweheatbut,invetsely,wehaveeats
becauseweheat. Hewould likewise saythatseeingdoes not depend on
anyoculat otgan, andsolotth.
Letus come backtoMetleaulonty once again. ltis, nodoubt,hatdly
disputablethathehas in lacttendedto testotethepatallelism between
seeingandtouchingthatHussetlcontested, pethapsespeciallyinhisatti-
cleinSis) ,andthathehasalsoconlettedonvisionan exotbitantptivi-
lege, which isadilletent thing. Dastut thensetsaloota teadingthatis
evenmoteaccutate,askinghetsellwhethetitispossible,whiletemaining
aninhetitottothettadition,toputintoquestion ai/hinthenonex-
plicitptesuppositionsonwhichthettaditionislounded,itismoteaccu-
tate, which is tosaygenetous, with tegatd to the Metleau-lontywho is
moteattentivetodistancingandnoncoincidence,totheinvisibleandthe
untouchable,toahiatusnotabsenteveninthe|ss/nisol whichHussetl
speaks-andthiseveninalivingptesentthathastobeintetpteteddihet-
entlyltom coincidence andlusion, andstattinsteadltoma tetention, a
pastptesent simultaneity lot which a philosophy olconsciousness
cannotaccount. AndevenilthespeculatityoleingisMetleau-lonty's
last wotd, as it is the culmination ol the metaphysics olvision in the
Hegeliandialectic,hehascattiedoutadisplacementatoncebothinhn-
itesimalandtadicalinthisphilosophicalttaditionolabsoluteteection.
etween touch and sight, thequestion olptivilege ot patallelism
cettainlytakesonthegteatestimpottance,withallthatstillseemstobeat
stakeinwhatitcommands,with theeval uations itinvolves, the hietat-
chicalotdets,andthemoteotlesssubtleandstabilizabletevetsalstowhich
thesesensescangivetise. , lltheystillatesensible sensesAs lhavej ust
tematked, Heidegget's pondetingaboutthesaidttaditionalptivilegeol
seeingisnot, ltomtheoutset,ate ectiononsensibilityassuch. )What
temains,asl suggestedeatliet-aaisHeidegget, inaway-is thatone
mighthavetogoinlotasttuctuteolexpetienceinwhichthisptivilege
otptiotity , a) olsightottouch,whethetexotbitant otnot) no
2Oq Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
longetmeansmuch,ilthesaidttadition ,sincethebeginningsoltee
ontologynevetshowsanyptivilegelotthegae,no opticaltheotetism
withoutaninvincibleintuitionismthatisaccomplished,lul lled,llyel-
lectuated,stattingltomahapticalotiginot/s/ssiltheteisnoopticalin-
tuitionismwithouthaptocenttism, andillutthetmote ,in tegatdto this
intuitionism,whichish nallyhomogeneous,undilletentiating,absolute,
stubbotn,absutd, and in the hnal accountinsensibleotsmooth-i. e. ,
deal, blind,andimpassive thelateolthisintetsensibility, hencelotthit-
teduciblyttopological,hgutal,andmetonymicallowsonetoseeandheat
andleelandtasteabitoltouchingevetywhete. indeed,whowoulddeny
thatwecantouchwithoutvoice-closeotlataway, natutallyottechni-
cally, ilwe couldstill telyonthisdistinction, inthe open ait otonthe
phone-andthus,eventouchtotheheatt:Whethettheyatemaintained
otsubvetted,thesepatallelismsatenolongetdetetmining-not,hnally,
atetheydetetminedot even detetminable.
ndthesebattleslotthehegemonyotequality,lottheatistoctacyolone
sense,otthedemoctacyolallthesenses-don'ttheythenbecomettihing,
nomattethowvitulent,howscsqsm/si/sd, /ss/handnai/_achanss} `
ln theitpolemicalduels,thesebattlesatepossibleonlyinsolatas thete is
no longetanysenseptopet, sttict and citcumsctibable, to each olthese
senses,butonlyttopologicaldisplacementsandsubstitutions,thatis,ptos-
theticpossibilities.lltheteweteanypossibleaccotdaboutasenseptopet
-sttictandcitcumsctibable, stabiliable, itteplaceable, notteducibleto
ptostheticsubstitution-youcanbetthatnodiscotdcouldhavelastingly
atisen,whethetaboutpatallelismotexotbitantptivilege. hisisnot
becauseitwouldbenecessatytostattltomanundihetentiatedsensibility
otabodywithoutotgans-quitetheconttatybutltomanothetotgani-
ation,natutalandtechnical,otiginatyinasmachasptosthetical olwhat
istetmedsensibility, thebodyptopet, ottheesh andinthehnalac-
count,withouttoomuchlaitheithetincommonsenseotinahistotical
cultutethatwithholds itsnameandpasses itsellollas natutal, otinthe
commonsenseolacultutethatstilllotces ustocountthesensesonthe
hngetsolasinglehand,thehandolmanmanalways.1heteisnotone
sensenotone,two,thtee,lout, ve,otsix.Weatetoleelandcountoth-
etwise,andbesides,weatedoingitthatishowitgoes.Andthatiswhy
thetechnical,thatistosay,ptosthetics,nevetwaits.lntheend,thisiswhat
Nancy, tome,seemsto meanwhenhespeasola/schnolbodies -
welltalaboutthis againandwhatthese days comesundetthesome-
Iangsn/III zo;
what rellglous appellatlon esh or body, as th attest and least
trendllyconnectedolthemesandterms-lnatermlnalcoma, abody
all atonce common and exceptlonal, substitutablewithanyotherinas-
machasi/isansa/s/i/a/a//s , Nancy, Csas, pp. ?o?i) , and especlally
whenhesaystherelsnothesenseoltouch,ibld. , p io|) l supposehe
couldj ustaswellhavesaid,Thereisnothesenseolvlslon, andsoon
And there hls problematlc olsenseandthe senses olthe sense olthe
world,andsoon, opens up.
Now,howcanweexplaln,wlthoutprostheticandtropologicalplay, and
wlthouttheoriglnarysupplementarityj ustdesignated,thatMerleaulonty
couldmakesomuchroomlorantagonlstlcmotlls ,orthathehadto,later
oratthesametlme)-namely, lortouching,dlstanclng, noncolncldence
thatdissoclateswlthin/s/hseelngandtouchlng,lorthelmminenceolan
everconceaedaccess,lorlnterruptlon, thelnvisibleandtheuntouchable
-whllehavingparallelized thesenses olslghtand touch, or, as a hrst
oddity, addltionallyconlerredanexorbitantprlvllege onthelormerand
remalnedsoeloquentaboutconluslon,colncidence,reHection,orlglnarity,
prlmordlalpresence,andso onlorIhslisi//sand/hsInisi//sis, ln thls
respect,asrlchatextas itisheterogeneous, andallthemoreproluseslnce
ltstaysonthemove andundecldedwlth respecttoall thesealternatives
andtheirloglcalconslstency ltisimpossibleheretodoj ustlcetothisgreat
worklnprogress, andespeciallytodetectinltlnaveryrlgorouslashion
whatservesaslurtherdevelopmenttoIhsS/ac/assBshaisandPhs-
nsmsns/sgysPscs/isn.However,letusrecall,lorexample-thoughtoo
hastlly-theattentlonglvento replacement saancs andsubstltu-
tion, inPhsnsmsns/sgsPscs/isn,thustoacertalnspontaneous,quasi-
pretechnicalprosthetlcs, lnthecourseolMerleau-lontyslamousanalyses
olthephantomllmb, theunsoundorpathologicalsenseoltouch,or
potentlal_i/as/ touch,ibld. ,pp. o,, ?) .Letusalsothlnkolthedll-
lerencethatheexplores betweenthealleged purelytactllewhlchl tryto
extractbylnvestigatlngblindnessandintegrated touch, olthenonjux
taposltlonbetweentactlleandvlsualdat innormalsubjects,accordlngto
Dr.Kurt Goldsteln) ,andespeciallyolthesnass/hs/icunityolthesenses,
lntersensory unity olthe thlng, man as ssnssiam csmmans, Herder) .
Synaestheticperceptlon is the rule ,Merleau-lonty, Phsnsmsns/sg s
Pscs/isn,pp. zz,,z;;z;,) orthesensescommunicatewltheachother.
Musiclsnotlnvlslblespace,butitbesleges,undermlnesit,p. zz;) . Thls
zo6 Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
language,whichussetlwouldhaveoltenj udgedtoometaphotical,makes
itpetmissibletospeak olsynaestheticanalogyhnallygtoundedinaspa-
tialitythatiscommontothevisibleandthetangible,aswellasatouch-
ingbytheeyes, lotexampleThevetylactthatthewayispavedtottue
visionthtoughaphaseolttansitionandthtoughasottoltouchellected
bytheeyeswouldbeincomptehensibleunless theteweteaquasi-spatial
tactileh eld,intowhichtheh tstvisualpetceptionsmaybeinsetted,ibid. ,
p.zz;)
l t isinsolatasvisionthatisptopetlyspatialalteadyptepateslotthis
,thewayispaved)andsecutesaphaseolttansitionthtoughasottol
touchellectedbytheeyes thatthetactileheld, whichisonlyquasi-
spatial, seems to come belotehand-so that the visible comes alteady
belote what comes belote it. ision ptopetlyspeaking isahead olwhat
nonetheless seems toconditionit. Such aptesentationolthingsistathet
signih cant-andquasi-teleological,letusadd.Thisptesentationwillpet-
sistinIhslsi//sand/hsInisi//s, intetmsthatateclosetothis,seeingis
beingptemeditated. . . thevisiblebodyptovides lotthehollowwhencea
visionwillcome,inaugutatesthelongmatutationatwhosetetmsuddenly
itwillsee,thatis,willbevisiblelotitsell Metleau-lonty, lsi//sand/hs
Inisi//s, p. i| ) . lndeed, although Metleau-lonty gives the gteatest
weighttothissynaesthesia,henevetexcludesahietatchicalotdetltomit,
andthenconletsonvisionaheavyptimacy, accompaniedbyd itseemsto
meassetiousasitisauthotitatian.lotexample,thesensesshouldnotbe
putonthesamebasis, asiltheyweteallequallycapableolobjectivityand
accessibletointentionality.Expetiencedoesnotptesentthemtous equiv-
alent itseemstomethatisaa/sxsisncsis/as/han/ac/i/ssxsisncs,
thatitgatnets within itsellitsown /a/handaddsto it, becauseitstichet
sttuctuteollets memodalitiesolbeing unsuspectedbytouch ,Metleau-
lonty,Phsnsmsns/sgsPscs/isn,p.z;|ni, my emphasis-|. D. slightly
modih ed-Ttans. ) .
Thisdidnotpteventhimalittleeatlietltomassociatingonthesameba-
sis otplane-olptimotdial contactwithbeing-touchotsight,see
ottouch, andto state Thustheunityandthedivetsityolthesensesate
/a/hs olthe same otdet ,ibid. , p. zzi , myemphasis-|. D. )-an am-
biguouslotmulationthatdoes not allowustoset things sttaight.Atethe
ttuthsolthesame otdet lotdivetse meaningsthatstillbecomeunited,
otlot a divetsitythat isequivalentto aunity: lnanycase, iloutown
body ptopetisastheheatt,itisalsoaheattthatseesotgivesliletothe
Iangsn/III o
/
living Outown bodyisinthewotld as the heatt isintheotganism. it
keepsthevisiblespectacleconstantlyalive,itbteatheslifeintoitandsus-
tainsitinwatdly,andwithitfotmsasystem ,ibid. ,p.o;)
etusatlastnotethatthissamebookvetyoften ,toooftenfotanex-
haustivesutvey) deals with the exampleofthehand, thepaiteyeand
hand ,ibid. , p. 6) otthesetofmana/anda ,ibid. , p. io;) . ,1his
conh tmstowhatextentthisphenomenologyofpetceptionisananthto-
pology, it ovetshadows the ptoblems ofboth animalityand hominiza-
tion. )lnotdettomapthingsoutathtst,wecanatleastttytofollowthe
dotted outlineofa few ofhislines whenwithoutanybettayal otde-
nial-theitttacingssctamblethestaticsofbotdetlinesthatwouldstabilize
apatallelismotestablishaptivilege.
lnIhslsi//sand/hsInisi//s, themattetofthelookingeyewilllatet,
andevetywhete,temainanovethowingtheme,tobesuteattheotiginof
thewotldandthevetynotionofwotld,itknowsnobotdet,inaway-no
extetnalbotdet. till,thisthemethatspillsovetboatdisvisiblyovettunat
oncebyknowingaswellasbysaying,h tstofal-evenbefotetheintetna
foldofa tunningbotdet, which cannotbe distinguishedftomitand is
calledtheinvisible,ovettunsit. nowingandsaying, ontheothethand,
can neithetseenotbeseen. ltisatthesametimetuethatthewotldis
aha/assssand that, nonetheless,we must leatn to seeith tst in the
sensethatwemustmatchthisvisionwithknowledge,takepossessionof
it, sa what asandwhatsssingate, actthetefoteas ifwe knewnothing
aboutit,Metleau-lonty, lsi//sand/hsInisi//s,p. |) .
ythesametoken,theeye'sauthotityisquestioned,otcaledinto ques-
tion, intheeyeofthewotld, ptecisely. utaml /ssms/hssss`Moteex-
actlyisbeing/ssms/hssssmyultimateteality: ,ibid. , p. ; .
ikewise,wemusttakeintoaccounttheotiginalwayinwhichh e tteats
theinvisible,aninvisiblethatis not intelligibleotideal, butaninvisible
thatwouldnot-thoughigh/atthevisible-betheinvisibleasans/hs
isi//spossible, ' otapossible'visiblefotan othet ,p. ,) .1hatiswhy
we musttaise the question the invisiblelife, the invisiblecommunity,
the invisibleothet,theinvisiblecultute. Elabotateaphenomenology
ofthe othetwotld, ' as thelimitofa phenomenologyoftheimaginaty
andthehidden' ,ibid. , p. ,) .

1hesingulatmotifoftheinvisible-visibleinvadesevetythingitisallat
onceovetHowingandovettun,exceedingitsboundsotlostonitsbotdets,
intetnallycoiledovetatunningbotdetthatputsitsoutsidein-unlessit

o? Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
lets evetythingallectit, inpatticulatevetythingthatwasuptothen kept
citcumspectlyandtespectlullyatbay, thatis, beginningwithnoncoinci-
dence, withwhichitseems hencelotththat l nolongetcoincidesso
easily.Andmotehospitablynow, itisthethtesholdolthesenseoltouch
that is openlygteetingnoncoincidence, intettuption,allthatmakeste-
vetsibility ot teHexivity always inaccessible, and only imminent-the
thtesholdoltouch, cettainly, but asenseoltouch ,in this instancede-
ptivedolanygiventevetsibilitybetweentouchingandtouched) always
conspicuouslyput on anequallootingwhichshouldbeanequalhand
withall the othet senses otothetotgans olmybody, sight oteye,
heating,eatotvoice.1hisseemspatticulatlyobvious,otgtipping,otbet-
tetgtaspedbytheeat)in1helntettwining-theChiasm. Hete,inthe
coutseoloneolthemostexplicitdehnitionsoltheHeshweatespeaking
ol, theexampleolthehandcomespedagogicallytodtivethediscoutse,
eventhetewhetethisdiscoutseisintentondemonsttatingthatleelingis
somewhat dispetsed. 1heatgumentisbalancedandsttetchesbetween
wopoles, as ilitwantedto say. theteissomedispetsion,but nevetthe-
less. . . ' 1heteis no the' sense olvision, butnevettheless. . . theteis
that centtal vison 1hete is no the sense oltouch, but nevetthe-
less. . . theteisthatuniquetouchWhichmoteovetislikean l think
thathnallyisnothingbutmyHesh. Amongthe tematkablettaitsolthe
passagequotedbelow,acontinuousttansitionseemstoptoceed-asilon
its own, as ilthiswentwithout saying-ltom an inltasttuctutalexem-
platityolvision,myvisibleisconhtmedasanexemplatolaunivetsalvis-
ibiliy. . . thought mustbebtoughttoappeatditectlyintheinltasttuc-
tuteolvision) tothedispetsionwithoutdispetsionolauniquewayol
touchingolwhichthehtstexampleismyhand. Letusquotethisatgu-
ment, thetelote,ltomthemomentwhenMetleau-lontymakesuseolthe
wotd we touc inahgutativesensetosayasecondothgutativemean-
ingolvisionandletusonce moteundetscote thewotkoltheexample,
theexemplat, otthelotexample.
Attheltoutietolthemuteotsolipsistwotldwhete, iuthepteseuceolothet
seets,myvisibleiscouhtmedasauexem/aolauuivetsalvisibility, wetouch
asecoudothgutativemeauiugolvisiou,whichwillbetheintaitasmentisot
idea,asublimatiouolthe esh,whichwillbemiudotthought. . . . Thought
isatelatioushipwithouesellaudwiththewotldaswellasatelatioushipwith
the othet, heuce itisestablishediuthe thtee dimeusious at the same time.
Aud it must be btoughtto appeat ditectly iu the iultasttuctute olvisiou.
Iangsn/ zo,
,Metleau-louty si//eandtheIneisi//e, p. i|,,slightlymodih ed-Ttaus. ), l
haveemphasizedexem/ar.-|. D. )
lnltasttuctute thewotdmaycomeasasutptise. Does inltasttuc-
tuteolvisionmeanthatvisionistheinltasttuctutes thoughtotthat
thoughtisalteadyintheinltasttuctutethete,as nltasttuctutes vi-
sion:Whatlollows isallthemote equivocal inthis tespect. Ontheone
hand,Metleau-lontydelibetatelyleavesinsuspensethequestionolwhat
isim/ica/sd and, ontheothethand,theexampleolthehand comes lotth
withoutanydelay, immediatelyaetwatd,inotdettollusttatewhat,amo-
mentago,was tetmeddispetsionwithoutdispetsionolleelingandtouch-
ing.lnotdettoillusttatethisotpethaps-buttheteisnotelling-inotdet
toapptoachtheinltasttuctutethusimplicated.
Audit thought mustbebtoughttoappeatditectlyintheiultasttuctuteol
visiou. 8toughttoappeatwesay,auduotbtoughttobtth.lotweateleaviug
iususpeuselotthemomeutthequestiouwhethetitwoulduotbealteadyim-
plicated thete. Mauilestas itisthatleeliugsdispetsed iumybody, thatlot
example myhaud touchesaudthatcousequeutlywemayuot iu advauceas-
ctibeleeliugtoathoughtolwhich itwouldbebutamode-ityetwoud be
absutdtocouceivethetouchasacolouyolassembledtactileexpetieuces.We
ateuotheteptoposiugauyempiticistgeuesisolthought. we ateaskiugpte-
ciselywhatisthatceuttalvisiouthatj oiusthescattetedvisious,thatuuique
touchthatgovetusthewholetactilelileolmybodyasauuit,thatIthinkthat
mustbeabletoaccompauyalloutexpetieuces.,ibid. p.i|,)
Let us note in passingthat this hgute olleelingdispetsed in my
bodyalteadyimposesitsellinPhsnsmsns/sgysPscs/isn,inthecoutse
olthetich, complexchaptettitledSenseExpetience, j ustatthepoint
wheteMetleau-lontyassettsthatsensationis/i/sa/alotmolcommu-
nion,asquotedeatliet) . ecauselknowthatthelightsttikesmyeyes,
that contact ismadebytheskin, thatmyshoe huttsmyloot,l dispetse
thtough mybodypetceptionswhichteallybelongto mysoul, and put
petception intothethingpetceived ,Metleau-lonty, Phsnsmsns/sgy s
Pscs/isn,pp. ziz;) .
Oneoltheconclusionswecanunambiguouslydtawltomthisanalysis,
in Ihslsi//sand/hsInisi//s,olhisexample ,thehand,myhandas
thehandolaman) aswellasolthedehnitionol esh, whichwillnot
belongincoming,isthatthesecanonlyteletthisthoughtaboutanin-
ltasttuctuteolvisiontoawemeaningwe,men. Whatthenlollows,


zi o Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
announcingandnamingtheconceptolesh, couldnotbesaidaboutany
other |ivingbeing, norinanyotherwayexceptinthehrstpersonolaha
manp|ural.
thatuuiquetouchthatgovetusthewholetactilelileolmybodyasauuit,that
Ithinkthatmustbeabletoaccompauyalloutexpetieuces.We ateptoceed-
iugtowatdtheceutet,weateseekiugto compteheud howtheteisaceutet,
whattheuuitycousistsol,weateuotsayiugthatitisasumotatesult,audil
wemakethethoughtappeatupouauiultasttuctuteolvisiou,thisisoulyiu
vittueoltheuucoutestedevideucethatouemustseeotleel why see, at
h tst`Whyseeotleel`Whatisthevalueolthis ot`-|. D. iu somewayiu
otdettothiuk,thatevetythoughtkuowuto usoccuts toa esh. ,Metleau-
louty, \isi//candthcIneisi//c, pp. i|,-|6)
ltislairlyobviousthatthis we, this us, this everythoughtknown
tousoccurs toaesh, canimplynothingbut awe, men, andthatthis
conceptolesh,oltheinlrastructureolvision, andhnallyandcorrela-
tivelyolworld, andhesh oltheworld, caninnowayrelertoother
animals, otherlivingbeings1hiswouldbelessobviousiltheprecau-
tionsMerleau-lontytakestowithdrawhisprojectlromsomeanthropol-
ogyweremore convincng, and la discourseabout thestatus and the
rightsolthis we-aswell as nonhumanorsupposedlyhandless ani-
mals-weresulh cientlydeve|opedatthispoint. Myhypothesis, thatis,
that this we isa we, men, does notseem to becontradictedbythe
very|ast workingnote, which announces the plan olthe book and
purportstorejectanycompromisewithhamanism,andanybeginning
a/hsminsasDescartesdid.1heprojectedb|ueprintwouldhard|yhave
avoided such a compromise, l think, andwe could probab|ysay the
sameolthearchitectureolPhsnsmsns/sgysPscs/isn.Whilethesecond
partheannounces Nature) isadescriptionolthemananimalityin/s-
/ainingresemb|ingHusser|'sIdsasII preciselyinitsmiddlesection) ,the
third part isneitherlogic, norteleologyolconsciousness, butastudy
olthelanguagethathasman. Aprivi|egelorman,therelore-manwho
isthuscalled,and,lromthispoint on,cal|edupontoanswerlorthe/sgss
/ha/hsdsssns/have,tobesure,but/ha/hashim,andaboveal|,whichis
realizedsolelythroughmanandinman lntruth,this/sgssisnoth-
ingbutthevisible. Ihsisi//shastobedescribedassomethingthatisre-
a|izedthrough man, butwhichisnowise _na/smsn/}anthropologyhence
againstleuerbachMarx?||) ibid. ,p z/|) .
`
Iangsn/III z
l s i t enought oassettit:Doesn'tthisnowise na//smsn/ havetheen-
etgy ola denial : How can something be desctibed that is tealized
thtoughmanwithoutotbeyondananthtopo-logy:anthtopo:
Especiallyilwhatisthussa/izsdthtoughmanandinmanisptecisely
Logos,theWotd:singanothetnowise,Metleau-lontylutthetspeaks
olLogosalsoaswhatistealizedinman, butnowise na//smsn/ as his
ss/,ibid. , p z
/|)
ltisthetelotealwaysinthelotmoladenial-alaitlyunconvincingde-
nial-thatMetleaulontyptotestsagainstan anthtopologicalintetpteta-
tionolhisdesign. lotexample,whenheundettakestodemonsttatethat
w henwe speakoltheHesh olthevisible,wedonotmean to do an-
thtopology,todesctibeawotldcovetedovetwithalloutownptojections
anditisindeedthepatadoxolei ng, notapatadoxolman,thatweate
dealingwithhete ,ibid. , p. ;6) , oneolhisatgumentsleadstohands,sa
handsesotnodowehaveabody-thatis,notapetmanentobjectol
thought, butaeshthatsulletswhenitiswoundedhandsthattouch:
We knowhandsdonotsulhcelottouch-buttodecidelotthisteason
lonethatouthandsdonottouch,andtotelegatethemtothewotldolob-
jectsotolinsttuments,wouldbe,inacquiescingtothebilutcationolsub-
jectandobject,tolotegoinadvancetheundetstandingolthesensibleand
todeptiveoutselvesolitslights,ibid. , p i;/) .
What makes teadingMetleaulontys o ttoublesome ,lot me) : What
makestheintetptetationolhismodeolphilosophical wtitingathingat
oncepassionatelyexcitinganddilh cult,yetalsoittitatingotdisappoint-
ingattimes:ltmaybethis,inawotdweteencountetthemovementthat
wehadevoked-thisexpetienceolcoincidenceai/hnoncoincidence,the
coincidenceolcoincidenceai/hnoncoincidence-ttanslettedtothe ot-
detol,inconsequential)consequenceot,intettupted)continuityinphilo-
sophicaldiscoutses,andinawaythatisnotalways dachtonicloll ow-
ing the evolutionotmutationolawayolthinking-butsynchtonousat
times.Shallwegivethephilosophetcteditlotthis,aslamoltentempted
todo,ot, on theconttaty, tegtetthathewas unable to cattyoutamote
powetlultelotmalizationolhisdiscoutseinotdettothematizeandthink
thelawundetwhichhewasthusplacinghimsell-always,in/,andall
thingsconsideted,singcoincidence,olcoincidencewithnoncoin-
cidence) to noncoincidence ,olcoincidencewithnoncoincidence) :Let
ustemainwithoutlavotedsubjects,astheyatetteatedinIhslisi//sand
/hsInisi//s,andgivealewexamplesolthis
-
.
|
2I 2 Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
Pa/q, ontheonehand,wecantecognizean incteasinginsistenceon
sell-inadequation,dehiscences,hssions,intettuptions,incompletion,and
thevisiblebodopenlgaping,aswellashiatuses,eclipses,theinaccessi
bilitolthis plenitude otthis tevetsibility, thispute, sensible teexivit,
whichalwastemainsimminsn/,andthenthequestionwillalwastemain.
whatcountsmoteisitimminence,alwasinsuspense,otthataetwhich
imminence is chasing, dtiving it and keeping it evet disappointed and
bteathless:ltomwheteisonetodepatt:Withwhatisonetopatt:Whatis
imminence:Whatcountsmostinit:Whattheimminenceexpects,otthe
lactthatitisdoomedlotevettowait,towaitinvain:). We caneventecog-
nizehisadmissionthathehadoncespokensummatilolatevetsibilityol
theseeingandthevisible,olthetouchingandthetouched-andthetwo
atenowputonthesameplane, appatentl. Andthisisthevetdehnition
oleshbwaolthetecuttinghgutesolcsi/ingandsncsaching.
Ouce agaiu, theheshweatespeakiugolis uotmattet. ltisthecoiliugovetol
the visible upou the seeiug body, olthe taugible upou the touchiug body,
whichisattested iu patticulatwheu the bodyseesitsell, touchesitsellseeiug
aud touchiug the thiugs, such that, simultaueously, astaugible it desceuds
amougthem,H touchiugitdomiuatesthemallauddtawsthistelatioushipaud
eveuthis doubletelatioushipltomitsell, bydehisceuceoth ssiouolitsowu
mass. . . asthoughthevisiblebodytemaiuediucomplete,gapiugopeu. . . . To
begiuwith,we spokesummatilyolatevetsibilityoltheseeiugaudthevisible,
olthetouchiugaudthetouched.ltistimetoemphasizethatitisatevetsibil-
ityalways immiueutauduevettealizediulact.Mylenhaudisalwaysouthe
vetgeoltouchiugmytighthaudtouchiugthethiugs,butluevetteachcoiuci-
deuce thecoiucideuceeclipsesatthe momeutoltealizatiou,audoueoltwo
thiugs always occuts eithet my tight haud teally passes ovet to the taukol
touched,buttheuitsholdouthewotldisiutettupted,otittetaiusitsholdou
thewotld,buttheuldouotteallytouchimytighthaudtouchiug,l pal-
patewithmy|elthaudoulyitsoutetcovetiug.Likewise,l douotheatmysell
as l heattheothets. . . l amalwaysouthesamesideolmybody. . . thisiu-
cessautescapiug _dro/adc],thisimpoteucytosupetposeexactlyupou oueau-
othet the touchiugolthe thiugs bymytight haud audthetouchiugolthis
same tighthaudbymylelt haud, ottosupetpose,iuthe explotatoty move-
meutsolthehaud,thetactileexpetieuceolapoiutaudthatolthesamepoiut
amomeutlatet,ottheauditotyexpetieuceolmyowuvoiceaudthatolothet
voices-that|s uotalailute. . . this hiatusbetweeumy tighthaudtouched
audmytighthaudtouchiug,betweeumyvoiceheatdaudmyvoiceutteted,
betweeuouemomeutolmytactilelileaudthelollowiugoue, isuotauouto
Iangsn/III 2I)
logical void, a uou-beiug itis spauued enam/] bythe total beiugolmy
body ,ibid. , pp. i|6-|?)

Weshouldthusbethinkinga//hssams/ims,sima//anssasq, thisspan-
ningsnam/smsn/ bythetotalbeingolmybody, andthewholeintet-
tuption olwhat, ptecisely, lets itsellbeneithetspanned not totalized,
completed,ottehected1hisa//hssams/imsbelongstothevetyexpeti-
ence-itselldisjoinedandsynthetic-olimminsncsandsssn/imsn/.lot,
j ustasMetleau-lontynotesolthisimminenttevetsibilitythatnevethap-
pensthatitalwaysmiscatties,helikewisenonethelessmaintainsthepos-
sibilityotvittualityolasynthesisonthescoteolaptesentimentotleel-
ingolimminence. 1hisnoncoincidenceasevet-imminentcoincidence,
this ittevetsibilitythat is always onthevetgeolbecoming tehexive te-
vetsibility, iswhatMetleau-lontydesctibesatwotkinvisionasas//asin
touch,andhesometimesputsthetwoonexactlythesameplane,j ustas
heptoposesthatthesituationoltheuntouchableistigotouslyandlitet-
allyanalogousto thesituation oltheinvisible.1heuntouchableisnota
possible,otonlyinc/inaccessible)tangible,notnymotethanthein-
visible,aswetecall,isans/hsisi//spossible, ' otapossible'visiblelot
anothet
Totouch audto touch ouesell,to touch ouesell touched-touchiug) .They
douotcoiucideiuthebody.thetouchiugisuevetexactlythetouched.This
doesuotmeauthattheycoiucideiuthemiudotatthelevelolcouscious-
uess. Somethiugelsethauthebodyisueededlottheuuctioutobemadeit
takesplaceiutheantoacha//e.Thatoltheothetwhichlwilluevettouch.8ut
whatlwilluevettouch,hedoesuottoucheithet,uoptivilegeolouesellovet
theothethete,itisthetelote uot theconscioasnessthatis the uutouchable
Thecousciousuesswouldbesomethiugpositive,audwithtegatdtoitthete
wouldtecommeuce,doestecommeuce,thedualityolthe teectiugaudthe
tehected,likethatolthetouchiugaudthetouched.Theuutouchableisuota
touchableiulactiuaccessibletheuucousciousisuotatepteseutatiouiulact
iuaccessible. . . . Theuutouchable,audalsotheiuvisible.lotthesameaualy-
siscaubetepeatedlotvisiou. . ,ibid. , p. z,)
Metleau-lonty nevet closed the patenthesis, as laude elott noted
whenheeditedthistext,whichissotematkable,solattemovedltomall
thosewithwhichwe began.1hepatenthesistemainsunclosed, uponan
analysisthatgoeson, onthesubjectolthevisible,andthatlshouldhave
quotedandcloselyanalyzedinsx/snss.

2Iq Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
What does Metleau-lonty designate by something else than the
body, thatis notthemindotconsciousness:We shall nevetbeclosetto
whatNancy-the Nancywhowtote sas-heteshateswithMetleau
lonty,notclosettothebeginningoutlineolothetshatings,ptoximities,
andpattitions.
lot,a/,ontheothethand,Metleau-lonty-inthesamepassage
intendstotetainthej unction, andinwhatimmediatelylollowswithin
thepatenthesisleopen,asinsomanyothetplacesolthisplannedbook,
thecontact. . . withssteappeats,aswellasindivision, andaspecu-
latitythat,thtoughhssion, ptoducesonlyamoteptoloundadhesionto
SelTheschemaolthecotpotealschema isas uniingandsynthetic
asaKan tianschema.
thismovemeutiseutitelywoveuoutolcoutactswithme. . . . Thecotpoteal
schemawoulduotbeaschemailitweteuotthiscoutactolseqwithseq,which
istathetnon-dq rence) ,commoupteseutatiouto . . 7
The hesh olthe wotld ,the quale) is iudivisiou olthis seusible 8eiug
that l am audall the test which leels itsellsesent] iu me, pleasute-teality
iudivisiou-
Theeshisamirrorhenomenon . . To touchouesell,toseeouesell,isto
obtaiu suchaspeculatexttactolouesell. l . e. hssiou olappeatauce aud 8e-
i ug-ah ssiouthatalteadytakesplaceiuthetouch,dualiyolthetouchiug
audthetouched) audwhich,withthemittot, Natcissus) isoulyamotepto-
louudadhesiontoSell. ,ibid. ,pp.z,,,6)
Andaboveall thelogicolthisexttactleadsback-teassettingit-to
thisexemplatityolthehandandthehnget,impottingwithit,inthethink-
ing olHesh, thewhole discutsive machinethatwe ate questioning hete
undettheheadinghumanualism.
lotexample onemonth eatliet) , adj ustment and teciptocitygovetn
evetything
Ouewouldhetehavetostudyiuwhatseusetheothetsseusotialityisimpli-
catediumyowu.toleelmyeyesistoleelthattheyatethteateuedwithbe-
iugseeu-8utthecottelatiouisuotalwaysthusoltheseeiugwiththeseeu,
otolspeakiugwithheatiug. myhauds,mylaceatealsoolthevisible.The
caseolteciptocity,seeiugseeu) , ,touchiugtouchediuthehaudshake)isthe
majotaudpetleccase,wheteeteisqaasi-re)ection ,Einh/ang) ,Ineinan-
der,thegeuetalcaseistheadj ustmeutolavisiblelotmetoataugiblelotme
Iangsn/

audolthisvisiblelotmetoavisiblelottheothet-,lotexample,myhaud) .
,ibid. , p. z|,)
Otagain,alewmonthslatet,thispointolthechiasmuswhetenothing
seemstocountbutteciptocity.Soalsothetouched-touching.1hissttuc-
tuteexistsinonesoleotgan1he esholmyhngets " eacholthemis
phenomenalh ngetandobjectivehnget,outsideandinsideolthehngetin
teciptocity, inchiasm,activityandpassivitycoupled1heoneenctoaches
upontheothet,theyateinatelationoltealopposition,ant)-Localss
olthehnget. itsspaceisleltleeling ,ibid. , p. .
ltwould beunlaitandviolenttoteachaconclusionheteandclosethe
atgument uponthetesetvationsthatthis exemplatityolthehand,withall
thatitimplies, inspites. Such a closing would be unwotthy olwhat te-
mains open and at wotk in pages so sttong, so alive, which have con-
ttibutedsomuchtoopenapathwaylotthethinkingolitstime,andout
time.We shallptoceedbyquestioning,alwayslollowingNancys ttacks) ,
this time, this othets sensotiality. . . implicated in myown and this
ctystallizationoltheimpossiblethatseemstosignthevetylastnotesin
Ihslisi//sand/hsInisi//s,Matchi
The deh uitiou olthe intaitas mentis, louuded ou aualogywith visiou. . . .
Thisaualysisolvisiouistobecompletelytecousideted,itptesupposeswhatis
iuquestiou. thethiugi tsell)-ltdoes uotsee thatthevisiou is tele-visiou,
ttausceudeuce,ctystallizatiouoltheimpossible.
Cousequeutly, theaualysisoltheintaitasmentisalsohastobedoueovet.
theteisuoiudiv|siblebythought,uosimpleuatute. . . alltheseatehgutes
olthought audthegtouudothotizou has uot beeutakeuiutoaccouut.
,ibid. , p. z;,)
1C an_cnt !N
7ngcnc, cnd Ccntingcnc 1. Ihc qucsticn
c tcchnics cnd thc ccrics c F/csh

(ccntcct

ct bcttcm)
eloreoutlininganewtangentialtraj ectory, itmaybeappropriatelorce-
llyto recallaprimaryconcern,ilnottheonlyone ecauseitseemsout
olreachtomeandmoreoverollittleinterest,lamnotpreparingtheargu-
ments olacritical debate, evenless apolemicaone,between allthecon-
temporarywaysolthinkingaboutthesenseoltouchthatl amsimply, in
gratitude, trying to identi ltis rather a question olbeginningtimidly
toorientmysellinsideandolmovement-orrather/snd_msaancs} .
Wenthegroundshis,ittendstoproducesolidarities,anities,hliations,
attractions,mirages,atleast,olmagnetichelds,togetherwithitsdivergences,
itslinesollracture,whichmaybevirtual,itshssuresoritsdislocations
Atrendandnotapathorlineolthinking-lorthislatterhgureaso
comeswithneo-Heideggerianorpretechnicacsnns/a/isns,now,atthevery
pointwheresomehowtakingintoaccounttechnics,the/schns/sdiss, or
scs/schnicsmaydelivertousacriterionlorcertaindiscrepanciesbetween
thedi

erentmotilsolthistrend.Anditisrthermoreatrendolthink-
ingandnotaheldorcontext, soas toavoidtheriskoladdingtothe
connotationsthatlhavej ustrecalledahypothesisl holdtobequestion-
ableitisthehypothesisolahistoricaspacewithastrictlydeterminable,
objectiviablecontour,aspacewithitsunity, thesell-contactolsomesell-
identity, aninsideandoutside,inaword,thewholeobjectivesetolacon-
hguration,aparadigmoransis/masetthatwouldnotbestructurally
open-aslbelieveitremainslorever-andthatlromthen on, crouching
onthelrontlines,couldoccasionalybecomeabattleheld,Kam//z) and
aheldolappropriationinthegoodorbadtraditionwithwhichl would
liketobreakhere.
z16

Ingsn/Il 2I ,
1hemovementol anopenttend,theteloteinamobileitsellcomposed
olmultiple,nodoubtcountless,motives,lamttyingtoisolatealewmo-
tils-just a lew-and to stabilize them ptovisionally what ate called
wotkinghypotheses, attivedathete usingtheattihceolan absttaction
lotwhichl mustconlessthatlhavenoimpeccablej ustihcation, andlot
whichlcannotanswetinanabsolutelytesponsiblelashion. Mytesponsi-
bility, ilthetelhaveany,metitsthelollowingleebleexplanation suchate
the matkets thatatehelpingtootientme, mysell,lotthe time being, in
anultimatelycontingentway.1hese,inshott,atehesignalswithwhich,
sweptalongbythisttend,inavetyspecihcplace,whichisnotameteob-
setvationpost, lamsomewhatlamiliat.
Cettainwtitings,asithappensWhichWell ,theyatetheoneslamgo-
ingtocite,nolessthantheoneslhavealteadycited,andthatlwasledto
tead,alwayspassionately, ptohtably, andwithadmitation ,thoseate my
htstctitetia) . Nevettheless, whatwouldldoill alsohadtottytoj usti
mychsicsolthesetextsinamoteconvincedandconvincingwayWhatil
l alsohadto legitimizemywayolotganizingmyteadingolthem, and
theitcoappeatanceotconhgutation,withintheinevitableandunlaitse-
lectionptocessthatthesettingupolapatticulatpetspectivedoesn't-evet
-lailtoimposeon thesetup olapatticulatintetptetation l might in-
vokethetuleassignedbyanimplicitconttact, whichistosay,thelawol
thisbook,On Iaching-san-LacNan.
1hetelote,inthis place alongthettajectoty, lshallttytootientmysell
towatdcettain books, inkeepingwithwhathas beenannounced. Once
again, whichatethey1heyatesomeolthose onthe ltench and con-
tempotatysideolthesaidttendthatconcetnthesenseoltouchtoday,
otatepattiallyottotallyoccupiedbythis /hsmsassach. l shallcullthis
themeinthemmysell-in keepingwith theattih cethatlhavej ustad-
mittedto,ilnotj ustihed-thetewhetethesewotksthemselveshaveitout
withthelegaciesthathavecomeintoquestionuntilnow,pteciselyabout
thisptivilegedmotiloltouching, atleastto thesomewhatuncettainex-
tent,nodoubt,andthisistheheattolthequestion) , thatonemayiden-
ti this motil, and dissociate and measute it, in the vetyplace whete
Nancytemindsusthattheteisnothe' senseoltouch.
lnaspaceitsellopenandinsatutable,theselegacieswouldsttetch
tocitethedepatted-ltomllato,Atistotle, llotinus, andthe Gospels to
KantandHussetl,andsoon, ltomDescattes,etkeley, DidetototMaine
deitantoavaisson,etgson,Levinas,MetleaulontyandDeleuze,and
zi ? Exsm/S/sisss/hs F/ssh"
soon. hislistolnamesislatltombeinghnalotenclosable,andweshall
havetheoppottunitytospecithis.atet,Aquinasot|ohnoltheCtoss,
lotexample,willappeatinit.
OnecanhatdlyisolateHussetlianphenomenologyinthettendolthese
legaciesothliations,tobesute.ythelewsignsthatwehavegathetedup
tothispoint,howevet,wecantecognizethatittetainsapatticulatlysttong
andoenhegemonicholdontheltenchzoneolthesaidttendtoday.1hat
isoneoltheteasonswhylhavelaidsuchsttess pteciselyonthe Metleau-
lontyianintetptetationotttanslotmation,whichhasj ustdetainedus, ol
thisphenomenologyoltouching. ylollowingtheselinesollotceonthe
ltenchslopeolthisttend,letustepeatthisinotdettotemoveanypossi-
blemisundetstanding) ,lamttyingtoundetstandhowNancyshassthings
sa/, anddoesthisatleasti/aa/q. lotas hasbeen said, he almost nevet
cites Metleaulonty, even whete thete is enough toom lot usto assume
thatheis lamiliatwithMetleau-lonty's thinking. ikewise, Nancydoes
not,lthink,citeeithetolthetwobooksthatweateabouttotackle,athtst
simplylollowingthethteadthatlinksthemtoHussetl'sIdsasII outmain
guidelinehete) . neithetDidietltanck'snot-withonebeatedexception,
tobespecihedsubsequently-|eanouisChttien's.
Asalways inoutNanceanuseolthesewotds, shatingout htstolall
meanspatticipation,indisputableptoximity,alhnities,ctossings,ctossovets
andctossbteedings-asottolcommunityotcontempotaneityolthinking,
language,anddiscoutse. l summatizethisundettheheadingtangency.
ut they also mean somethingelseasalways in the Nancean senseol
thesewotds-thatis,apattitioningthatimpattsthepatts,ans/hsdsa-
/as,othetdepattuteisaquotationltomNancythatl shallshottlyclat-
i) , anothetwayolptoceeding,anothetwtiting,aswellastheuneasytut-
bulence olanothet detetmination ,which is olten concealed andbately
deciphetableundetthesheltetoluttetancesseeminglystemmingltomthe
same/sin) , anothetexpetiencingoldecisionmaking, anothetgestuteol
thought,whichisalsoanothetexpetiencingolthebody, thatis, anothet
bodyand anothetcsas. etmeputthisbluntly, withj ustalewwotds
whosemeaningtemainslatgelyundecided. thisdilletence,thispattition-
ing,thisaltetityolbodieslollowstheline,alinethatisoenbatelyvisible
andstillquiteenigmatic)pattlyolthe/schnica/andpattlyola/sndChis
/iani. he sell-seeking body, seeking to touch itsellwithout touching
itsell, likeanyothet, thtoughoutNancy's cotpus, isa/qabodythatis
otiginatilyandessentiallyltiendlyandopentothe/schn,ttansplantation,
Iangsn/Il 2I
ptostheticdevices,substitutions,metonymies,tele-sensibleexptoptiations,
andsoon)thathegivesustopondetandweigh,sinceweatenotyetsute
whatto think undetthe headingofthiswotd) . withoutthis /schnthis
bodyisnotevenbotntoitselfashumanbody,caughtupinahominiza-
tionptocessexceedingthehumanasitspastandfutute.Anda/q,onthe
othethand, thisbodyisinvolvedinadeconsttuctionofhtistianity, of
the htistian body, adscsns/ac/isn sChis/ian ssh, "adeconsttuction
that-evenifitseemsimpossibleandunending-a|teadyleavesitssigna-
tutetightonthesingulatityofthecotpusinquestion-givingusthesaid
htistianbodytopondetandweigh,sinceweatenotyetsutewhatto
thinkundettheheadingofthiswotd) . Hete,then,ismyhypothesisonce
again,andlptohetitshylyandalittleuneasily.theteissomeshatingout
aspatting,inthesenseofpattitionotsepatation, otnewdepattute,inthis
takingintoaccountof/schnthetewhete,inthesamegestute) itteaches
beyondthehtistianbody.Assuch,wecannotteadthisgestute ,agestute
all at once doubleandone) in the othet texts abouttouchingthathave
comeinto question uptothispoint,nomotethanintheonesthatlshall
nowstill hailas fotceful, necessaty, tich, andnew. acoupleofbooks by
Didietltanckandean-Louishttientespectively.
he idiomaticsingulatityofthegestuteis nevet pute ot putelyteap-
ptoptiable,anditcannotbesepatatedftomascene, at times, amise-en-
scne,asttategy, otadiscutsive/ac/ics. We knowthattactics doesnot
pointtowatdanythingtactilebuttowatdotdet,attangement, amoteot
lesscalculateddisposition.Motethanastyle,otamanns,thingshaving
todowithhngetsothands) ,itisheteamovingofthebody, asyntaxthat
teckonswithoutteckoning,withitswholebody, inthehesh snchais/
snss , totacklethings, beinthewotld,andbeintouchwith itwithout
touchingottampetingwithit.
efotetecommencing,inotdettoconveythekeynoteofNancy'sshat-
ingout ,in the double sense ofthe tetm) , let usteadtwo longpassages
ftomCsastostandinfotthebookasawhole.
I. l amcullingthehtstoneftomtwochaptets, titledGlotiousody
andlncatnation-inabookthatcontinuouslyhasitoutwiththehistoty
ofthehtistianbody, andthuswithwhatwetetmesh. Whileheteand
thete l havequestionedthe ttanslation ofLsi/as hesh _chai} ,andwe
shall come back to this) and wondeted about the exttaotdinatyway in
whichthiswotdandconcept, hesh _achait , hassttetchedactoss the
22O Exsm/aS/sisss/hs /ssh''
lrenchphilosophical landscape, whileonseveraloccasions, l havetaken
noteolChristian accentuations andhgures inMerleau-lonty's thinking
abouttheeshchair,/hsesholmyownbodypropermyincarna-
tion,or/hsHesholtheworldinIhslsi//sand/hsInisi//s) ,andatthe
timeolhsnsmsns/sgysscs/isnalready, in allusions toanoperation
olrace, theEucharist,andsensation that isl iterallyalormolcom-
munion ,arhetoricthatnopedagogicalintentioncanquiteneutralize) ,l
havenotdonethisinordertodenounce,orcriticize,orevensuspectany
latentoroen-his/iani/.|ustas itis neitherenoughtopresentonesell
asaChristiannortobelieve orbelieveoneselltobeaChristianinor-
dertoholdlorthinalanguagethatisauthenticallyChristian,likewiseit
isnotenoughns/to believe orbelieveonesellanddeclareonesellnsn
Christianin orderto utteradiscourse,speakalanguage,andeveninhabit
one'sbodywhileremainingsalelyshelteredlromall Christianity 1hisis
notaboutbeinglreeolharm,sale,andsaved,seekingone'ssalvationorim
munityoutsideolChristianity.1hesevalueswouldstillbeChristianones.
1hatiswhy, lhavesuggestedonseveraloccasions,eveniltherewereany
sensetoornecessitylorit,thedeconstructionolChristianitythatNancy
hasannouncedseems suchadicult,paradoxical,almostimpossibletask,
alwaysindangerolbeingexposedasmereChristianhyperbole.1hisisnot
tosaythatoneshouldgiveupbelorehandandnotshowanyinterestinthe
singularlimitationsolsuchhyperboleinordertothinkit. eorgesataille
protestedagainstthosewhosawashamelul Christianinhimbyshielding
himsellbehindthehyperboleolanultimatemask,was itamask:) what
hesometimesrelerredtoashishyper-Christianity.
Here,then,istheannouncedpassagetogivetherightnote,asalways,it
isviolentlyexcerpted,despitethelengtholthequotation.oneshouldre-
readeverythingbelore and alterit. Here in anycase, Nancy himsellsets
lorththisdoubleshaingsa/,whichisnecessaryandimpossible. utwhat
lwouldemphasizehere, aboveall, soastomeasurethesplitwithregardto
modernlrenchdiscourseson /hsHesh and incarnatetouching, the dis-
coursesthatweareintheprocessorstillonthevergeolstudying,ishistak-
ing intoaccountol/as/ici/and /schnici/. Openingontothe historyol
animalitiesandhominization,thelatterreach, atastroke,beyondthe an-
thropological,anthropotheological, orevenontotheological limitswithin
whichphenomenologystands, inspiteolsomanyreductionsanddenials
,andwe havej ustseenanexampleolthiswith Merleau-lonty)notto
mentionotherphilosophiesthatdo notevenpretendtocarryoutthisre-
Ingsn/Il 22I
ductionolananthtopologyotawotdliness in genetal.What seems to
ptesctibethisnecessatytakinginto accountolplasticityandtechnicityat
the heatt olthe body ptopet is an itteducible sacing, that is, what
spacesouttouchingitsell, namelycon-tact. ln thusopeningupagapand
making toom lot the hiatus olnoncontact at the heatt olcontact, this
spacingmakeslotthettialolnoncontactasthesconditionotexpeti-
encei/ssolcontact,thessamsexpetienceitsellolthesamsopenlotevet
-andspacedoutbytheothet.Suchanexpetienceisalwaysallectedbythe
singulatityolthatwhich-byteasonolthisspacing-/a/ss/acs,which is
to say, bythe event ola coming. I/ing/acsand /a/ing/hs/acs sl
would add, inotdettoinsctibethepossibilityolmetonymyandsubstitu-
tion,thatis,oltechnicalptosthetics,tightontothevetysingulatityitsellol
theevent.
I/ing/csand/a/ing/hs/css /a/ing/acsahi/s/a/ing/hs/css
/a/ing/csinlieuol/a/ing/hs/acss-/ i/ass/a/ing/hs/cssand
inisas/a/ing/hs/acss hs/din/acs)/s/a/ing/hs/acss /a/ing/hs
/acss/a/ing/acs.
'
, lll wondethowanyttanslatotcould take this on
and ttanslate the idiomaticphtases l amsuggestingand emphasizingin
thisway,itisalsobecausetheysaysomethingabouttheopetationolevety
ttanslation, in its m-possible essence, thete whete it is a mansa mans
sttugglebetweenidioms,whichwillnevetbespateditsmetonymies,sub-
stitutions,andtechnicalptostheses1tanslation,wheteitisaconsidetable
eventinthinking,'ishs/d/s/hs/acss) /a/ing/hs/acss. . . )
/ latas this taking-placeisconcetned, Nancyalways paits touching
oneanothetanddistancingonesell,couplingandplacingthemsideby
sideand puttingthem in contact otcontiguity. And this, l think, also
opensontootganicatticulation,/schn,substitution,ptosthetics,the/acs
s/a/ing/hs/cs, aha/ishs/d/s/a/ing/hs/csssomething-ltombe-
loteman,belote humans, wellbeloteandthuswellbeyondthehumanu-
alism olthe-hand-ol-man. l havequoted othetexamplesolthis. Hete,
Nancysays,ashedoeslaitlytegulatly touchingoneanothet,distancing
themselves, ottheyatetouchingandpushingoneanothetaway. Het-
thetsays, Godhadmadehimsellinto abody, hehadsttetched out . . .
-yetanothetvetsionolextendedlsyche. . . .
O/orioasBod,
lu ttuth, Gods bodywasthe bodyomauhimsel. maus eshwas thebody
thatGodhadgiveu himsel ,Mauis-absolutelybody, otheisuot. heis
<
222 Exsm/aS/sisss/hs /ssh''
thebodyolGod,otthewotldolbodies, butuothiugelse.Thatiswhy,des-
tiued tosigui[,ovetsigui[, audiusigui[hisbody, mau, themau olhu-
mauism, hasslowlydissolved thisbodyaudhimsellallat ouce. ) Godhad
made himselliutoabody,hehadsttetchedout. . . . Thisambivaleuceolthe
ttutholthebody, asg/orioas/od,,wotksitswaythtoughalloloutotheology .
. . .Audilthe/od,is,patexcelleuce,whatiscreated ilcteatedbodyisatau-
tology-ottathetcteatedbodies,lot,the) 8odyisalwaysiutheplutal-theu
the/od,isthe/asticmatteroasacingoatwithoutlotmotldea.Thebodyis
thevetyplasticityolexpausiou,olexteusiou,iuaccotdaucewithwhichexis-
teuces take/ace. . . e 8ut thebodyis acomingintoresence, iuthewayaud
mauuetolimagesthatcometo atelevisiouscteeu,otmoviescteeu,comiug
uoto audom thedepthsolthescteeu, buttathet/eingthisscteeu, this
scteeuspacedout,audexistiugas thescteeus exteusiou. . . butonameme
myeyesthemselves ,mybody) ,as theitateality. theeyesthemselves come to
thiscomiug,theyatespacedout,spaciugout,themselvesascteeu,audateless
avisiouthauacideo. ,Notvideo lsee,butcideo asageueticappella-
tioulotthetechnsolcomiugiutopteseuce. Icchns techuics, att, modal-
izatiou, cteatiou. ). . . . ltscomiug, thus, willuevetbe huished, itgoesasit
comes,itiscomiug-aud-goiug,itisthethythmolbodiesbotu,bodiesdyiug,
bodiesthatateopeu,closed,bodiesiupleasute,bodiesiupaiu,bodiestouch-
iugoueauothet,distauciugthemselves.Glotyisthethythm,ottheplasticex-
ptessiou,olthispteseuce-whichislocal, bouudtobelocal.
Incarnation
8utallalougthis ttaditiou thete istheothetvetsiouolacomiugiutoptes-
euceauditstechns.Theothet, thesame-theyateiudiscetuibleyetd|stiuct,
paitedas iulovemakiug. The bodywillalways have beeuouthelimitol
thesetwovetsions,thetewhete,atthesametime,theyatetouchiugaudpush-
iugoueauothetaway. Thebody-its ttuth-will always havebeeu the iu-
betweeuoltwosensesaudaa,s-anamougthose,theiu-betweeuolleltaud
tight,upauddowu,ltoutaudback,phallicaudcephalic,maleaudlemale,iu-
sideaudoutside,seusibleseuseaudiutelligibleseuse, do uothiugbutiutetact
exptessibly.
lucatuatiouisthe uameoltheothetvetsiouolthecoming. Wheulsaycer-
/am caroctamest(/ogossarxegeneto, l am sayiug iu aseusethat it is caro
thatmakeslotthe glotyaud the geuuiuecomiugolcer/am. 8utall atouce
say-iuauothetmeauiugaltogethetthatcer/am,/ogos) makeslotthegeu-
uiuepteseuce aud seuse olcaro ,sarx) . Audthough, in asenseandina aa,
,oncemote) ,thesetwovetsiousatepattaudpatceloloueauothet,audthough
iucatuatiouuamesthembothtogethet,yet,inanothersenseandanotheraa,,
theyexcludeoueauothet. , Naucy, Coas,pp. ,|-,?)
Ingsn/Il 22)
2. We candissociatenoneolthesemotils. theptojectoladeconsttuc
tionolChtistianity, longannouncedotptepated the attentionpaidto
the /schnolbodies and ecotechnics that deconsttuct the system ol
ends, thetewheteweateinthe/schnoltensx/one, thelellowman
,Nancy, Csas, p. /,) ,acettain decentetingolthehandandthehngets,
theconnectionbetweentheintettuptingspacingoutolcon-tactandthe
question olthetechnical, andsolotth.When takethemtogethet,they
seemtodtawtheshated-outdiiding/ins/a/ignsdsa/ags , about the
ptoblem oltouch, betweenNancy's csas,towhich, lotalltooobvious
teasons,lhavebeenleelingsocloselotsolong)andothetptoblematicsol
touch,alltematkable,neighboting,yetdissimilat,ones,includingtheones
alteadyevoked ,especiallyMetleau-lonty's) ,ottheonesthatlshallttyto
identiwithDidietltanckand|ean-LouisChttien.Thesethinketshave
spawnedotiginalwotks, whilesoonetotlatettelettingtoHussetlsIdsasII
-andletmetepeatthatitisonthisscote,htstolall, thatl amptivileg-
ingtheteadingolthesewotks.Theyalso, albeitdietently, accotdingto
theitsepatatettaj ectoties,butwithequalintensity, takesome accountol
theitteducibilityolthes/hsandolthean/sacha//sintheexpetienceol
touching,andtheysometimespayacettain attention to aspacing out ot
intettuptionasthepatadoxicalandintetvallicmedium olcon-tact.
utolthem,wholtomthebeginningwouldhaveassociatedwiththat
theplasticandsubstitutivesttuctuteolptostheticsotthe/schnica/supple-
mentWhotakes itintoaccount,as ithasalwaysseemedto methatone
shoulddo,and Nancyhasnevetlailedtodo,withanincteasinglylegible
insistence, apowetlconceptualconsistencythathasalwaystemainedin
dissociableltomhislotcelulwtiting,otexsctiption) Apattltomhim, in
dealingwithtouchatleast,whohastecognizedthelocusolthis/schnica/
supplementatityolthe bodyand acknowledged itsessentialandnecessaty
otiginatity, asitseemstomethatoneshouldalwaysdo ,andthatolcoutse
iswhatisotientingmehete) ltgoeswithoutsayingthatessential otigi
natityisconvenientlyttanslatingthislaw intoaclassicallanguagethat
pteciselymeetsits limit hete. lotthissupplementatityoltechnical ptos
thetics otiginatilyspacesout,delets, otexptoptiatesallotiginatyptopet
ness.theteisnothesenseoltouch,theteisnootiginatyotessentially
otiginatytouchingbeloteit,beloteitsnecessatypossibility-lotanyliving
beingingenetal,andwellbelotethehandolmanandallitsimaginable
substitutes.Atechnique,amechanicaltechnique,always-buthowmuch
mote manilestly so, hencelotth, in ptesent and lutute machines) iswhat
22q Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
candisctiminateopetceivebynctioningwiththesimulactumolsome-
thingsensible,withlight,digitalcontactandodotouscompounds,lot
example) butisnotleeling,doesnotgiveintothedisttibutionothietat-
chization olthevesenses, andaboveall does notleel itsellleel-and
thus temains anestheticin thevetyplacewhetea machinesupplies, and
standsinlot, sense.Andthetewhetethesell-telationolasell-touchingis
missing, lotexample, beitinwhatwetetmoutbodyptopet, theplace
opensuplotsomemachine, someptosthesis,some metonymicsubstitute,
andsomesenseteplacingsomeothetsense.1hatiswhetethedividinglines
ategoingtotun,lbelieve.
1o limitthetisksolanapptoptiatingintetptetationandlitetallybettet
todisplaythewayinwhichNancydoeswhathesayshewill,andai/ss,
andincssa/sswhat he thinks intosxsci/ing, hete is asecondpassage
ltomCsasheteWe could hndothetsaswellinthesamebookwhose
scope is vittuallyanalogous. utthis oneexhibits mote manilestlyand
denselythanevetthisindissociabilityoltouch ,olthe senseoltouch
thatisn't) andtechnicalsupplementatity. Nancyisnodoubtalsodoing
thisinadelibetatelyphilosophicallashion,whichisalsodemonsttative,
petlotmative, andactual, butinanactthatisneithetactive notpetlot-
mativethtoughoutnotj ustaspeechactotsimplyadiscutsiveact.,Letme
sayinpassingthatwhatl ttytothinkheteisthatwhich-bywayolthe
event,bywayolwhathappenssingulatly,theevent,theattivingolthenew-
comet-toutsandexceeds anypetlotmativepowet.) ln thistext,Nancy
alsosaysthatheetstheothet come, andletstheothetbodycoappeat,
and this doesnotnecessatilymean tosaycomeintoptesence, itseems
tome,butcome,yes-atleastilthehost_//s} doesnotshutthedoot
upontheguestattiving /uiancsds //s} .1histext,thebeginningol
thechaptettitledCotpus.OthetDepattute,itseemstome,isptecisely
thetouchstoneost sutelyallowingusto tecognizeallthepattsshated
outthatwe ate attempting otwill attempt to think. Hete again, what
seems most distinctive anddetetminingiswhatlinks adisseminationol
hapticswiththebody's technicalchatactet. Notethatthispassageishss,
in thisvety place, undetthe commandolaconditionalcommitment,i/
adai/wouldbeneeded ) , analmostwithoutwaiting,whichdisplaces
otspacesoutthevetyhete-and-nowand,sttangespeechact,indeed)pte-
sents itsellas anuntenableptomise,cettainly, yetonethatexistsandin-
sists hssinthe untenable olwhat deals ,and is dealtwith) heteot
wtites,otexsctibes.Andletusbeattentivetothetouchingolsuchhands
Ingsn/Il 22]
, i npatentheses) olwhichi t i s saidthatsomethingdivettsanddeletsi t
inhnitely-machines.
CorasHnotherDeartare
Acorasisuotadiscoutse,auditisuotauattative.Acorasiswhatisueeded
_qa'i/ adrait hete, theu.cc-theteis somethiuglikeaptomisethatthis
hasto dea/withthebody, thatitisgoingtodealwithit-thete,almostwith-
outwaitiug d/ai} . ltisakiudolptomisethatwillbeneithettheobectol
atteatiseuotthetopicolcitatiousaudtecitatious,uotthechatactetotsetola
stoty.To putitiusomauywotds, theteisasottolptomisetacitlytohashse
taire} aptomiselesstohushupouthesubjectolthebodythauhashothe
/od,_setairedacos} ,matetiallytodtaw awaythebodyltomthe ptiutiugol
meauiuglul imptessious, thatis,to do thishere, rightontheseameariting
andreadingage. 8odiesateiu touchou this page,whethetwewautitotuot,
otelse,thepageitsellisthetouchiugaudtoyiug attoachement} ,bymywtit-
iughaudaudyouthaudsholdiugthebook) . Somethiugdivettsauddeletsthis
touchiug iuuitely-machiues, couveyauces, photocopies, eyes, aud othet
haudshaveiutetleted-butwhat temaius is the iuuitesimalysmall, stub-
botu, audteuuousgtaiu,themiuutedustolcoutact, acoutactthatisiutet-
tuptedaudputsuediuallpatts.lutheeud,youtgazetouchesupouthesame
chatactetttaciugsthatmiueatetouchiuguow,audyouateteadugme,audl
amwtitiugyou. ln someplace,iusomearts, thatiswhattakesplace.Suddeu
ttausmittal, as lacsimile-copyiug machiues exempli it, is uot a leatute ol
thesepatts. Rathetthaulax-similitudehete, this isaboutdivetsiou auddis-
similatity, ttausposiugaudteeucodiug,whichistosaythatsomepattsdis-
ttibutethemselvesovetvetylougtechuicalcitcuits,somepattsisthetechui-
cal-outdisctete,powetl,auddissemiuatedcontact.diuasileuthash,a
suspeudiugolthecitcuits,the toucholtheptomisewe'llbesileutabout the
body, leavetheeldto it,audoulywtite, oulyteadtoabaudoutobodies the
placesoltheitcoutacts.
8ecauseolthisuuteuableptomise,whichuoouecaukeepothasevetmade
-despiteitsiusisteuce,thete,iusomepatts-acoasisueeded,thatis,acat-
alogueiusteadolalogos. ,Naucy, Coras,pp. |6-|;)
lloneteadson,asonenssdstodo) , onewillpethapssee,intheplaceol
acettainhetelies ,althoughNancydoesnotwantanyindividualhete) ,
apetsona makinga comebackaltet twelveyeats, namely, lsyche, aus
gedehnt,weissnichtsdavon, themaskotghostoltheteclining,extended
one,whoknowsnothingaboutthis. ``Acsasisneeded,whichistosaya
wtitingolthedeadthathasnothingtodowiththediscoutseolDeath-
zz6 caicsc cs
andevetythingtodowiththisthespaceolbodiesisnotacquaintedwith
Death ,lantasizingspaceabolished) butknowseachbodyas adeadone,
asisdeadonewhoshatesoutlotustheextensionolhisothethetelies
i . ltisnotthediscoutseolbeing- a-Death,butthewtitingol
thedeadoneshotizontalityasthebittholtheextensionolalloutbodies,
alloutca livingbodies ,ibid. , p. |,) .
Tokeep givingthekey andinsctibewhatlollowstotesonatewithit
ottathetsetveascountetpoint,letustecallhnallythatNancyisalsovety
sensitiveto thesttange-aci-telationthatHussetl's phenomenol-
ogy,likeevetythingthatttailsit,haswithitsownlimit.ltisalimitthatit
touchesandttansgtesses, too,bythesametoken.Theapotiahetecon-
sists intouching,attaining, teaching, andmeetingalimitthatbatsany
passage,tobesute butalso,bythesametoken, ingettingembtoiledin
theconttadictionthatconsistsinpassingthelimitthatoneshouldnot
ctossatthemomentonetouchesit. lnapassageevoked eatliet, Nancy
telets to Hussetls acsiaciaisandspecihes. lt isundoubted|y
hete, motethananywheteelse, thatHussetlshowshowphenomenology
itselltouchesitsownlimitandexceedsit.itisnolongettheegoicalcote,
butthewotldasaconstitutedsense thatshowsitselltobeconstitutive
acsiaciais, p. ;/ The constitution is itsellconstituted.
l telettothisasanapotiabecause,htstolall,concetningtouch,evety-
thingstattedinthis bookwith whatAtistotlesciss alteadycalls
apotias. utitisalsobecausethelotceolthetematkablebookbyDidiet
ltanck,aicshiccssc,wheteweateabout
tolollowcettainpathways)patticulatlystemsltomitsowntitelessdebate
withcettainapotiasolphenomenology. ltisgteatlytohiscteditthatin
naming them and analyzing them as such, he nevet seeks aptetextin
themthatwouldleadhimtoaconclusivevetdictolpatalysis,ottoctiti-
cize, disctedit, disquali, andeven less to abandon otsimplyintettupt
phenomenologicalwotk-evenwhenthiswotkwotks againsttheptinci-
plesitputslotwatdasitsown.
Theh tstoltheseapotiasseemstoptohibitanyaccesstowhatdehned
thevetypetspectiveolthebook,anditsptoblematicandptogtam,thatis,
ananalyticsolincatnation, whichissimultaneouslyinvitedandpto-
hibitedbytheneed, indicatedaboveallinthe acsiaciais, to
takeintoaccountasplittingoltheegoandtheptegiving-ai
olthealtetego.
AlthoughltanckmentionsMetleau-lontyonlyinltequently,wecan
Iangsn/Il 22
imaginethevittualptesenceolthelattet'swayoltteating esh-andpte-
ciselyinhistelationshipwithHussetl. utwecanalso imagine achatged
silencediscteetlyhlledwithimplicit,vittual tesetvationsaboutMetleau-
lonty'steadingolHusset,somehowsutveyinghimltomabove,ptecisely
onthesubjectolEinh/angandthealtetego.1hehtstapotiawouldthus
havetodowiththeclosingolanegology,theteductiontothesidssegoi n
whichintuition-likethevatiationthatleadsthete-cannotlailtopte-
supposethegivingolothetegos.1healtetnativewouldthenbebetween,
ontheonehand,abteakingawayltomsolipsism withoutphenomeno-
logicalj ustihcation,and,ontheothet,theskepticalabsutdityolattan-
scendental empiticism. Notingthatthis apoti has notescapedHus-
setl'svigilance,ltanckimmediatelyannouncesthatthesolutionmight
comebywayolananalysisoltheimmanenttempotalityoltheego,which
wouldbtingouteithetadoublingoltheHux,andthustheinvolvementol
thealtetegointhesidssego, otthetakinginto account olan atchelac-
ticity _|//izi//} oltheego-twothingsthatHussetlseemsmoteovet
to tecognize ina textltomJ)J that ltanck cites ,Chais/css, p. 6/)
1eleology.lmplicationolthesidssttanscendentalintetsubjectivityi nthe
sidssttanscendentalego.lactandsidss.
lnstead olgoing alongwith a//the consequences that ltanckdtaws
ltomthis, step bystep ,itwouldbenecessatytodothis butisimpossible
hete) , l limitmysell, asalways, towhattouchesontouching,andmote
pteciselycontactas contactltomoneselltoonesel Now, altethehas
takenintoaccountthelamouspassagesabouttouchinginIdsasII, altet
hehas answetedpethapsto the questionseekingto h ndout whethet
touching,ascontactltomoneselltoonesellhtstolall, constitutes, inas-
muchasitis eshly, thesuppottollocalizedsensations, ltancktakeson
thetheme ,whichheviewsasessential) olasottolptiotityol eshovet
immanenttime. He then comes to name contact ,whichistosaycon-
tact,atbottom, henotesinpatentheses) asthevetythingitsell,Hesh,
inttuth, touching,ascontactltomoneselltoonesellhtstolall)thati s
ptesupposedbyimmanenttempotalityitsellandisthetelotewhatwould
scsdstimeitsell,byteasonolthisptesupposition.Without esh,thatis,
withoutcontact) , thete is noputetempotalization. lat ltombeinghtst
andbeingonly,asabsoluteptoximity) thesell-ptesenceolaspatialhss,
contactiswhat makes possiblethe tempotalizationoltime.Contactgives
time-alotmulathatcomesbackmotethanonceinthesepages. utitis
ltomanabsolutemovement, not tempotalandyettheotiginoltime,
zz? Exsm/aS/sisss/hs ''F/ssh"
thatthiscontactmaestempotalizationpossible.Contact,attheotiginol
time,isns/s/tempotal.
Whatisimpottantlotltanc,asitwete,isthatesh,hete,contactit-
sel ,whichistosaycontact,atbottom) , contactltomoneselltoone-
sell) ptecedestimeinaway, andthusitis ltomanuntempotal locus
thatcontactgivestime.elotewetecognizetheptogtammaticconsequence
thatltancdtawsltomthis ,beyond Hussetl andHeidegget, ilonemay
sayso, andhedoessayit) ,letuslocusonthedecisivemomentinthese-
quenceolhisatgumentwhetecontactistenamedanddehned,insum,
asuntempotal, towhichl telettheteadet.Heshmustalways begiven
intheHuxoltime,othetwisethenow-momentolthetonecouldnevetbe
incatnate, ' astheLectuteson1ime' putit. lnaddition,Heshmustpte-
cede' tempotalityiltempotalityisconstitutedin ahyletic Hux , ltanc,
Chais/css, p. .
ln puttingthewotd ptecede inquotes, ltanc thus designates this
untempotalantetiotity,whichisolcoutseinconceivableandunsayable.
howisonetopecedetime:Whatisthistempotalnotyet: ) . Hedoes
holdtothis untempotalantetiotity, andthisexplainsthemeaningolhis
inaddition, thatis,olthisptoblematicovetbidmaingitpetmissibleto
go ltomaHesh always givenintheHuxoltimetoaHeshsupposed
toptecede time. n addition, eshmustptecede'tempotalityiltem-
potalityisconstitutedinahyleticux. Whyshouldthatwhichisalways
given in timeptecedetime:
1hisquestionisolintetesttoushete-initsellaswellasbeyondthein-
tetptetativediscussioninwhichlshllbtieHyindulge.ltisolintetesttous
wheteittouches onanexpetienceoltactilityandtouchingoltheothet
-inthecatess,lotexample. ,utitwillhavebecomenoticeablethatlal-
ways wotty a little about cettain connotations olthe wotd, l mean the
wotd catess andnotallthethingsthatitputpottstoname,asmuch
aswottyaboutthosetoo, thesame,lotthesameteasons,atbottom, ol
thewotdHeshandthecatnal,whichistosaythechetishinganddeat
_caas} chatity_cai/as inthecatessolthelotmet,andtheincatnationca,
canis olthelattet.)What isthe timeoltouching:Doestouching-does
thetactilityolcon-tact,inthesyncopatedintettuptionthatallowsitsad-
vent-givetimeottettactit:Doesitgiveit,allthewhiletettactingit,te-
ttacing it: Does ittettactit in giving it:Whatabout this tettaction ot
withdtawalolagilt:Whattelationisthetewithsyncopesandtheshating

Iangsn/I 22
outandpatting oltime`Wbat telation witb spacingandmetonymies,
plasticity,ptostbetics,andtecbnics,wbicbateimpottantlotusbeteintbe
ecotecbnicsand/schnolbodies:Andsolottb.
lwouldinvoketbedoublemotiwbicbisclassicalinHussetl,olssch
andtbenonteal_nsns//s inclusionolnoemataintbepbenomenological
lile,E/s/nis)olconsciousnessbete,illbadtobtinglottbatgumentsltom
apointol viewtbatwouldbeneitbetNancysnotltanck's,andyetwould
notopposetbem) aboutwbathsnsmsns/sgica/sssndscontactincon-
tactanddividesittigbtwitbintactileexpetienceingenetal,tbusinsctibing
ananestheticintettuptionintotbebeattolaestbesicpbenomenality. On
/hssnshandltomtbetbtesboldolitspossibiityonwatd,epocbalteduc-
tion suspends tbe tealityolcontact inotdetto delivet its intentional ot
pbenomenalsense.tbisintettuptionotsuspensiveconvetsiongivesmetbe
ssnssolcontact, assucb.ltbetelotecannotlullybave/s/hcontactandtbe
senseolcontactlotsn/hss/hshand-anotbetintettuption,anotbetcon-
vetsion, anotbet unpettaining _dsaa/snancs -tb noematic content
,cottespondingtotbeincludedness,wbicbistbenteal,olabylomotpbic
noesisotcottelation)canonlyappeatandcanonlybepbenomenalized,by
sa/pettainingnsi/hstotbetoucbed tbing,wbatevetitis, ttanscendent
otimmanenttbing,myskinottbeotbets) nstotbestullolmyE/s/nis.
Sucbistbelawolhainss/hai.Tbisdoublepossibility,sschand sa/non-
pettainingoltbeintentionalsensecontent)wouldopenuptbespacingol
adistance,adis adbetingdsadh

ancs ,adancsintbevetyinsideol
baptics-andais/hsisingenetal.Witbouttbisdq ncs, tbetewouldbe
nocontactasschcontactwouldnotappeat,butwitbtbisdq ancs,con-
tactnevetappeats initslullputity, nevetinanyimmediateplenitude, ei-
tbet. lnbotbcases,tbepbenomenality, ottbepbenomenology, olcontact
isintettuptedotdivetted, itissuspendedinisascsn/ac/. Sucbbaptical
,otaestbesicingenetal)dq ancs,wbicbisintettuption,intetposition,de-
toutoltbebetweenin/hsmidd/solcontact,couldanalogicallyopenonto
wbatNancycallsasyncopeotwbatCbttientetmsin/sa tbeintet-
vallic cbatactetoltoucbitsell, inabooktowbicbwe sball soontelet. '
utwbatevetconctete,tecbnical, ot ptostbeticlotmi t weatstodetet-
mine itsellbetween askinandsometbing, otbetweentwoskns ,insttu-
ments,veils,clotbing,gloves,condoms,andsoon) ,tbisdq ancsoltbe/s
/assn,tbiselementatydq ncsolintetpositionotintetvalsbetweentwo
sutlaces is at tbe same time tbe condition olcontact and tbe otiginatily
spaced openingtbatcallslottecbnicalptostbeticsandmakesitpossible,
2)O Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
withoutanydelay.Whatcallslottechnics, then, isphenomenologicalne-
cessity itsel ltisnotevenamoment,itisananss/hs/icinstance,aunpet-
tainingthatmaintainsitsholdonaesthesicappettainingotpatticipation,
andpettainsto it-thatistosayinsensibilityin,andas,sensibility,anes-
theticsasthevetyecstasyattheheattolpleasute lhenomenologiesmust
bowbelotethettutholthisecstasy-notgiveupinltontolpleasute,but
plyitandptay.lacedwithpleasuteasdq ancs.lly,plait,ptay, andinvent
substitutes,ptostheses,letishes,cultute,technics-thatis,allolhistoty,
asitwete,beloteandbeyondthehandolman.
Letusnowcomebacktothepassageinwhichltanckputs thewotd
ptecede in quotation matks , esh must ptecede' tempotality) . 1he
questioncomesdowntotheonetaisedbytheconvetsionolomnitempo-
talityintountempotalityinthenextpatagtaph.1henetveoltheatgu-
mentseemsatthesametimepowetluandttoubling,inaccotdancewith
anecessitythatislogicalyetatbittaty. lotwhatgivestime, whatmakes
timepossibe,otevenwhatiscoextensivewithtime, thatis, omnitempo-
tal,wouldns/be/smsa/,atleastnotin/ims.1hisatgumentintetestsus
heteto thevetyextentthatwhatisthusdesignated,whatissupposedly
ptecedingtime-withalltheconsequencesthatltanckwantstodtaw
ltomthis-isahyleticsensualityolHeshascsn/ac/,contactassell-contact.
Howevet sttauge this ptiotity olesh ovet immaueut t|me may appeat,
sttaugetstillisthat this has uot escapedHussetl.The lattethad alteadyim-
pliedthisptiotityiuthetextwhetehectiticizedhisowuaualysisoliutetual
time-cousciousuessaudaskedhimsellwhethetheshoulduotptesumeauui-
vetsaliuteutioualityolimpulsesthatwouldcoustituteallotigiuatypteseut
audeusutetheuuityoltheux,'audheexptesslyackuowledgesaudtecog-
uizesthisptiotityiuai,,omauusctipt.
lutheuxolptimotdialpteseuce,wehaveabodilypetceptiou,alwaysal-
teady,immerschon)audimmutably,ana/nder/ich) , audthusiuthetem-
potalizatiou olimmaueut time, my bodily petceptiou coutiuually goes
thtoughthiswholetime,omuitempotallycoustitutiugthisbodysyutheti-
cally,ideutically.
,ltauck, Chairetcors, p. i,o)
ltwillhavebeen notedthatHussetlheteinnowayspeaks olanypti-
otity olHeshovet time, thoughltanckgives him cteditlot not having
distegatded this ptiotity. Hussetl speaks olomnitempotality, andcon-
Iangsn/Il 2) I
tinuallygoingthtough-andthisi s somethingdilletent.Notdoeshesay
thatthiscontinual movement-evenilitisindissociableltomtempotal-
iation-istheotiginoltime.1o besute,thettanslationolsmni/sms-
a/i/byan/smsa/i/,andtempotaliationmovementotabsolutemove-
ment by otigin oltime is not putely atbittaty. Even ilit may seem
tathetviolenthete, itcouldh nditsj ustih cationinsomelongdetoutsin-
sideandoutsideHussetl'stext.Howevet,beyondatigotousteadingolthis
Hussetlianmanusctipt,whatcomestolightheteistheaimolthisintetest-
inglotcedintetptetationinltanckssttategypteciselywheteitisaquestion
olcsn/ac/, contactltomoneselltoonesell -lotthisisoutsolethematic
locus hete-and acettain connectionbetweencsn/ac/andcsn-/ingsnc.
Letus tead what lollowsbelotebeingmotespecihcaboutthisaim.1he
passageptesentsitsellasacommentatyottathettheconsequencedtawn
ltomthemanusctiptthatwasj ustcited.
llthepetceptiouoltheesholmybodyptopet,whichcauheteoulymeau
thepetceptiouolmyeshbyitsell,whichistosaycoutact,atbottom) ,cou-
tiuuallyaudiutegtallyttavetsestime,itisbecauseitisthevetymovemeutol
tempotalizatiou,auabsolutemovemeut,whichmoteovetisuottempotalbe-
causetimeh udsitsotigiuiuitlleshcoustitutestime,butsiuceevetyesh
beats upou auothet esh, ouecausaythatcatualdilleteuceaudcatualtela-
tioushipsatetempotaliziugtime. ,ibid. , pp. i,o,i)
Abuttingontime,onthetempotaliationoltime,attheotiginolthe
synthesisoltimeastelationandlinkingltomoneselltoonesell,ltomone
nowtoanothet, theteiscontact,Hesh,contactltomoneselltoonesell,
, . . . contact,atbottom)-thetimetogiveandbegiventime,thetime
totouchandbetouched,aswell.1heaimolthisaudaciousintetptetation
isatleastdouble.Letusquickly-tooquickly-mentionthetwogestutes
positingtheneed, htst, toovettuntheboundsolacettainintentionalan-
alyticstowatdanexistentialanalytics,ltomacettainHussettowatdacet-
tain Heidegget) , then, second, to ovettun suchan existential analytics,
whichwouldonlybeotientedanddominatedbytempotality,Ssinand
Zsi/, asitwete) .1hetwomovementswouldbemadenecessatybywhat
links contact , esh, atbottom, contactltomonesellto onesell)with
atchelacticity ascon-tingency, andontheothethand, aswej ustsaw,by
what,inthecontactolesh, inHeshas contact,scsdsstime
Letustathettendt othisconnectionbetweencontactandcontingency.
Latinahotds us thischance-achancethatltanckinvests,andinwhich
2)2 Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
heinvestsinavetyactivelashion. lallowshimtoarticulatebetweenthe
two thehaptocenterednessolIdsasII,abouttheconsitutionoltheLsi/
andissell-relationbywayoltouchonly andthethemeolanarchelac-
ticity olthe esh ortather carnal dilletence, which tesists a certain
phenomenology, thatis, both its eidetics andthevariationthatitim-
plies,andakindolcontractbetweenphenomenalityandintentionality. ll
asinglewotd-thebestwotd,inawotd-namedtheconnectionbetween
archelacticityandtouching, itwouldbecontingency. 1hewotdcon-
tingentretainsallthetesoutcesobtainedltomitsphilosophicalhliation,
whilealsoemancipatingitselllromit,becomingyoungerinoneblow,and
itthusteappeatsattheendolthebook,withahyphenthatrecallsandun-
detscoresitsetymologicalcontactwithtouching. utinanearlietchap-
er,1heCatessandtheShock Lacatesseetechoc , itwasalreadya
stronglyvestedwotd. lorsevetalteasons-sttategicandsemanticones,in
away-thischapterispatticulatlyimpottantlorushete.
. On the onehand, this chaptersteps lotwatd, soto speak, to meet
whatistermedapotia onseveral occasions ,andsincetheh rstmention
olAristotleatthebeginningolthisbook,lhavesaidwhythiswordseems
necessaryo us,andwhywemighth nditenlighteningilweaccompany
itthtoughoutthiswholehistoryolphilosophyastheapotetichistotyola
haptologyand an ,ovetintetpretation oltouch . 2. 1hen, on theothet
hand,thischapterlastensuponateletencetothepassageinIdsasIIdeal-
ingwith the privilege oltouch inthe constitution olthe body ptoper.
lranckputs thewordotconceptolcsn/ingsncscontingency inchargeol
adilh cult,orevenimpossible,mission. takeonthephenomenologicalhl-
iationanddriveitwheteitseemsnottohavebeenabletogo.Hedoesthis
byh nallyproposingaseriesolpetlotmative decisions,andcomingup
withnamesornicknames-thewordcon-tingency,amongthem,isnot
alone,asweshallseeinamoment.
Letuscomebacktothisconhgutation.|ustbelotetheopeningolthe
chaper1heCaressandtheShock, ltancktecallstheapotiasthathe
haslollowedintheitdevelopment,ibid. , p. ;; andconcentratesthiste
mindetaroundthenotionollsch/ang, intetlacingsn/s/acsmsn/ ,now,
atleastsinceMetleau-lonty, commonlyttanslatedintoltenchbysn/s/acs
andinonglishbyinterwining-here,h tsolall,heinterwiningbe-
tweenotiginatysssn/a/isnand,inditect,analogical,empathicasssn
Iangsn/Il 2))
/a/isn.1heintertwiningbetweenpresentandnonprsentiswhatensures
thepresenceolthealteregoattheveryheartoltheegoandbythesame
toen,bynotleavingphenomenologypowerlessbeloetheproblemolthe
other,providesitwithathreatening resource itcannolongerretreatto-
wardanegologicalspherethatisabsolutelyproper,bywayoltranscenden-
talreduction.dso,inthenextchapter,1heCaressandtheShoc,the
wordaporiareappears, andthenitisamatterollollowingtheehortsol
anintentionalanalysistoresolvetheaporiaolapresentationthatisat
thesametime ,zag/sich) appresentation ,ibid. , pp. 6o6i) .
1he readerolthese two pages mayjudgehowrich andnecessarythey
are. l shall do no more than retain lromthem twopowerlul initiatives,
whichhavein common thattheyarepartialtowritingandnamingand
entailconsiderablyimportantstaesineachinstance.Atissue,sn/hssns
hand,A) , iswhatthewords esh, eshly,incarnate, andincarna-
tionareinchargeol/ans/a/ing, and,sn/hss/hshand, ) , thethreeval-
uesthatthewordcon-tingencyhasasitsmissiontocsndsnss.1herelore.
/ans/a/isnandcsndsnsa/isn.
^. Ians/a/isn.lhavealreadyevoedthisdelicatepassageacrossthebor-
derbetweenGermanandlrench. SinceMerleau-lonty, themoreorless
systematictranslationolLsi/by esh chai may, strictlyspeaing, be
j ustih ed.We couldsubstituteesh lorbodyproperlorthegoodrea-
sonsthatlrancgiveslordoingso,ibid. ,p. )) , ' despitetherisolsome
unerasableconnotationsthateshmayrisimporting,beitnoted,where
the question olthe Christian body eeps reopening. 1o be sure, not
everythinginthewordeshcomesdowntoChristiansemantics,assert-
ingsuch a thingwould beabsurdorimprudent. However, itwould be
equallyimprudenttoignoretheh lingandscrapingactionolthisseman-
tics,evenwheretheonesusingthiswordmaybeanythingexceptChris-
tiansandwouldnotlorasinglemomentdreamolputtingtheirdiscourse
abouteshattheserviceolaChristiancauseintentionally. Liewise,we
couldj usti-strictly,/a/snqincs/aincasssscsn/sx/s-betranslation
olLsi/haig/si/byincarnation.
utdontthingsbecomelesscertainwithregardtothetranslationolthe
assthatHusserandHeidegger,lorexample,maeoltheadverboradjec-
tive/si/haig` OrLsi/haig/si/-benallthisworddoesisconstitutea
nounbasedonthecommonuseoltheadjective:Mayonelegitimatelysee
initamoreorlessthematicanddeliberaterelerencetosomeeshorin-

z)| Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
catnation, ot, as ltanck suggests, one that is denied, avoided, and te-
ptessed: esides, common senseitsellstopsusltombelievingthatthetel-
etence to esh and incatnation-beneath thewotd /si/haig-s a//hs
sams/imsexplicitotthematic,thuslendingltancktheauthotitytottans-
lateitsteadilybyincatnateotcatnally)anddenied,avoided,teptessed,
inanycaseunacknowledged,whichisalsosomethingltancksays.histhe-
siscomesdowntomaintainingthat, despitetheltequentuseolthiswotd
insometexts,inHeideggetaswellasHussetl,thequestionolthesenseol
eshdoes notatise ibid. , p. z , hence,thettanslationol/si/haigby
incatnate-whichiscettainlynotillegitimate-butalsogivingincat-
nateapowetlullyvestedmeaning, whichisanaltogethetdilletentmat-
tet) Neithetin Hussetl not inHeideggetdoes this evetydayexptession
,/si/haig) , inthequoted texts, necessatilytelet to somelivingHesh, it
seemstome,butonlytowhattelatestotheipseity,Ss//s/hsi/) olthething
itsell, totheexpetienceolitthatisgiven,withoutte-ptesentativeotsub-
stitutivedetout, whethetthis thingisptesentto intuition ingenetal ,in
Hussetl)otscs/isintuition,inHeidegget,aboutHussetlianphenom-
enology,thatis,inthetextthatltanckcites.wellcomebacktoit) 1his
isso,evenwhenthisthingisnotessentially/iing-nomotethantheex-
petiencethattelatesto it-andhasneithet ssh not bone nachaiou
ss ,notansns,otanysssn,allowingonetosay,asonesaysalltooolten
andeasilyinltench,thatitthenptesentsitsellintheeshandbone _sn
chais/snss ,in/hs ssh, insssn,whichistosay,lotexample, anessence
aimedatbyanintuitionolanessence_ ssnsschaa otattanscendentma-
tetial thingaimedatbyapetceptiveintuition,suchas thisbtidgeabout
whichHeideggetspeaksinthetext thatisquotedatthebeginningola
discussiondesetvingallthe mote tobecloselylollowedin thatitcondi-
tionstheptoblematic,thesttategy,andthendamentallexiconolltanck's
otiginalbook.lsupposethatthelattetwouldbe the htsttoknowthathe
iscattyingoutanactivedisplacementhete-tooviolent,somemightsay,
lwouldsay,powetlulinitsintetptetation-oltheevetydayuseandout
eat'sttaditionateceptionolthewotd/si/haig.Whenhe,intwoinstances,
modihesRicut's ttanslation oldssn andsubstitutesincatnate lot
bodilyalteady an equivocal tisk, indeed-the tesult is not less am-
biguous,ot less chancy, wheteitisonlyaquestionoltheintuitionolan
essenceinitsissi/.lottheessencein question maybetheessenceol
anythingwhatsoevetandevenolthatwhich,thoughappeatingtobe/si/-
ha ig,anevetydayexptession,thetelote,hetetoexptessthe thing itsell,
Iangsn/Il z ;
thethingappearinginapresentiveintuitionin/ai/isndsna/ics} andmost
olten inaperception,butalwayswithoutrepresentativesubstitute) ,does
notnecessarilyhaveabodyproperoraHesh-anymorethan,neces-
sarily,essentily,structurally)doestheintuitionthattendstoit.Thisequiv-
ocality started in lrance, as weknow, where itwasall too olten thought
necessarytotranslate/si/haig ,theeveryday, hguativeterm, as lwould
liketoinsist-andriskabanality)byinpersonorintheHesh_snchai
s/snss} ,alas,theltaliantranslationolHusserlalso says in canssdsssa) .
ut still-onecouldhave understoodthe phrases in person or in the
eshinaweaklyhgurativelashion,as onecaninerman, think, inthe
original text, without turningss/hingthatappears belore intuition or
perception,andthereloretheworlditselilwelollowMerleau-lonty) into
asshinthepropersense,anincana/isn,oracarnalthing.
lranckmusttherelorerej ectboththeeverydayuseoltheword,which
is vaguelyandconventionallymetaphorical) andthe reading olthis use
,whichisalsocommon,andvaguelyandconventionallymetaphorical)in
ordertojustihisinterventionandthesystematicrecoursetothelexicon
olliteralincarnation ,illmayputitthisway) intranslating/si/haig. He
doesthisinacomplexpassage,init,lbelievecanreadanuneasyaware-
ness,rightalterthesentencemodih edincurstranslationolIdssnto
whichlhavej ustalluded.
Ouemustuotmistakeiucatuategiveuuesswhichdeuesevideuceiugeuetal
,beloteauyctiticismaudthusauyptoblemcoucetuiugwhatisapodicticlot
example) , lot ametaphot amauuetolspeakiug, a ttait ptopetto Hussetl's
style. Thete would be iu this a doubleptesuppositiou, possiblyshatiugthe
same toot. htst, the oue coucetuiugthettivial coucepts olmetaphot, uttet-
auce, aud style which is tathet iguotaut about thepatt played by esh iu
Hussetl'saualysisollauguage,secoud,theouecoucetuiugapheuomeuologi-
calstateol-thiugsiuitselwhich is utidicallyuucouuectedto auytelatiou
with esh.Now ilouekeepstothesecoudoue,allolHussetlsaualysesassett
thateshaccompau|eseachpetceptiou-iucatuategiveuuessiuwhicheshis
allatoucegiveuaudgiviug. ,ltauck,Chairetcors, p. r;)
utcan'twetakeusserl'slrequentuseoltheword/si/haigtobecon-
ventionalandmetaphorical,indeed,amannerolspeaking,atraitproper
toHusserl'sstyle)withoutgivingintoatrivialconceptolmetaphor,that,
ontheotherhand,wecandeconstruct) :Can'twelegitimatelydissociateit
lromthepartthatHusserl-/hss/hshand, s/ssahss, withinspecih c
Exsm/S/sisss/hs F/ssh"
andthematicanalyses-doesindeedatttibutetoHesh,si/,si//ich/si/)
in his analysisoflanguage:MaywenottakesetiouslyHussetl'sptoposi-
tionsonthesubjectofthefactthatHesh,Lsi/,Lsi//ich/si/)accompanies
each petception without dtawing the conclusion that, each time he
wtitesleibhaftigtodesignatethemodalityofthethingotessencegiven
tointuitiveexpetience,hedesignatestheHeshofthesaidthingotthecat-
nal chatactetofthesaidintuitiveexpetience:1hesametypeofquestion
istaisedbyltanck's longquotation ,Chais/css, pp. 2O2J) ftomHei-
degget'sHis/ss/hs Csncs/sms.lnit,Heideggetmakesanimpot-
tant distinctionbetweenwhat is bodily-given, otgivenin theHesh
, ltanck'sttanslationofsi/hagsgs/sn) ,andwhatis self-given _Ss//s/-
gsgs/sn} . lnthe htstcase,abtidge,fotexample, l can envisage ot te-
ptesentittomyself_sgsgsna/igsn}whenlsetmyselfbefotethebtidge
itselfichsss/smichsdisBac/s} .1hete, thebtidgecanbegivento
me, i/ssin this envisaging ot te-ptesentation _indisss lgsgsna/i-
gang thatis notapetception,outsideofanyimageotfantasy, with-
out fotthatmattetbeinggiventome/si/haig /si/haiggsgs/sn} . ut
does this mean that fot Heidegget, in the petception, the btidge itself
wouldbeincatnate,madeofHeshotgiventoHeshassuch:lhatdly
thinkso.
lotifthequestionofthesenseofHeshdoesnotatise ,whichisnota
self-evidenthypothesis,incidentally) , neithetfotHussetl notfotHeideg-
get, itis pethaps pteciselybecause-well, yes, theywish to say nothing
thatonecouldttanslatebylitetallyandthematicallyinvestingitwithHesh,
incatnationandcatnalvalues,wheninthesecontextstheywtitesi/haig-
/si/, /si/ha, otsi/haig-eveninthecaseofpetception.Moteovet,isn't
thiswhatltanckhimselfissayingwhen heestablishesthatthe twodonot
btingupthequestionofHesh wheteltanck,fothispatt, teinttoduces
thewotdinhisttanslationsinsuchanactivefashion:
1hestakesofthisdecisionovettuntheonesofattanslationthatissim-
plylinguistic ,anditisbecause,beyondthevittuallyChtistianconnota-
tionsofthewotdHesh, onealso ,thoughthetwo thingsmaygohandin
hand-motethanevet) tuns the tiskofasottofglobalization msndi-
a/isa/isn} ofHesh,bestowingaHeshuponthings, essences, andmodes
ofexpetiencethatateeshless,withoutLsi/)byessence,andwithoutself-
telationotself-contact. Otonewouldfutthettunthetiskofmultiplying
obscutitieswhenitis necessatyto ttanslateF/sisch ,l gaveanexampleof
thiseatliet) andmoteespeciallythebecoming-bodyotbeing-body,Kc
Ingsn/ z;/
s)oltheLsi/,theLsi//csthatHussetlalsodiscusses.Doesn'tltanck
himsellnote this:'Anddoesn'thespeciitelsewhete, pteciselyonthe
subjectolapptesentativepaitinandtheconstitutionoltheothet'sbody:
llouehtmymaiutaiusthedilleteuceiumeauiugolbodilyeshaudbody,
aud iloueholdsto thevetylettetolthisdesctiptioubyHussetliupatagtaph
,|oltheCartesianMeditations-ans. } ouecauhatdlyseeltomwhetethe
seuse bodily hesh might come the seuse auimate otgauism, iu Dotiou
Caitus'sttauslatiouoltheCartesianMeditations-as } itcauevideutlyuot
detiveitsotigiultommybody.atemetgesltomthisisthattheothetbody
cauuottakeouauyseusethatmyowubodyptopetdoesuotpossess,audthat
thecoustitutiouoltheothetcauuottakeplace. Hussetl's useolthewotds
KceraudLei/makescompleteseuse,heiuitiallyassigusthemopposedmeau-
iugsbuttheuusesthemiudisctimiuatelylatetou. luadditiou,wheuabody
takesoutheseuseolbodilyHeshaudcousequeutlytheseuseolbodilyHesh
iuawotld,bodilyHeshbelougiugtoauothetwotld,thissiguihesthatitisby
wayoltheiucatuatiouolabodyaudtheiucotpotatiouolaheshthattheteis
somewotld.Wheuwehavedetetmiuedthecouditiousmakiugthisiucatua-
tiouaudthis iucotpotatioupossible,weshallhaveatta|uedtheotigiuolthe
wotld. , ltauck, Chairetcos,pp.i,o-,i)
Shouldn

t this be the place to speak about machine-bodies css-

machins ,thatistosay,technicalptostheses,somethinneithetMetleau-
lontynotltanckmentions asapossibility, ot, inanycase,takesintoac-
count inan essential way) : Shouldn't this be the tie to speak olthis
KcstihtonotintheLsi/tihtonotinthesaideshltomwhich
itbecomes indissociable:Shouldn'tthisbetheplacewhete one needsto
takeintoaccountthepossibilityolttansplantation,ltomwhichthebody
ptopetotbodily esh-intheitpossibility, pteciselyhavealways been
indissociable,alwaysundecidablyindissociable:Andisn'tthisintettwin-
initsell, sch/ang) `1histechnicalsupplement,whichisbothKcs
andLsi/,wouldthuslotceustoteconsidetthisdistinctionltomthelocus
olanaltetityothetetoeneitythatisnol onetnecessatilyandltomthe
outsetthelocusolanalteteo,especiallyinthehuteolothethumanbe-
insotGod.Anditwillhavebecomecleat,inkeepinwithouthypothe-
sis,thatthedividinlineweseektoteconizenodoubttunsthete.
1hewholeptoblemol eshitsellisitscotpoteitybeloteandbeyond
anyincotpotation,ptecisely,andeveninthepsychoanalyticalmeaninol
thislattetwotd-inwhatiscalledthewotkolmoutnin) ,lotesh isalso
abody. itisevenonthisvetysubjectthatltanckinttoduceshisapoti

.
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs''F/ssh"
,Chais/css,pp. i;,6o) .AbouttheconstitutionoleshasphysicalHesh,
thatis,asphysicalthing,theteagainltanckpteciselyspeaks,alteady, ola
ndamentalapoti ,ibid. , pp. ,?,,) .
1houghpetplexedby these ptoblems, l do not have atmydisposala
satisinglinguisticsolutionlotategulat, unequivocalttanslationolLsi/
-andespecially/si/haigotLsi/haig/si/.lamnotacquaintedwithany
ttanslationolthesewotdsthatmighthtwithin onewotd,andsolmetely
undetscotethedangetsthatlutkinttanslatinginaunique,tegulat, and
ss/sma/iclashion,withoutanytthetptecaution,thewotdLsi/by esh,
andespecially/si/haigbyin theesh snchai} ,catnally chans/s-
ms/ ,ot inanincatnateway_dssn ''incans" .Whenoneotganizes
anentiteptoblematicandtestsanentite intetptetativehandiwotkanda
ptogtam ,analytics olincatnation) upon such an active ttanslation,
doesn'tone tun the tiskolscingotca//ingsa/thebody, thetewhete
theteissometemaining,somebody, ptopetotimptopet-otj ustbody),
andconvetsely, oladdingsome-when/si/haigdoes notnecessatilyte-
let to body otesh , ptopetotimptopet) :When Hussetl speaks ol
i-butmuchless,pethapsnotatall,whenheemploys thewotd /si/-
haig- is lile that he implies , lile, in phenomenology, is alteady an
enotmous ptoblem-it has kept a lait numbet among us, including
ltanck,atwotklotquitesometime) ,s/sssn/hsmindasas/ Hus-
setlolten insistsonthe Csis/ig/si/olLsi/otongsis/igs Lsi//ch/si/. y
makingHeshubiquitous,onetunsthetiskolvitalizing, psychologizing,
spititualizing, intetiotizing, ot even teapptoptiatingevetything, in the
vetyplaceswhete one might still speakolthe nonptopetnessotaltetity
olHesh. '
. Csndsnsa/isn.etusnowcometothedelibetateaccumulationolthtee
semanticpowetsthatasinglenamingactgathetsinthewotdcsn/ingsn.
i) 1ouching ,and thetelote the teletence hete, both implicitandex-
plicit,to thelamouspassageabouttouchintheconstitutionoltheLsi/
inIdsasII) .
,z)Con-tactwith thebodyptopeto t withHesh-motepteciselythe
contactltomoneselltoonesellascontactltomoneselltotheothet ,con-
tactwiththebodyptopet,withHesh, otcon-tactltomoneselltoonesell
ascon-tactwiththeothet'sLsi/,andsolotth) .
,))1hecontingencyolthiseshasessentiallacticity,letustecallthat
csn/ingssistouching, attaining,but also happeningto come,belalling,
getIl z) )
lallingtoone'slotot patt) .theessentiallacticityol thisaleatoticevent-lo-
calizationwouldsetupalocusoltesistancetoeideticvatiation.
lwouldliketoemphasizeinthishappy,lucky, andseductivecondensa-
tion that it is accompanied bya seties oltetminological and ptogtam-
maticdecisionsandpetlotmativenamingacts,dec|atedotnot) ,thej usti-
hcationolwhichtemainsellipticalotsuspendedattimes. Hete,now,is
the htst intetptetation olthe tactile, olcontactwithonesellas contact
withtheothet,puteauto-allectionasputeheteto-allection.
Otigiuatilyptopet, esh,theotigiuoltheptopet, isotigiuatilyuuptopetaud
istheotigiu oltheuuptopet.
Moteptecisely.ilmyeshisotigiuatilycoustitutedtactilely, thatis,iuthe
htststtatumiutheotdetolcoustitutiouauimplicitteleteucetoIdea// thus
esseutiallygiviugctedittoHussetl'stext-|.D , thisisalottiotivalidlotthe
hesholtheothet whya lottioti`-|. D. .Andcatual telatious, thetelet-
euce oloue heshtoauothet, ate thusrstoa/acou-tact why htst olall `
What il, byteasouoltheiuditectaresentationolthe othet's body-ovet
thete,oltheothethete-ouehadallatoucetogothtoughsight,audmittots,
otheatiug,otsmell`Otthtoughaualtogethetdilleteutsyuaesthetic,otaues-
thetic,otalteadymechauical,otgauizatiou`-|. D } . Whetedoesmyhesheud
iluotwhetetheothetheshmakesitselllelttoite//eseitsentir] Whete
euds lutthetmeauswhetebegius Myheshisatitslimit, outhevetgeol
beiugexceeded,altogethetouitsowubotdet,whichisthebotdetoltheothet
-thatis, miue. Hussetlhasgtaspedthiscobelougiugolhesh. Theappet-
ceptiouoloue'sowubodilyhesh Lei/, chair audtheappetceptiou olthe
othetbodilyhesh_Lei/chair esseutiallybelougtogethet. Thecoutactol
ouesellwithouesellascoutactolouesellwiththeothet,puteautoaectiou
asputeheteto-allectiou) isthecoutactoloueheshwiththeothet. ,ltauck,
Chairetcors,pp. i6;-6?)
Seveta|impetativeotpetlotmativegacts,catess, shock,con-
tingency)lollowtheteupon. Eatliet,ontheptecedingpage,anothetini-
tiativeinnaming,whichisj ustasabtuptilnotatbittaty,hasmoteovet|ed
thewaylototptepatedthesetwodecisionsotdectees,thesetwoinstances
ollet'scall. Onecancallthislimit-otteletenceolmyeshtoanoth

t
-sexual dilletence, p. i 6/) 1hetelote,let's call twice.
Let'scallthistouchiuwhichuoiucotpotatiouiutetveuescatess. 8utiucot-
potatiouuecessatilydetivesltommetelytelatiugoueheshtoauothet,which
isacatess. Theulet'scalltheeucouutetolbodiesshock.Thecatessisalso
ashock.Whatthisyieldsistheaccouutouemaythusgiveolallthatisam-
\
z|o Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
biguousiuaudaboutpheuomeuology,audolthepheuomeualduplicitythat
itdesctibesaudtitelesslytties to mastetaudteduce.
Alleshiscoustitutedltomouecoutacttotheothetiuothetwotds, esh
isesseutiallyon-tingent, audthiscoutiugeucytebouudsoutotheuppetcou-
stitutiousoliutetsubjectivity, olobjectivity. ,ibi d. , p. i6?)
hisdoublenamingnotonlyptesupposesthatthedeh nitionolcatnal
dihetencebesriginaiqssxMa/-ptovidedthatacatessisalwayssexed,see
thepteviousnoteandthequestionsthatittaises) .ltimmediatelyassociates
thecatess ,oloneeshbyanothet)withtheshock,betweentwobodies) .
Now,thecatessisashock, itisalsoashock,saysltanckthisptesupposes
that,whilethecatesscannotbeteducedtoshock,italwaysimpliessome
shock,j ustasesh,Lsi/)alwaysimpliessomebody,Ks) . luttheton,
thisisteitetated. Otiginatily,intentionalityisacatnalpaiting,sexualdil
letence,thecatessandtheshockdetetmineitsmostgenetalsttuctute. . . .
heotiginolttanscendenceisthecatess, but, immediatelytutninginto
shock,itisalsoitsteduction ,ibid. ,pp. i
)

/
o) .
Whytwo nouns, then-catessandshock:Andwheteis one tolocate
any//sathat,likeashock,also involvestheeshandnotonlythebody
,andyetthebodyaswell)-iloneistokeepthisdistinctionandthisttans-
lationolit:Whatilthetewetesomeblowsttuckwithinthecatess:Whete
would one situate it, in this netwotk oldistinctions that all have todo
withhaptis:Whatdoesimmediatelytutnintomeanhete:Doesitim-
plysome otiginatityolthe catess, some antetiotity, beit subtle andin-
stantaneous, olthecatess andtheteloteol eshbelotethebody:Would
thecatesscomebelotetheshock,astheheshbelotethebody:Andbelote
theblow:heanswets to these questionsatesuspendedhete, butwecan
quicklypetceivewhatisclassicallyatstake in them-that is, whethetot
nottheevetydayappellation body ,Ks) css telets tosomething
secondatyotnot.
heteisyetanothetconsequencelollowingthiscondensatingandovet-
detetmineduseolthewotdcontingency, aconsequencethatcommands
themotiloltheatchelacticityolthesidssegoas hesh. ltanckimmedi-
atelygoeson.
This,uodoubt,isthedetetmiuiugmotilthatleadsHussetlbacktowatdthis
atchelacticityaboutwhichwe have alteadyspokeuiuthecoutext olthete-
ductioutotheeidosego.lleshiscoutiugeut,illacticityisitsesseuce audas
Iangsn/Il z|i
suchinvatiableandtesistingvatiation) ,itwillnodoubtthwatttheeideticpte
tensions olanyconstitutive analysis, to theextent that itintetvenes inany
constitutionolttanscendence,andletuskeepintesetvetheptoblem oltem-
potality) . No doubt,phenomenologythusdemandsan intetptetationolthis
atchelacticitytowhichHeideggethtst dedicatedhimsel ,ibid. , pp. 6?6,)
llweweretodevelopourquestionsabouttheseprogrammaticnaming
perlormativeshere ,butitisnotourdirectconcern) , oneolthemwould
havetodowiththetasksolatranscendentaldeductionolesh /ans-
zsndsn/a/sDsda//isndssLsi/ss} ,aHusserlianexpresson) . lranckisspe-
cih caboutthesetasks,comparingthemtotheonesolaKantiandeduction
thatanalesanobj ectsconditionsolpossibility.A larasthisdeductionis
concerned, lrancklurtherstatesthatHusserlhasneversetitupandput
ittoworkmisssnchan/is,ibid. ,p ii)
1herearetwodirectionsatleastamongthesetasks. ,r) thededuction
olsexualdillerenceas therelerenceoloneeshtoanother ,lhavemen
tionedthedilhcultyolthis deduction. canoneHeshonlyberelerred
to another inaccordancewithsexuality, andmoreespeciallyaorthe
sexualdillerence:) , ,z)thedeductionolthe bodypoliticastherelerence
oloneeshto thecommunityolall others ,ibid. , p. ii) . Whatcould
politicmeanhere:Doesbeingpoliticpertaintotheessenceolevery
community:We maydoubtit. llonewentbeyondtheprogramorsiteol
the setup chan/is still tocome ,notonlylorHusserl) , thedetermina-
tionandnamingolcommunityasbodypoliticwouldpresuppose
ahistorythatissooverdeterminedandastratihcationsothickylayered
withphenomenologicalstratathatonewouldrunthe riskolputtingoll
thesaiddeductionloreveritmayevenbecomeimpracticableinprinciple,
asatranscendentalphenomenologicaldeduction-acompletelydillerent
story,andhistory) ,wemightsay,andthenmakeitourturntosetupthis
thingandleaveitunderconstruction.
Letusgatherschematicallywhatseemstosetapart,lromtheoutsetand
virtuallyatleast,thisbookbyDidierlancklromNancyscorpusaslar
asthethemesthatareimportantto us are concerned,withoutin anyway
disputingordiminishingtheoriginalityollranck'sbookand theneedlor
it. Nodoubt,therehardlyseems tobeanythingmorenecessaryandcon-
vincingthantotakeintoaccountthenonprope,thes/hsinaword) in
thesphereolthe proper ormy Hesh, withall the consequences that
lranckisrighttodrawlromthis. utdoesntthisreckoningcontend in
z|z Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
the htst placeinand ol esh-on-Heshin which thetechno-ptosthetic
substitute ,theintettwiningolKsandLsi/-the/schnolbodiesot
scs/schnics, inNancy's language) is notgivenanystatus, otanyessential
thematicotganiation,itseemstomeHencethetiskolmatginaliingot
leaving in shadow thea/ss sx/aa/ss sttuctute ,which is nonliving,
anotganic,andessentiallydivisible,asitwete) olabody,Ks) thatis
nolongetessentiallyalien otextetnalwith tegatd to Hesh ,i)-ot
tathetthat pettains otbelongs to it, ilonecouldstill saythis, but as
somethingloteign,that is, assupplementatyttansplantedgtalt. ltpettains
toitwithoutpettainingtoit. lsn'ttheteais/olmatginaliingthematgin
thete ,lotl ammetelyspeakingolavittualtiskhete,olapotentialdis-
cutsiveconcatenationtiedtoacettaindegteeolthematicinsistence, and
notolanacceptedphilosophicalthesis. ) 1hiswouldalso,simultaneously,
patadoxicallybethe tiskola,catnal,spititual,vitalotviviing,andinte-
tiotiing) sasia/isn,thetiskolatetutntotheptopetonthepattol
thevetythingthatisichsmdnottheego'sptopetly, buttebecomingot
stilltemainingegological. ythesametoken,anddespitetheobligatoty
phenomenologicalvigilanceonthissubject ,oncethewotldhasbeente-
duced and, with it, evetythesis ptopetlyanthtopological) , itisthehu-
manego thattemains themeasute olallthings phenomenological-asl
suggestediteatlietaboutMetleau-lonty
notdettomake mysellbettet undetstood, l hete telettotwo ltag-
mentsbyHussetl,citedinltanck'snotes,thattakethemeasuteolthetask
at hand, aswellas itsdilhculty. ltanckmetelypointsthemoutanddoes
noth ndanyltighteninglimit thete.1hehtstnotequotes alongandlas-
cinatingpassageltomHussetl'sKisishavingtodowithanimals inad-
ditionto the insane and childten ,ltanck, Chais/css, p. i;onz) .
1hesecond note ,ibid. , p. ;n;) has todowith the temptation, which
Hussetlleels,butinlactwatdsollatonce,tothinkawotldwithoutany
bodily esh /si//sss// . ltanckthen quotes Hussetl ina context in
whichtheintetsubjectivewotldandintetsubj ectivityseemtobelongto,
to bepattandpatcelol, theotdetolthehuman. Hussetlthenexcludes
any nonhuman Hesh and deems natute without human beings un-
thinkable. hesays, atthispoint, withoutLsi/s,thetelotewithouthu-
manbeings. Andthisthingseemscleattohim. Cleatly, anatutewith-
outbodies,thetelotewithouthumanbeings,isunthinkable.
1hisclosingisnotillegitimateinitsell,tobesute andaboutwe,men,
Ingsn/Il z|

we,humans, ohyes,theteatecettainlyenoughthingstosaythatatenot
smple
ut, htst,thisanthtopocentticptivilege,sometimesunavowed) , beit
ttanscendental,isnotalwaysconsequentintelationtothemostambitious
ttanscendental teduction, the one that should suspendevetythesis in
volvngtheexistenceofthewotldotinthewotld,includngthatofhu-
man beings. Second,thissameptivilegesometimesdtivesoneto neglect
whatisnothumanhesh, outsideofthehumanwotldandsometimes
evennthehumanwotld,thes-body) ,technicalptostheses,animals
inthehumanwotldandoutsideofit. 1hitd, atthevetypointwhetea
cettain histotcity ofttanscendental atchefactcityis taken setously ,as
ltancksays and does) , ths selfsame anthtopologca ptivilege tends to
ovetshadowthehistoticitythatsdacsshaman/sings-and/schnics,always
inaptostheticaway-whatlhavemotethanonce,usingcommonwotds,
tetmedhominizationottheemetgence ofthehandofman. loutth,
andhnally,when thisptvilegingofthehumanimpattstselftoo teadily,
itfteesthepathmoteeasily-unlessithasalteadyentetedit-towatdthis
anthtopotheologcal,otevenhtistian,thinkngofesh,tactlity, theca-
tess,inawotd,thehtistianbody,whchlamnotttyingtodenounceot
teecthete,buttothinktopondet,toweigh
II an_cnt N
7ngcnc, cnd Ccntingcnc 2. Ihc 'mcrcq/
hcnd cthc Fcthcr

uith uhich hc thu
tcuchc u

i thc Scn. . . . thc vrd thct i
thc tcuch thct tcuchc thc Scu/ ' (tcquc dc
/c Dieinidcd . . . c/ tcquc quc tccc c/ c/mc)
J | hc hcart ol Lhristology is thc doctrinc ol thc incarnation,
and . . . thc hcart ol thc doctrinc ol thc incarnation is thc
doctrinc ol /amaaust4, ol consubstantiality, ol thc idcntity or
thc community ol bcing and substancc bctwccn thc Fathcr and
thc 5on. J his is what is complctcly ncw tn ctt] with Lhristianity.
|can-Luc lancy, Jhc Lcconstruction ol Lhristianity '
Letus stattovetagain.Letus comemoteditectlyt othedsa/ms/that
wehavebeengtaingagainstsincethebeginning-nodoubtob|iquelyand
vittual|y, butinsistently-whilea|ways tendingtotoucbwithtact.
1. |ean-Lucancy'sstatedptojectoladeconsttuctionolChtistianity,
a ptoj ect mote specihcallydesctibed, a|beit with sometesetvations and
concetnsabouttbe possibilityolthis hypetbo|icthing,asadeconsttuc-
tionolthe/sd, olcsas,andtheteloteolChtistiantouching, itsellen-
tailinghumanualistotanthtopotheo|ogica|touching.
2. 1henotionolHesh, anditsconnotationotovetdetetmination,and
Chtistiantoucb, whethetotnotitttanslatestheGetmanLsi/.
lotthismoteditectapptoacb,andinotdettotouch moteexp|icit|y,
thematica|lyandpettinent|y,lhope,ontbisquestionolChtistiantouch-
ing, |etusp|aceoutse|vesatthepointwhetetheotiginatyinvo|vement
oltheothet,olthea|tetego ,lotexampleinltanck,seemedtodisotga-
nieot uncentetin advance acettainphenomen-ego|ogical, but nonhu-
man,apptoachtowatdtacti|ity, se|l-contact,andtouchingonesel
1ouching, toucbingonesell. to be sute, ancyhasputin wotds this
sttangeteHexivity, asbaveothetsbelotehim,buthehasa|sosaidits/hs-
aiss, dilletent|y, lot example ltom Mautice Metleaulonty, ot Henti
Ma|diney.
Remindet.Metleau-lonty.1otoucbis to toucbonese|l.
z
Iangsn/l z|
Maldiney. lntouchingthings,wetouchoutselvestothem,as itwete,
weatesimul taneouslytouchingandtouched.
ean-LouisChttienhasalsowishedtoheatthesediscoutsesolteection
s/hsaissHecitesthematthevetybeginningolthemagnihcentlastchap-
tetolhis bookLas/s//a snss 1heCallandtheesponse ,whichl
discovetedwhenitwaspublishedinJ2, andthenqoted,alltoobtiey,
attheptoolstage, in thehtst,minimalvetsioninnglisholthistext.
1oday,lwouldliketocomebacktoitmotepatiently,beitonlytopaya
ttibutetoit,inalllaitness.1hisbook,anditschaptetonbodyandtouch
motepatticulatly, mayhavehadoneaw,that is, itignoted otlacked all
knowledgeolNancy'simmensewotk,evenilshatingthissetiousignotance
withtoomanyoloutcontempotaties,alas,wasitsexcuse.Letusbetthat
thisignotancewill notlast.
l donotknowanythinkingthatismotelotcelulandcohetent,mote
ptepatedtogivetotheconceptol ssh-to eshtochingandtouched
theChtistianvocationtowhichl haveltequentlyalludedbelote. One is
nolongetdealingwith connotation ot ovetdetetmiation, ot a touch
moteotlessacceptedotdenied,butwithdelibetatedeclatations. Chttien
putsinpetspectiveagainneatlyevetyavenueolthoughtthatwehavesit
uateduptothispoint,ltomAtistotletoHussetl'sphenomenology.Heac
commodatestheothetandinsctibesanessentialdwellingtoaccommodate
the othet-theothetexceedingthel ,as does ltanck-whomChttien
nevetmentions,howevet,lthink)-atthecatnalheattoltheegoandego-
logicalptopetness.ln thisway, he, too, dissymmettizestheteexivityol
toching, aswellas ss/s Mching, andtevetsesits otigin. thedoesthis
inatextthatonecanteadthistimeas apowetlul,modetnAtistotelian-
1homisthaptology lnlact, its claim is to takeAtistotle's thinkingas a
guidingthtead ,Chttien,Lus/s/hsnss,p. roz , thoughthequasi-
lastwotd, otatleastthedecisiveatgument, thatcalls into questionate
exive sell-touch, is that ol1homas Aquinas, Atistotle's intetptetets.
1hettansitivityoltouchalwayswinsovetteexivity Chttiensaysttan
sitivity tathetthanintentionality, although hisdiscoutseshows many
matksolthephenomenologicalttaditionandpteciseteletencestoHussetl
andMetleau-lonty. Concetningtheahsandtheaha/olthisitteducible
/ansi/ii/, Chttien wants to temind us olsome decisive moments. to
touchistotouchsomeoneotsomething,touchssms/hings/ss,touchssms-
/hings/hs,ssmss/hs-oitisnothing,itisnottouching.venwhenwe
atein,ss) touch, otwhenthetouchingonestouch/hsmss/ss,theyatein
Exsm/S/sisss/hsF/ssh"
touchwith somethingothetthan themselves andate touchedbysome
thingothetthanthesamese|lthattouches. thetouchingcannotbethe
same as thetochedevenwhenthe touchingtouchesi/ss1hen some
othetisinitsell.Oneoesnot/sachwhenonetouchesns/hing,whenone
touchessnns/hingandtampetswithit.
1heteisnothingmotelogical,mote|ogico-gtammatical,nothingthat
makesmotesensethanthisaxiom.encetheilhcutyletusnotsaythe
impossibiityconlettingontheuntouchabletheegitimacy,dignity,neces
sity,anthevetysignihcation, thatwetecognizedlotitinothetdiscoutses
andindi

etentsenses,ltomLevinastoMet|eauonty, lotexamp|e.1tan
sivitydoesnotetitselbeteduced,evenintheptesumedteexivityol ss
/sachingtowhich, incidentaly, httienisapattyltomthevetybegin
ning _Lus/s//a snss, p. oz ) . 1he dilhculty lies not so much in
tehexivityottevetsibi|ity,whichhttienacknowledgesandtakesintoac
count between me anme, i . e. , Meteauonty. 1o touchis to touch
onesell-otbetween things and mysell, i . e. , Maldiney. ln touching
things, we touch outselves to them, as itwete we ate simutaneously
touchingandtouched. , buthastodowithsmms/.1hetemaybesome
tevetsibilityottehexivelo|ingbutitisintheexposeincutvationola
isymmetty. httiensinitialstatement1histevetsibilityoes notyield
anysymmetty _p o| )luhsitsellinhismodetn tepetitionolAquinas,
teayedbysomeassettions olalhtmation,assettiveinstancesolyesan
yesto, inalaitnumbetolthinkets andpoets-lotexample, lke.1o
besensitivetotouch,leelcontact,andtosense, istocsnssn/.1hesenseol
touchishtstolall,likethesenseolevetysensation,asenseolconsentit
isanhasthissense.ss/scsnssn/,whichalways,aninadvance,implies
ttansitivity,ss/s /scsnssn//s) .
Lvetysensationtstconsentstotbewotd, andonlytbetebycanitcomeback
toitsellTbe oyolbeingisolanaltogetbetdiHetentotdetltomanysensation
andanysellpleasute.lj oybutnswitbaputeyesandtiseslikeaHamewitb
outleaningbackontoitsell ltisnottooneselltbatonesaysyes,andtbatis
wbyitisonlywitbintbeyestbatoneisttulyonesell
Ttansivityis tbus lotemostanditistadical to live, indeed is to be out-
draassensein,aslkeputsitinbislastpoem ,Cbttien,ae/etm
nse p I(;)
otthemomentletusallowthisssto butn anits ametotisewell
seeaneedlotitlatet.
Iangsn/l :|/
Wy, andhow, canthettansitivity belotemost andtadical : ete
iswhete the teletencetoAquinasbecomesnecessaty itchtistianizesthis
haptologics.Aquinas comments onandtelaunchesAtistotelian theology
dealingwithintellectualcontactandtheintellectstouchingtheintelligible
,wespokeolthiseatliet) ,andhethetebysimultaneouslyassettstheimms-
diaolintellectualtouchingandtheimaoltheintelligible. Spititua
touchingas puteactknowsneithetanyintetvallicmediumnotanydis-
tance,iteventtanscendsthevalueolallect. 8eingatouchingwithoutal-
lection, an activeandactualtouching,itis nolongetmediatizedascatnal
touching would be. 8ut lot all its immediacy, it nonetheless temains
ttansitive. ltisnolongetsimplyesh, butspititalteady, itisnolonget
tempotal ot potential, but etetnal-like the pute act otAtistotle's htst
movet.1tansitivitythatismaintainedisattansitionltomselltosell-pute
teectionas putettansitivity. Hence abteakltomthephenomenologyol
catnal autoallection, thatistosay, ltomasensibl ehaptology.Whatthis
saysisthatthesenseoltouchingmaynotcomeltomthesenses,theptopet
senseoltouchisloteigntosensibility. Suchisthisstoty, thishistotyextta-
otdinaite-theotdinatystotyandhistotyolChtistianlanguage.latltom
takingspititualotintellectualtouchinglotametaphotolsensibletouch-
ing,we ontheconttatyhavetoconvett ,itisacsnssisn,indeed) thein
tetptetationolsensibletouchingsoas todeciphetinittheincatnatettope
andthecatnalh guteolaputelyspititualtouch.1hisconvetsionisnota
thetoticalopetation,itisaconvetsionolthebody, itsbecoming-hesh.8y
actuallytouchingtheintelligiblethatitisitsell,spititetetnallyaccedesto
itsellandttansitsltomitselltoitsell. ltbecomeswhatittouchesandas it
touches.1heptimacyoltheinteligibleisalwayscleatlyassetted.Theteis
thus a tadical dilletence ltom the myabsolute contact with mysell' ol
whichMetleaulontyspeaksandltomautoallection ,ibid. , p.i ;) .
B /hssamss/s/s,andthisindissociability, thistigotousconsequence
maybewhatgives thistextitsotiginalityandimptessive,impettutbable
lotce) , the Chtistian bodyolthis convetsionptesents itsellas a his/sic
bodymatkedin itsvetyessencebythehistotical event oltevelation, ln-
catnation,theuchatist, bythegiving, theannouncing, theptomising,
andthememotyolHocestmeumcotpus. 1heteisnolongetanydenial
whatsoevetolthebody'shistoticity, noassettionolanabsttacthistoticity
withoutahistotyoltouch,asinsomephenomenologesolessentialatche-
lacticity, otsome ,Heideggetian)thinkingolOn/a/si/,tevealability) as
moteotiginatythanOn/aang,tevelation) .ltisasaChtistianbodythat
Exsm/aS/sisss/hsF/ssh"
theChtistian bodyptesentsitsellhete andsignsitsell, which is tosayas
thepost-sin,post-lncatnationhistoticalbody-aswhatitis,whichisto
say as what it aspites to be, in spitit, in its ttuth. lt is up to othets to
demonsttate, iltheycan btingptool, that theyhavenothingto do,see,
make,andtouchwiththehistotyandstotyolthisttuth.
B /hssamss/s/s,andthiss/s/swillnotbelonginconvettingitsell
intoahetycasss) ,thenotionolcsn/ingsnctakesonalullyhistoticalmean-
ing,ltomitsetymologicalcontactwithtouching.Chaptetroanalzedthe
tematkablecondensation towhich thewotd contingency gives tisein
ltanckswtiting.Hete,inagestutethatisanalogousyettadicallydietent
,pattiallyexplainingthelackolateletencetoltanck,nodoubt) ,Chttien
inhistutndetetminesandemphasizesthewotdcontingency-thtough
the,otiginatyadetymologica)contactbeweentouching,thesell-touching
olthedivinesptitthatgoesupinamesbyitsell)andthehistoticalcon-
tingencyolthecteatutethatcomesaltetitandletsitsellbetouchedby
it. Onlysincethehistotyolcteation,andthenincatnation,doescontin-
gencyhaveanysense.1hecteatuteiscontingent.Contingencytoucheson
touchastheexpetienceolcteatedhumanity-inhistoticaltime,lotevet
andetetnally. tethehasquotedAquinas abouttouchingthehtstintel-
ligible,Chttienthusptoduces,te-ptoduces,otmotivatesthewotdcon-
tingency.ltisltomcontactwithitsellasintelligiblethatthedivinespitit
is inamed and sets itsellon hte etetnally, and itis byletting itsellbe
touchedthatitsetsonhtewhatcomesaltetit.Whatismostnecessatyis
csn/ingsncitselintheetymologicalsenseolthetetm-thevetycontact
ltomwhetetheetetnalhashollight _c/ai sptingslotth,ltomwhichall
issuspendedandalldepends,ibid. , p.r ;r) .
Whythisame:Aamethatsetsonhte,nodoubt,ttansitively) ,butbe-
causeithtstsetsi/ssonhte,thedivinespititisinhamedandsetsitsellon
hteetetnally, anditisbylettingitsellbetouchedthatitsetsonhtewhat
comesaltetit) :1hehameisnotonlyahgutelotdesiteandlove,which
willsooninspite,aspite,andspititualiethishapto-onto-theo-teleologyol
Chtistianhesh,theChtistiantepetitionoldesiteaccotdingtoAtistotle,
whichwehadalteadylollowedinRavaisson) , and eatly thenextsen-
tence.Onlythethoughtollove,howevet,givesheshallitsspititualchatge,
andleadstouchtoitshighestpossibility ,ibid. , p. r ;r).
1heamei sthebecoming-loveolAtistoteliandesite,ssxis) ,becauseit
touchesandahects,anditsigniheshtstolallthespontaneiyolacaasasai.
aameisinamedandsetsi/ssonhte,inanycase, itseemstocatchhte
Iangsn/l z
)
wltboutanyoutsldecause,andlntblsway,ltlsdlvlne-llketbelltstMovet
otluteAct, tbetblnklngoftbougbt, ` tbedesltable Godwbomovesby
blmselfandlnspltesdeslte. 8utbeteAtlstot|es Godlslnh nltlzed.Hewas
alteady dlscontlnuous and ttanscendent ln tbe scope oftbe sublunaty
wotld, andbenowbecomeslnhnltelydlstantotdlscontlnuouswltboutany
posslbleanalogywltbtbewotldofcteatutes ,tbougbmedlatlonbytbeSon,
andlncatnatlon, wesballsee,mayextendltsbandtotblsanalogy, ot
evensbakebandswltblt) .8ybutnlngaslf byltselftedexlvely) ,tbedame
toucbesandlndames,ttansltlvely) .ltlsaslfonebadtostattftomhteto
tblnktbetoucblngofsstoucblng,andnottbeopposlte.
ltwouldnotonlybeftomhtebutftomdames,slncellgbtlstbej olnt
meanlngofwbatlstbusmote tban ahgute~allgbttbatself-toucbes,
tbetefote,andtoucbesltselfandus,andtbatwecantoucb.8uttblsbap-
tlcalllgbtofself-consumlngdameseludeswotsblpltdoesnotdwel|,as
anlmagetobeadoted.ltlstbettutbofallgbtwltboutldo|sandlcons,an
lconoclastlcllgbt~andltsdamespontaneouslybutnsdownegles.Tbat
lswbywesaldltls motetbanah gute, tatbeta ttanshgutatlon ofhg-
uta|ltyltselfToucblng, tblslumlnoustoucblng,becomesnatutallymote
lconoclastlctbanvlslon. ltesencewltboutlmageandwltboutteptesen-
tatlon, Cbttlencallstbls|umlnoslty,lbld. , p.r ;z) .Nowondettbattbls
ha/s/sgs/icsoftbed ame-lfonecanputlttbatway-lntetsects,some-
tlmeslltetally,wltblevlnas'sdlscoutseabouttbecasss ,lntlmateptox-
lmltytbatnevetbecomespossesslon, nakedexposltlontotbeungtasp-
ab|e, andsoon)
Tbls ls, lndeed,wbatlmmedlatelyfol|owstbepassagej ustquoted.Hete
lstbedesb, tben, tbedesbltse|wbatlscalledtbedesb, tbatwblcbcal|s
fottbeCbtlstlancasss, andCbtlstlan/ss, andCbtlstlanchai/,andwe
badtutnedtowatdtblsd esbfotsucba|ongtlme,evenwblleteadlngdls-
coutsesontbedesbwboselntentlonsweteevldentlynotCbtlstlan ,wltb
Met|eau-lontyotltanckattbetopoftbellst)~d esb towblcbon|y
tbetbougbtoflove. . . glves. . . a|lltsspltltua|cbatge .
Whatismostuecessatyiscontingenc,itsell, iu theetymologicalseuseolthe
tetm-thevetycoutactltomwhetetheetetualhashollight c/air sptiugs
lotth,ltomwhichallissuspeudedaudalldepeuds
Oulythethoughtollove,howevet,givesheshallitsspititualchatge,aud
leadstouchtoitshighestpossibility. ludeed,ltomtheh uitetotheiuhuite,a
coutiuuitybteaksup,yieldiugtoauiucteasiuglylotceluldiscoutiuuity,audall
tesemblauceoutishesiuaueveumotel umiuousdissimilatity. Coutactwith
Exsm/aS/sisss/hsF/ssh"
the|uh uiteisuecessatilyolauotdetthatisdilleteutltomcoutactwiththeh-
uite. ,ibid. , QQ. i,i-,z)
Despltetblsdlscontlnulty,anddespltetblsttanscendenceoftbelnhnlte,
anddespltetblsaoyssaldlRetencebetweenhnlteandlnhnltetoucblng,tbe
lattetannounces|tselfa/sadlntbefotmet.Andtblstbeo-teleologlcala/-
sadopensup attbesametlmetbeexpetlenceofaci/ica/toucb,tbe one
teacblngbeyondldollzedlmages,andtbeexpetlenceofas/s/ingtoucb,
wblcbexposesltselftowbatalteadyexceedslt.lnbotbcases,tbetelsanex-
petlenceof sssncs, butaptesencewltboutteptesentatlon. Toucblngun-
teptesentableptesence.lsn'ttblsultlmatelytbeoestdehnltlonoftoucblng
lngenetal`8utlwondetlfwecansaytbls,aslamtemptedtobelleve)and
aosttacttblsdehnltlonftomtbetbeo-teleologlcalalteadytbatlj ustmen-
tlonedtodesctlbCbttlen'sgestute.8uttoucb,Cbttlengoesontosay,
lnand ofltsownhnlteness,lspteclselyalteadyopentoaptesencewltb-
outlmageandwltboutteptesentatlon, aswellastoan lntlmateptoxlmlty
tbatnevetbecomespossesslon,andto anexposutenakedtotbeungtas-
pable. Ofwbatltoucbandwbattoucbesme, tbeexcessovetmelsend-
lesslyattestedlntbecatess.Aqulnas. . . ,lbld. ,p. i;z) .
To tbedlstlnctlonoetweenmsdia/sandimmsdia/s,ltlsalwaysmedlate
catnal toucblng, always lmmedlatespltltual toucblng) , tbenoetween s-
sxisotsssi//sand /ansi/is,toucblngls always ttansltlve,wbetbetot
notltlsatedexlveself-toucblng) ,westlllneedtoaddatbltddlstlnctlon,
tbatbetweenscsci/andnsnscisci/.Aqulnasnodoubtacceptstbat
pbyslcaltoucblngcanbeteclptocalotnonteclptocalbetweencteatutes,oe-
tweencteatedtblngsotpetsons.8utcontactbetweenGodandtbesoulot
mlndofbumanscanonlyoemutual,ma/aascsn/ac/as) ,atleastlntbegta-
cloustactllltyoflove.Andsucb,moteovet,lstbevetyessenceoftblsCbtls-
tlanlovlng_aimancs .lmmedlatettansltlvlty, dlssymmetty~andteclptoc-
lty.AqulnassaysNowGod. . . toucbestbesoul,/angi/animam) ,causlng
gtace ln lt.. . . 8ut tbe buman soul ln some sense toucbes God ,/angi/
Dsam)byknowlngHlmotlovlngHlm. lnaway, Cbttlenconcludes,
tbetelslndeedama/aascsn/ac/as,lbld. , p.;z) .
Lven lfltdoes not lnanywayslgnlsymmetty, tbls pattlculattecl-
ptocltywouldnodoubt,tblstlme,beunacceptablelnadlscoutsesucbas
levlnas's, lfnotln|udalsm lngenetal, becauseoftbetoucblngandbe-
causeoftblsmutuallyasexpetlenceoftbedlvlne
lsonedeallngbetewltbamystlcalotecstatlctactlllty`Cbttlendlsputes
tbat sucb mlgbtoetbe dltectotlentatlon oftbls passagelnAqulnas's

Iangsn/l
Disa/sdass/isnssna/h. utbeconcludes-andwecanfeel tbatbe
doesnotminddoingit-witbtemindetsofsomeadmitabletextsbySaint
8onaventuteotespeciallySaint|obnoftbeCtoss,tbegteatestCbtistian
mysticspeakingoftbesenseoftoucb. lottbelattet,Godstoucb,/sqas
ds/a Diinidad) isasubstantial toucb tbatis, oftbesubstanceofGod
intbesubstanceoftbesoul. `
TbemysticalecstasytbatIhsLiingF/amssLssdesctibestbusj usti-
hes tbenonhguteoftbed ame, tbe hetilyindamed ttanshgutationj ust
mentioned.ltgatbetstbevetybeattoftbemattetintbelastpagesofCbt-
tien'sbookLus/s/hsnss,htst,becauseitagainleadstotbeband,tbe
bandofmansssndingotcssssndingtotbe bandofGod towbicb
tefetencewastiskedinconcludingoutteadingofMainede8itanandRa-
vaisson,andsecond,because,byidentiingtbisbandofGodwitbbisSon
andtbeWotd,bybandingovetspeecbtotbisband,asitwete-givingita
givenwotd,adonatingandotdainingwotd-itsummonsbotbtbeeatand
tbeeye,tbatis,tbetotalityofdesb, totbesamebeating.llesb, toucb-
ingandtoucbed,totbebeatt,giveseatandlistens.ltisabaptologyoftbe
beatt, ofanopenbandedbeatt, open-beattedband,tbetoucbofdivine,
hsa//ms. tbeeyelistens,tbeeatlistens,desblistens-andbutnsup
allbutdyingtolisten,docilely. lttespondsto tbiswotdofexcesswitba
song.TbisLsgssdictatestbelastwotdsinLus/s//a snss.
Themetcilulhandolthelathet,withwhichhethustouchesus,istheSon.
TheteloteitistheWotdthatisthetouchthattouchesthesoul,e/toqaeqae
tocaa/a/ma) .'To bethustouchedbytheWotd,inonesvetysubstance,be-
yondanyimage,isptopetlytolisten, tolistenwithone'swholebeing,body
andsoul,withoutanythinginusthatmighteludethisheatingandstayout-
sideolit,bywayolthegtaciousttanshgutationthatthisvetytouchachieves.
Lats ate notalone inlistening, eyes do it too, and theytespond. 8ut itis
lastlybytakingtootinthetotalityol eshthattheyateabletodo it. llesh
listens, andlisteninginthiswaymakesittespond. Saint|ohnoltheCtoss,
whotediscovetedthevigotolbiblicallanguage,doesdesctibehowthissu-
petnatutaltouchcanshineandglotithebody-glotithebodyinitsen-
titety. . . . Davidsays,H//m, /ones ai//sa, Cod ahois /ike a, ls.
,|. io) . Whenthewholebodyshinesandbutnsltomthisdivinecontact,it
tutnsintosongandWotd,butwhatitsings-ltomitswholesell,whichthe
Othethasgathetedandcollectediswhatitcannotsay,whatexceedsitin-
h nitely, andthisexcess,towhich touch itsellisdestined,has beenopenlot
uslotevethete,inthehumblestolsensationsandtheslightestcontact.,ibid. ,
pp. i,,,|)
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
,Tbeband oftbe latbet, tben, tbe bandwltb wblcbbetoucbesus, ls
tbelogos andlstbeSon. Tbls passagefol|owsadlscoutseontbecasss
Cbttlencannotbe cettalntbatAqulnasgave lt amystlcalsense.Mote-
ovettbewotdcatess, asCbttlenpenslt,comestottanslateandlntet-
ptetAqulnas'scsn/ac/asma/aas,andaltbougbCbttlen'suseoftbewotd
lslegltlmate,ltwouldbedlfhculttoneuttallzelt) .Tbls movement, ftom
tbecatess totbeSon, lsalsosometblngtbatwebavefollowedwltbcu-
tlosltyanduptoapolntlnlevlnas.ltlsnottbesameSon,tobesute,al-
tbougb eacbtlme,lnblsascent,lnbotblevlnas andCbttlen,bebeats
tbelnltlalcapltallettetofaptopetnamelntbeslngu|at-tbeSon, tbe
llnetofo|low,lntbedltectlonlndlcatedeatllet.)
! d
lputposelystattedattbeend,wblcbl stosay,wltbtbespltltualtoucb,
tbeonetbatnolongetptesentsanymedlumotdlstanceandlsnomote
oftbeotdetofaRectlontbanauto-aRectlon,buttbatlsa|sotbeoneto
wblcbonlytbetbougbtofloveglvesal|ltsspltltualcbatge. entbe
bandofmancottespondswltbtbebandofGodlntblsdlvlnecontact
wbetebydesbllstens, wbentbemetclfulbandoftbelatbetlstbelo-
gos ,of) blsSon, tbenlntetutnonebettetundetstandsbotbtbegenetal
economyoftbebook,tltledLs/s//a snss)andtbeloglcptopettolts
|astcbaptet, lecotpsetetoucbet ,Tbe 8odyandToucb) . lndeed, lt
openswltbtbeexpetlenceofecstasyandexcessetelooklngandbeat-
lng lntetsect, tbls expetlence ls attested and dellvets tbe sense oftbe
senses, tbecatnalnatuteoftbevolcetbatltselfptesupposes tbedesbof
outwbolebody. CbttlenptoposesmanytblngstbatHussetl,aswete-
call,wou|dbavedeemedequallyftlvolousandmetapbotlcalotbetetlcalfot
pbenomenologyas atlgotoussclence.Andln fact,aswe sball see,ltlsa
cettaln pbenomenologytbat Cbttlen dlsputeswltb, even wblle ca|llng
uponlttespectful|y. Lyesllstenandvolceslookon,ecstatlcally.Tbesense
oftbesenseslstbeexcessofsense,glvlngltselfonlytbtougbtbewotdand
wltblnlt.Now,tbetelsnovolceexceptacatna|volce,andoutwbo|ebody
lswbatltptesupposes lnotdettobewbatltls,andwbat,lntetutn, tbe
volcemakeslntoltsmoutbpleceandtbuslntotbeblgbestmanlfestatlonof
spltlt,lbld. ,p. ror) .
Howcanself-feellng,wblcbtbtougbsuRetlngotpleasutecbatactetlzes
tbetactllebody, lntbewldestacceptlonoftbewotd, open ttanstlvely
ontoexcessotecstasy`TblslstbeplacefottbeneededtetutntoAtlstotle
andtbecommonplacefotalltbeapotlaswantlngasolutlon, ontbesub-
j ectofasense,tbesenseoftoucb,wblcbbastegulatlybeencbatactetlzed,
Iangsn/l :
witbtbebelpofagteatnamoetoftefetencesandaatbotites,astbemost
fundamentalandunivetsal,ioid. , pp. ro
)
|,rr:, i:
/
:),r
))
) , tbecom-
monestone , pp. r o|rr), andtbasalsotbemostanhndaole , p. o),
tbebypetoolicsense, p. r r)) . Tbehnalcbaptet'sptogtamandptoolem-
aticateinfactalteadycleatlyannouncedintbeoook'sinttodaction.
Attbispoint,tatbettbanteconstitutingtbelineatpatboftbiscbaptet's
ticb complexity,altboagbtbeteadetis invitedtodoso,andmotetban
once) ,letmettytodeh neafewedgesinstead-tbeonesseemingattbe
sametimetocallfotsomequestioningandtositaatesomepattitionsand
dividinglines,ftomoatpointofview.A always,tbeyatetbepattinglines
tbatotingoneclosetoNancy'scsasand depattftomitallat once, at
leastintbeteadingptoposedbete.
r.Tbeendofanimmsdia/sspititualtoucb,fall,andtbetefoteintuitive,
witboutmediamotdistance,andwitboataffectionotauto-affection,is
indeedwbatappeatsto otientevetytbing,mss/hss/sgics s//s/ss/sgics) .
Tbisplenitudeofbapticalimmediacybas motetbanonce oeenidentihed
astbepoleofallmetapbysicaintaitionism,oeitftomtbeoatsetanopti-
calintuitionism.Tbisimmediateplenitadeofbapticalfalh llmentisoftbe
otdetoftbeinni/s,tbeCbtistianizationofAtistotle's pate act) . Yet in
otbetpatts,andconsistentlyoefoteteacbingtbisconclasion,Cbttienon
tbeconttatyinsistsonmediacy, intetvals,veils,anda|ltbespacingsofin-
tetposition,andsofottb,andtbetefotewebavetoassumetbatbeistben
speaklngoftbehnitetoucbingofcteatutesintoucbwitbhniteoeings.let
meciteafewexamplesoftbis. ltomtbeoeginning,infollowingAtisto-
tle, Cbttienpatstbeaccentonaveiling, ptopettotbesenseoftoacb,
wbicbconcealsitsownconditionsofexetciseandptoducesevetytbeotet-
icalptejadiceconcetningit. Sincetbeteisnotoucbingwitboatanintet-
val,ahlm, amemotanetbatkeepstbeskinapattftomtbings,andtbat
weatenotfeeling ioid. , p io ) andsincetbis intetpositionslipsaway
-well,mediationmeetswitboolivionandptoducesani//assoeliefin
immediacyofcontact.Tbisillusionisalsotbeillasionofpbenomenology
castingasbadow, intbiscase,insteadofsbowingofTbetbeoteticalet-
totoftbosewboboldtbesenseoftoucbtooeimmediateteliesonitsown
pbenomenologicaloccaltation. . . . ltejadicesaooattoacbateotdetedin
keepingwitb itsownveiling /ssagssa/s /sachss'sdsnnsn/ssn
sssi/smsn/ ,ioid. ) . Tbesenseoftoacbwotksoywayofsometbing
tbeintetposedveil-|. D. tbat temains antoucbaole. lnpbenomena,
z;| Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
tbetefote, tbete lsanlntetnalvelllng ,lbld. , p. r) .

Tbls spontaneous
velllngletstoucbsllpftomstandatdpbenomenology,ltlsaboutamedl-
atlzedsenseoftoucbtbatcanbenotblngbutbuman,sensltlve,andhnlte,
aswebaveseen, andnotdlvlneandspltltual. lotanaccesstospltltual
and lmmedlatetoucb, ltlsnecessatyall atoncetoovetcomeAtlstotle's
apotlasandleatnbowtoseeottblnkandattalnanotbetpbenomenology
ofecstasyandmystlcallove.TbatlstbetaskCbttlenasslgnsblmselfbe-
fote tbls htst developmentabout tbevelllngoftoucb otlts htstpbe-
nomenologlcal occultatlon. We mustleatn agaln bowto see-agalnst
tblsoccultatlon.tetbesej ustlntetnalquandatleslnAtlstotle'stblnklng,
pattaklngofabadposltlonlngoftbequestlons-otdotbesedlfhcultles
baveafoundatlonlntbetblngstbemselves` Doestoucbltselfsllpaway
ftomltselfbyltselfln tegatdtotblnklng,otlsltj ustwewbodonotknow
bowtosee,wblcbwouldonlytellaboutoutselves _csqainusndai/qas
sansasmcmss ,lbld. , p. i;) .
l notbetwotds.bellevlngtbatbumantoucblng,ottbathnltetoucblng
lngenetal)lslmmedlatelsaptejudlce,atbeotetlcalettot,ctedullty-and
elsewbete Cbttlen alsomentlonstbellluslonofltslmmedlacy ,lbld. ,
p. r|/) . Tbegeneslsoftblsctedulltymaybetbemostwldespteadpbllo-
sopblcalnavet,andwecouldaccountfotltbyanalyzlngtbevetysttuc-
tuteofvelllnglnlts ptopetness andlntetvalllclntetposltlon,wblcbate
pattoftactlleexpetlence. 8yconttast, tbls lmmedlacynolongetcotte-
spondstoatbeotetlcalptejudlce,ctedullty, otpbllosopblcalnavet-ltls
no longetan lluslon-as soon as lnhnltetoucblng, ma/aascsn/ac/as
wltb God,lsatlssue.Tbete,lntetvalllclntetposltlonlsnomote. Lssen-
tlally, excellently, ltlstblsimmsdia/s, lnhnlte,spltltualtoucbtbatwould
teacbusto/hin/wbat/sachingmeanstosay,lnttutb,andcallonustodo
so. lsn'tltsolely/ ana/sgywltbtblsma/aascsn/ac/astbatwelntetptet
bumanothnltetoucblng,andtbenfotgettbelntetvalandglvelntolllu-
slon` lmmedlacyls tbeabsolutettutb ofdlvlnetoucblng, tbebandof
God, blslncatnatlonlnlogosottbeSon's desb-andtbetefoteofcs-
a/isn and tbe act ofcteatlng,butlt lsatbeotetlcalettot, anllluslon
botnftompbenomenologlcaloccultatlonlntbecaseofbumanothnlte
toucblnglngenetal-andtbetefotelntbecaseoftbecsa/as.
z. Accotdlngto lts standatdlntetptetatlon,pbenomenologyofpetcep-
tlonwouldtbetefotebelgnotantabout/s/htbevelllngandtbeptejudlces
tbatltgenetatesontbesubjectoftbesenseoftoucb'sallegedlmmedlacy.
nsn/l 2] ]
Tbehnltenessofbumanllvlngcltcumsctloeslt,asapbenomenologyof
ac/ionandaa/o-ac/ion,wbatttuetoucblng,spltltualotdlvlnetoucb-
lng,wblcblsptopet,lnhnlte,aosolutelyttansltlve,lsnot) .Asapbenome-
nologyoftbecteatute,otmotepteclselytbefallencteatute,lockedupon
ltselfltsbouldoedlsputed,otattbevetyleastsavedftomltself,ovetcome,
ttanscendedtowatdtbeautbentlcimmsiacofspltltualtoucblng,wltb-
outmedlumotdlstance) , tbatls,towatdltslnhnlte,excesslvesutplus.
8utoncemote,pteclselyoyteasonoftbema/aascon/ac/as,wemustnot
taketbelncatnateWotdotlnhnltelogos,tbebandofGod-ottbe
Son) , to wblcb tbls spltltual and lnhnlte toucb cottesponds ,wltbout
medlumotdlstance) , tooe,lnltsexcessotlnhnltettanscendence,slm-
plyssaa/sftombumanhnltenessandltsvelledotmedlatlzedtoucblng
logosglvesusaslgnoftbeband.logos,wblcbCbttlenalwaysttanslates
astbeWotd _ss] -andlwondetwby.tbetelsmucbtosayaoouttbls
bete) ,wblcblstosay,tbebandoftbemetclfullatbet,wblcblstosay, tbe
Son. lncatnatlon ls tbls slgn oftbe band. Tbls slgn oftbe band oftbe
latbet-and-tbe-Sonlsannouncedlntbeexcellenceoftbebandofman
pteclselywbetebetoucbesotletsblmselfoetoucbedoywbatmakesOne
bete, tbatls, logos-tbe-Hand-of-tbe-Metclful-latbet-tbe-Son. Andtbls
slgnoftbeglvlngbandcomesagalnftomtbebeatt~tbefotglvlng,met-
clfulbeatt,tbesactedbeatt.
Tbeelementoftblsdlscoutse,callandtesponse) lslndeedtbelo-
gos's,anantbtopo-tbeo- oicalogos's.lncatnatlonlntotbed esbofaGod
maklngblmselflntoMan.logos~alsokownastbeSon~callsonman,
onman's tesponseandtesponslolllty, evenlfmanlsneltbettbelogos's
otlgln notltsownet. ` logosmakes ltselfknowntoMan, as doesGod's
Handtoman'sband.ltfollowstbat, lnsplteofCbttlen'slnslstenceon
velllng,medlacy, andtbeptejudlcesmaklngonetakefotgtantedtbelm-
medlacyofbumantoucblng,tbetltelessandalltooclasslcalptalseoftbe
bandofmanandtbeexcellenceofbuman tactlllty, wblcbwe can tben
tead,wlllcomeasnosutptlse.Cbttlenlnvokesnumetoustextsftomtbe
ttadltlonlnotdetto oeatwltnessattbesametlmetotblssupetlotltyof
buman tactllltyand to wbatputs lttlgbtwltbtbebandltsel Most of
tbeseptonouncementsaoouttbeexcellenceofbuman toucblngateex-
ptesslylnsctloedwltblntbeAtlstotellanttadltlon-motepteclsely,wltbln
Atlstotellanteleologybeteandtbetetelayedoyltsbelts,moteotlessdl-
tectotdeclated.Tbesenseoftoucblstbeonlyonepettalnlngtoallanl-
matellvlngbelngs,butattbesametlmeAtlstotleptoclalmsltsexcellence
i
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
andltssupetlotltylnbumans. man lsatactlleoelng,blsvetybumanlty
dependsonlt,lold. , p.r r
)
) .
Wbatlsptopetlyman's, namely, tbeband,onceagalncottespondsto
tblsexcellenceoftbebumansenseoftoucb. Howlsonetodesctloeand
specltblsexcellenceofbumantoucblng`Tbeband,ptopettoman,nat-
utally comes to mlnd because oflts extteme tactlle sensltlvlty and lts
powettodlsctlmlnateand explote, to sucb adegteetbatsome tblnkets
makelttbeptlvllegedotganoftoucb ,lold. , p. ii
)
) .
Altbougbtblngsmanaa/andhamanaa/)ateo n apatbete,as tbeyso
oftenate,altbougbtblsteleologlcalexcellenceofbumantoucblnglsmost
oftenemoodledlntbeband,altbougbtbebandlstbevetytblngltself
tbatmostoftenextendsoetweenbumantoucblnganddlvlne toucblng
,oetweentbebandofmanand,ontbeotbetslde,tbemetclfulbandof
tbelatbet .logosandtbeSon,tbeWotdtbatlstbeSon) ,Cbttlenbas
toaccountfotafacttbatbedeemssutptlslnganddlsconcettlng.tbougb
Atlstotlebas, ln unfotgettaolepages, medltatedontbeessenceoftbe
bumanband, beseemsnottoglveanypattlculattoletotbebandln
tbeexcellenceoftbesenseoftoucb. ltoebooves ustonote, Cbttlen
wtltes,tbatAtlstotledoesnotputtbepetfectlonoftbebumanbanddl-
tectlyandexptesslylntelatlonwltbtbepetfectlonofbumantoucblng
,lold , pp. ii
)
r|) .
, WeestaollsbedsometblnganalogouslnRavalsson.tbeAtlstotellanas-
cendant upon bls pbllosopby petbaps spated blm tbls connectlon be-
tweentbeexcellenceofbumantoucblngandtbeband'spowet,wblleby-
passlng Malnede8ltan'scompetlnglnduence,atleastontblspolnt. 8ut
wealsoestaollsbedtbattblsdlscutslve economytemalnedsupethclaand
lnnowayj eopadlzedbls calltotbelawofgtace andtbeptevenlent
gtaceofadlvlneband. ) `
AtoundtblsdlsconcettlngsllenceontbepattofAtlstotle,atatbetln-
tetestlngandsuotledlscusslonfeedsonnumetousbypotbesesbeedfully
glvlngeattoGalenotKant.ltstattsoutdutlnganlnventotyoftbe/hss
ways lnwblcbtbe senseoftoucbls anissa/ ,lltst, tbe wayoftoucblng
lscommontoa|lanlmatellvlngbelngs,second,tblswayextendsneatly
totbewboleoody, otlnanycasetoalldesb~twosufhclentteasonsfot
Atlstotlenottolnslstsomucbonbands,tbltd,tbewayoftbetoucbedot
tbetanglolecovetstbewbole heldoftbesenslole.We seektbeptlnclples
Iangsn/l z;/
oftbesensloleoody tbatls, oftbetanglole,saysAtlstotle. ) utwbatwlll
detalnusbetelntbehtstplacelstbat,aslnRavalsson'sloglc,j usttecalled,
tbls ,telatlve) sllence aooat tbe band h nds ltselflnvestedwltb an even
gteatetspltltaalotteleologlcalpowetattbesetvlceofanendtbatlsplaced
evenblgbet~an ovetold fot tbeband.Atlstotlekeeps sllentaoouttbe
tactlle band ,otaboattbedlgltal toucb dsi ) , and tbls ls oecause be
puts ltevenblgbetltmayoetbattbebandlsanotganofotgans tbat
canoecomeanytblngoecaaseltlsnotblng,andlntbatwaylsllketbe
soul ,lold. , p.) .`Wbenbetbenwondetswbattomakeoftblssllence
aoouttbefeellngofhngets _dsi andwbetbetltlsnecessatytospeak
uplnAtlstotle'splace, asGalendld, Cbttlenalso seemsteadyto ac-
knowledge tbls sllence as beavlly loaded wltb a sttong pbllosopblcal
meanlngtbat lnvltes tbougbtsofasenseoftoucbwltboutotgans, ln a
sensestllltooedetetmlned,lold. , p. r ;) .
, Hete,tblswltboutotgansopenlysetvesatblnklngof Cbtlstland esb.
lttemlnds usofa ttadltlonfollowlng _Antonln} Attaud~and compll-
catedtelaysaftetblm-tbatwesbouldnottoobastllyandslmplyj udge
tobefotelgntotbeCbtlstlanbody,nomattetbowostlleltptetendsto
oe. utletusleavetblsasldefottbetlmeoelng.)
Tbelntetest,tbesttongpbllosopblcalmeanlngtbatCbttlenseemsto
expectftomtblssllencelnAtlstotle ,notaoouttbeband'sptlvllege, of
wblcbAtlstotle speaks eloquently, oat aoout tbe band as tbe otgan of
toucb) , ls tbat tbls appatent avoldance tbls tlmelnfact opens onto a
tblnklngoftbeunlvetsalltyofd esb.lotlfbumantoucblngonlyfoandlts
teptesentatlonlnanotgan,tbeband,otlntbeh nenessandtactlleexcel-
lenceoftbeband,andtbefeellnglntbehngets,tbenonewouldbaveto
glveaponeoftbetbteeunlvetsalltlesoftbesenseoftoucb,tbeonetbat
makes ltcoextenslvewltb desb lngenetal oyextendlngltto tbewbole
oody. ``Onewouldtbusmlss/hsqass/isns ssh, otatleasttemalnunac-
qaalntedwltbltslmmensedlmenslon.Andltlsattblspteclsepolnt~on
tbesamepage,ltblnk-tbatCbttlen'swboleptoolematlclaysltselfout.
ltomablstotlcalpolntofvlew,ltanswetsatatbetcomplexsttategy,wblcb
somemlgbtcalldevloas. On /hs snshand ltdealswltb cbanglng, yet
keeplng,Atlstotle,andwltb cbtlstlanlzlng~lwon'tsayconvettlng-and
modetnlzlngblm, too,lnotdettootlentblm,oywayofAqulnas, we
baveseen,towatdamodetnCbtlstlantblnklngofdesb,tbeMetclfulla-
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
tbet,andbls Handwblcbtoucbesus,tbatls,lncatnatlon,ottbeWotdbls
Son, andsofottb. 8utslmultaneously, andsn/hss/hshand ltlsneces-
satytotelyupon/hisAtlstotle,andAqulnas,andtben|obnoftbeCtoss,
andh tstofallontbelt/ansi/iism, lnotdettogoagalnstotbeyondan-
otbetmodetntblnklngofdesbtbatlspbenomenologlcallnklnd.Tbe
lattettblnklngls deemedtoo tedexlve, natclsslstlc, self-centeted, ottoo
centetedonltsh nlteness,bencetbequestlontbatCbttlenasksblmselfaf-
tetwondetlngaboutAtlstotle'ssllence . Doestoucblng,wblcbconstl-
tutesanlmalllfe,dellvetupdesb,leavlngltonltsowntofeelltself`Does
anycontlnultyexlstbetweentbeAtlstotellanconceptofdesbandltscon-
tempotatyconcept,wblcblnslstsonltsquasl-tedexlvlty-otontbecon-
ttaty,sbouldonesepatatetbemtadlcally`Toucblnglstbep|aceoftblsde-
clslvequestlon,lbld. , p. ;) .
Tbetblnklngofdesbwantsaband,andhtstofallGod'sband,butone
a|sobastoknowbowtodowltbouttbebandofman,otalmbeyondlt
lnanycaseTbenonebastocomebackftomlta|l-andtblslslncatna-
tlon, tblslsd esb-lnotdettotecelvetbebandofmanftom God. Tbe
questlontbencomesback,butpetbapslackstbetlmetodwellasaques-
tlonlntblsdwelllng,andltcomestoaskltself, andcomesdowntoask-
lngoneselfwbetbettbequestlonlsptopetlyfotmulated,tbatls, fotmed
lnahttlngmanns.wbatlsaband`Wbatatebands`Wbatglvestbeband
lts belngaband`Motepteclsely. ahsglvestbebandlts belngaband`
Wbooffetsaband`
). lundamentally,tblsquestlonbasfollowedustelentlesslyslncetbebe-
glnnlng.Cbttlendoesnotputlt,otat|easta/ica//si/ assach,buttbls
sllencelsnotnecessatl|yunjustlh ed.Towboevetmlgbtbetemptedtosay
to blm. llnally, tbeonlybandtbatweknow,see,andtoucb,andabout
wblcbwecancometoanundetstandlngbypoo|lngoutfundofcommon
sense-lltetal|y,wltboutanymetapbot-lstbebandofman,manssensl-
ble,h nlteband,andasfotyou,youateuslngasa/s/i/a/isgaswben
youspeakoftbebandofGod' andwbenyouteadllyaccepttbatadls-
coutseabout ,lntultlve, absolute, lmmedlate, full, wltboutmedlum' ot
dlstance')toucblnglstuledaccotdlngtoGod'sbandandnotman's,and
sofottb, Cbttlenmlgbttespondlntwomannetsatleast,followlngtwo
typlca|atguments. lltst,be couldtefet ,exptessly, ln awaytbatbe does
not)totbeAtlstotellandlscoutse,abouttbeptopet, tbeactual,andpo-
tency,butespeclallyaboutanalogy)tbatgtaduallymakestbebandofman
Ingsn/l z )
apptoxlmate-andbevlttuallyana/sgsaswltb-tbebandptopetlyspeak
lng,God'sband,abandtbatlsttulytoucblngandtoucbed, tblstlme,as
wellasknowlng,actuallyall-powetful,aswellaslntelllgentandlntelllglble
-tbebandwetemembetlntbeabsolutetoucblngofputeactuallty, put-
tlngnsaslnlmmedlatecontact,wltboutmedlumotdlstance) wltbtbe
ns/sn.Andtbe/sgssoftblsanalogycouldalsobave,asltoftendoes,tbe
meanlngofss/isna/s/a/isn. Second, Cbttlen could alsotefet ,ex
ptessly, ln awaytbatbe does not) to tbe lmmense exegetlcal ttadltlon
deallngwltb hgutes, so as to tutn common senseatound and bandlly
demonsttatetbattbetelsattopetbetebecausetbebandofmanls,fotlts
patt, notblngbutah guteofGod'sband,andtbelattet'sptopetsensels
glven,fotglvlng,andglvlnglnlncatnatlon,Ttansubstan:latlon,lasslon,
andespeclally,petbaps,lnCtuclhxlon.
8utCbttlenbasnoneedtountltbeseatgumentswltbtbeltdetouts,
wblcbwouldbelongandlabotlous, becauseltblnk-tbeyatefolded
andlnvolvedlnanappatentlymoteeconomlcalfotm.tbetelsnobandin
gsnsabefoteman'sotGod'sband.Tbequestlonftomwblcbweseemed
tostatt , WbatatebandsWbatls abandWbatdoes band mean to
say) couldbebadlyfotmulated, notonly-aswecouldputfotwatdeacb
tlmewespeakofmetonymlesandsubstltutlons-bcausebands,hngets,
andsexesbavedeputlesandteplacementslnsomanyhgutes,butbecause
-asCbttlenwouldtatbetputlt-outpteundetstandlngoftblswotd,
tbeband, lnvolves atleasttbe/ansi/isabllltyto toucbandknow,and
tbetefotetoptesent,makeptesent,glve,andglveanactuallntultlonoftbe
ptesent ,alwaysofsometblngelseototbettosomeoneelseototbet,even
lftblsptesentatlonalsoptesentsltselftoltsel andsofottb) .Oftbesetles
ofquestlonslptoposedandllstedeatllet,onlytbequestlonwbo, vhs
glvesblsotbetbandIahsm)wouldbelegltlmateandmeanlngful, tbat
ls,pettlnent,lntbelastanalysls. lotltlssolelylnspltltualtoucblngasdl
vlnetoucblngtbatalltbeseptedlcateshndtbemselvesactuallygatbeted,ln
anlnhnlte,andtbusfullandlmmedlatefotm,wltboutspaclng ,wltbout
medlumotdlstance) .
Ias /ans/a/isns, tben, ate sufhclentlysatlslng. Tbls does not mean
self-satlshed,facllesufhclency, notamannetofmanlpulatlon,buttatbet
tbe blgbest, mostelevatedexlgency-tbemost tespectable one, l would
say, andmatktbat,befotelt,tbesametespectalsodemandssomevlgllance.
A. Fis/ /ans/a/isn. lt ls sufhclent at htst to ttanslate Atlstotle lnto
Aqulnas.8etweenout:woeatlletquo:atlons,Cbttlenensutedtbemedl-
zo Exsm/aS/sisss/hs F/ssh"
atlon,wblcblstosaytbemedlatlonbetweentbemedlateandtbelmmedl-
ate-wbatanlncatnatlonalwaysls.Wblletblsspltltualtoucbnolonget
ptesentsanymedlumotdlstancewblle, asputeact, ltlsnolongetoftbe
otdetofaRectlon,wblleunllkecatnaltoucblng,wblcblsalwaysmedlate,
ltlstotallylmmedlate,ltlsnevettbelessunfalllnglyttansltlve.yactually
toucblngtbelntelllglbletbatltlsltselspltltetetnallyaccedestoltselfand
ttanslts ftomltselftoltsel ltbecomeswbatlttoucbesandas lttoucbes
,lbld. , p. ;) .
. Sscsnd/ans/a/isn.ltlstbensufhclenttottanslateAqulnas lnto|obn
oftbeCtoss Tblstoucbdlvlnetoucb,/sqasds/aDiinidad

lsasub-
stantlaltoucb, tbatls, oftbesubstanceofGodlntbesubstanceoftbe
soul. ' lttakesp|acewltboutanylntellectualotlmaglnatlvesbapeothg-
ute. ' Tbemetclful bandoftbelatbet,'wltbwblcbbetbustoucbesus,ls
tbeSon.TbetefoteltlstbeWotdtbatlstbetoucbtbattoucbestbesoul'
,s//sqasqas/scaa/a/ma) . . . Tbedesbllstens,lbld. ,p. ;)
) .
Wltboutanysbapeot hgute, tben. Tbehgutatlonoftbehgutevan-
lsbes,asdoestbelmageftomtbelmaglnaty. God'sbandlsnolongetahg-
utatlon.Onebandstbebandofmanlnpasslng,onecomestopasstbtougb
lt-tbeacceptlngandllstenlngband-butonelmmedlatelypassesltand
doeswltboutlt.lntbevetypassageltselTbebandofGodlstbebandln
tbeptopetsense, beyondanylcon, ldol, otbumanttopologlcs.Moteovet,
bumantoucblng,lnltsvetyhnlteness,lnltsmedlacy, couldalteadyaccede
totbls-totblsptesencewltboutlmage. let'steadltagaln.uttoucb,
lnandofltsownhnlteness,lspteclselyalteadyopentoaptesencewltbout
lmageandwltboutteptesentatlon,aswellastoanlntlmateptoxlmltytbat
nevetbecomespossesslon,andtoanexposutenakedtotbeungtaspable.
Ofwbatltoucbandwbattoucbesme,tbeexcessovetmelsendlessly at-
testedlntbecatess,lbld. , p. ;z) .
Tbesttoklngbandtbatcatessesnolongetlsaptebenslleband,tben,ot
aknowlngone,but tatbetabandtbatlsexposed, glvlng, andacceptlng,
ltlstbebandofsalvatlon,tbeGod-watdgoodbyeband.`
Howcanonegoabouttbepassageftomtbeunhgutable,wblcblstosay,
tbebandofGodln ltsptopetsense, to tbehgute ofltshgutatlvesense,
wblcblstosay, tbebandofman`Howabouttbepassageftomspltltual
toucblng, wblcb ls lnh nlte and lmmedlate, wltbout medlum ot dls-
tance, fotmothgute,tocatnaltoucblng,wblcblsalwaysmediate`How
abouttbepassageftomtbelmmedlatetotbemedlate,andtbustod esb`
Iangsn/l
To alltbesequestlons,wblcbcomedowntotbesametblngandwblcbate
allquestlonsof assags, andtbetefoteofttansltlonandttansltlvlty, andhg-
uta|ttansfet,tbetelsbutoneanswet,ltseemstomepassage,lkelasslon,
lncatnatlon,Ttansubstantlatlon, Hocest enlm cotpus meum, andso
fottb, andtbemedlatlonbetweentbelnhnlte lmmedlateandtbehnlte
medlate,j ustas between lnhnlte andslngulat hnlte lngenetal, between
GodandMan. ltlslogosfasblonedlntodesb,tbeSon, tbeHandoftbe
Metcl|latbet.
Altbougbtbls lsdoubtlessalsovetlhable,lwon'ttepeatbete-tocon-
cludefottbetlmebelng, lntbeptecedlngcbaptets-tbattblsantbtopo-
tbeo/sgica/tblnklngofdesbdoesnotleaveanyspatetoomfotaquestlon-
lngoftecbnlcs ,ecotecbnlcs ottbe/schns/sdiss, to putltlnNancy's
tetms) , notoftbeanlmal,ottatbetanlmals,not oftbebomlnlzatlonpto-
cesstbatptoduceswbatlstetmedtbebandlnevetydaylanguage,notof
tbeposslbllltyofptostbetlcsontowblcbspaclnglngenetalopens,andso
fottb. ,Ttansplantatlonoftbebeatt,andeventbeSactedHeatt,lstbelo-
cusbeteofanotableexamp|e,butlsballdonomotetbanmentlonlt.)l
won'tput lttbatway, altbougbl belleve ltlsj ustso. lndeed,ltdoesseem
as lfevetytblnglnNancy's tblnklng aboutexsctlptlon and tbesyncope
eadsbacktowatdtblsspaclng,ltteduclb|eevenlntempotallzatlonltself) ,
wblcbCbttlenwouldteduceto tblspbenomenonofhnltude,andhnlte
desb tbat toucblngasslgns to tbelntetval, to medlatlzlnglntetposltlon,
andtotbemedlumanddlstancetbatspltltualtoucblng,wblcblslnh -
nlte,lmmedlate,etc.)wl|lbavehtstofalls/sa/sdanda/sdandsss
lndeed,Cbttlenmakestoomfotspaclng, aswellas fotevetytblngtbat
dependsonlt,butltlsahnlteplace,wblcbcanbetelleved, lntbeeleva-
tlonoflogosandlncatnatlon.Healsomakestoomfotsubstltutlon,tbat
ls,tbehgutatlonoftbeunhgutable,tbebandofman,tbebeattofman,and
sofottb.Andone could tblnkofsa/s/i/a/isnasdoeslevlnas ,tbougbbe
doesnot usetbls tetmlntbesameway) ,otlnamotelltetal|yCbtlstlan
way,asdoestbettadltlontbatleadsto _ louls] Masslgnon.Tbelasslonof
tbeSon,lncatnatlon,logos,Ttansubstantlatlon,lasslonatesubstltutlons
calllngfotSubstltutlonotlmltatlon,andlnacettalnmannet,bete,too,
tbetelsahsmini/isnptocess,butltlshnallyandalwaysalteadytbebom-
lnlzatlonofGod,tbeglhofaGodwbomakesblmselflntoMan,tbtougb
tbemedlatlonoftbeSonottbeWotd,andtbeHandoftbeMetclfulla-
tbet.Tblsbomlnlzatlonlsabumanlzatlonas/hs shisnofGod,accotd-
lngtotbelaceandtbeHandofGod,ltgoestbtougbtblsvetyCbtlstlan
Exsm/aS/sisss/hs /ssh''
deatbofGodofwblcbwespokeeatllet.Andsofottb.utCbttlenwlll
nevet ttanslate tbls substltutlon lnto any ptostbetlcs, ttansplantlng, ot
/sn-andespeclallynotlntoabeattttansplantatlon.Andtbougbtbete
maybesomespaclnglnlt,lncatnatlonwlllnevetbetbepbenomenonof
an ltteduclble h nltude, lt would nevet lend ltselfto tbougbt lnwbat
Nancytetmsahnltetblnklngfottbesenseoftbewotld.
Twowaysoftblnklngsubstltutlon,tbetefote,buttwotangentlalways
-tbougbno doubtlncompatlble. lt ls atatbetttoubllng, even dlzzylng,
duallty, andmayleadtotbetemptatlon-Temptatlonltself-tosubstl-
tuteonefottbeotbet
l canlmaglne, deslte, anddteadaswell,asamottalsln, tbeleastve-
nlal,petbapstbemostsetlousandleastexplableTemptatlon,becauseltls
tbellgbtest) ,tbatls,attemptlng,andlettlngoneselfbetempted,totblnk
substltutlonwltboutsactlhce.
Wbattbetewouldtemalntotblnklstbeplace,tbeplaclngoftblste-
placlng,ottbeneuttalspaclng,ch,lmlgbtsay) ,tbatwouldstlllextend
ltsbospltalltytotblsvlttualsubstltutlonofsubstltutlon,unlessltsbould
detalnltfotevetasabostage.
P / R | | |
Functuattons /nd ,ou.
I2 O scI-tOuch yOu
7uching-!cngucgc cnd thc Hccct
Aguldlngtbteadlstwlstlngalong. ltlsmoteotlessvlslblelntbecoutse
oftblslastpattofmyttajectoty.lt|scontalnedlntbteelettets,sometlmes
lesstbanawotd,andlsguldlngmecontlnually. ltwlllgotbtougbevety-
tblngllke tbe tenuous tbtead ofa polnt, a stltcbedpolnt, tbe dot ofa
punctuatlon,tbepunctuatlonofyou, aftetyou.
Anotbetwayofasklngoneself. bowabouttbe passageftomtoucblng
himtotoucblngsa You
Asfotbet,sbetemalns-evetextendedlnbetdeepsleep
llesbandbodyallatonce,acotpselnbetcofhnalteady, lsycbewlll
bavebadenougb tlme-letme notsaypatlencetowaltfot us along
tbesedetoutsandtangents. Sbebasalltbetlmelntbewotld,tblstlme
sbewlllbavebadlt,andsbekeepslt-befotebetandbeblndbet.
letustemembettbatbettesemblancetomote:banoneMaty-twoat
least-dustetedus,andtbequestlonoftoucbtbatsbeputtous,seduclng
usalteady, ftomtbedesbofbetbodyottbebodyofbetdesb,ftombet
deadlysleep,wasalwaysotneatlyalwaystbesamequestlon.amlCbtlstlan`
-Wbataboutyou`ltomwbetedoestblsbodycometous`
Tbeanswetlspendlng,anddesltesuspended.
Wbywouldtbequestlonoftoucbstlllbewltbotananswet-unbeatd
of, petbaps`Unbeatdof-llketbls otbet posslbllty ssssacs} , attbe
beattofCbtlstlanltyatoot ssnancs moteotglnal tbanCbtlstlanlty
ltself``
l
|
Panc/aa/isns ndsa"
Tbequestionisoneandmultiple,ttaditionalyetstillvitginal,asifun-
toucbed,lnspiteoftbeplowlngofpbllosopbetsandtbeologlans.lknew,
l tbougbtl badknownfotalongtime,tbatiftbeteisawotkoftbink-
ing today tbat measutes uptotbls, to tbls questlon, and actuallymea-
sutesltselfagalnstitastbeincommensutable,lnactsof languageandte-
dection, tben itisNancy's wotk, even wben it doesn't acknowledgeall
tbetefetencestbat bavej ustevoked,beglnningwitbAtistotle andtbe
Gospels. ltbougbtlbadknowntbisfotalongtime.To besute,aseatcb
,wbicb may bave been too basty) tbtougb a numbetofNancy's eatly
wotks-tougblyuntil tbemiddle oftbet,cs, andsttangelyincluding,
tbetefote,IhsExsisncssFssdsm-basbownustbatneitbettbe/hsms
nottbegasoftoucblays slege to bls discoutse, lnvests inlt, otabove
allinvadesit,aswillbetbecase-wecanestabllsbittoday-inallblste-
centpubllcatlons.
letmeinsisttbat tbislsanissueoftbe/hsmsandtbegas-antbis
ls motetbanj ustonedifhcultyamongotbets. ecauseiftbete lstbe
senseoftoucb,wbicbistosaytbismotifofwbicbNancyspeaksandtbat
be nowtbematizesincteaslngly, wbllesaylngtbeteis no tbe' senseof
toucb, tbeteaealso-befote otbeyond tbis s/sc/oftbougbtotdis-
coutse, beyondwbat is called/sachs/sachs} , wbicbbeisbencefottb
dealingwitb-alltbesehgutalandappatentlynon tbematicopetatotswltb
wblcbbeiscontinuallyplaying,aslamdoingbete),tbtougbwbicband
tbankstowbicbNancybaslongsinceputtoucbingintowotds,andsaid
it andtoucbedlt.
ut inslstingis notnotbing. ven lfltdld notbingbutbtingto tbe
ligbtofdaywbatwassleepinglntbesbadow,evenifltexblbited/i/sa/,
andassach,tbuspainfullybatingitsbody) wbatbaduntiltbenbeena
used-upmetapbot, afamillatttopewe usewitboutpayingmucb atten-
tiontolt-well,tbislntenslhcatlonofinsistenceisnolongetasimpletbe-
totical movement. ltcomes downtotbinklngandtotbetbinkingbody
oftbougbt.
Twoexamples.lamcboosingtbemalmosttandomlyinmylndex,fot,
on tbescoteofToucbing,inNancy'scotpus,l baveptepatedfotmyself
an indexattbeendofeacbbook.An index isa cettaln otdet-a taxo-
nomlc and delctic otdet, and also awayofobeying otdets, undet tbe
tbumb oftbehngetandtbeeye. ltomtbisindexlwouldliketotacklea
smallnumbetofenttles.Wbywouldsucbanlndexnotbeexbaustiveeven
aftetonebasteteadtbewbole wotk, mote tbanonce,ftombeglnningto
Iss/sachsa"
end`Tblsmaybewbatl bopetobeglntodemonsttatetbankstotbese
/assxam/ss.
I . Tbes/sxam/stoucbesuponaa/mannetofmaklnguseoftbe
tactllescbema. ltlsanexampleoftoacblnNancy'slanguage,otmote
pteclsely, anexampleoftbemannetlnwblcbNancytoacbesonottam-
petswltblangaageandwbattoacbes onlangaage, lnlanguage, andfot
langaage.Tbebeattlsnevetfataway,hisbeatt,htstofall,wblcbldonot
wanttoavoldmentlonlng.Tbebeattlsoneoftboselntetlotsutfacesof
tbebodytbat,lnptlnclple,anlessonepetfotmstbeunlmaglnable,atleast
fotnow, opetatlonofopen-beattsutgetyononeself) , noself-toucblng
canevet teacb-wbat mlgbtbetetmed tbe beatt's blde. A tblnklngof
toucb mastatleast gotbtoagbatbeotyofskln. Now,wbatlsskln, tbe
pelllculat,saa,peel,pelt,fell, otblde`ln Csas,Nancybaslnventedsx-
saasi/isn,agteatandnecessatywotd.`
Tbebeatt.absolutelntlmacyoftbellmltlesssectet,noextetnalbotdet,
absolutelnslde,ctyptfotoneselfofanuntoucbableself-lntetlotlty,placeof
tbeactoffaltb ,aboutwblcbweteadlnTbeDeconsttuctlonofCbtls-
tlanlty), lnmostcoteoftbatwblcbsymbollzestbeotlglnofllfe, wltbln
tbebody, byltsdlsplacementoflt,ms/a/s/oftbeblood) .Andyetnotb-
lngappeatsatleasttobemoteauto-affectlvetbantbebeatt.utsomany
ofNancy'stextsbavetoucbedupontbebeattovettbepastfewyeats,tbls
desetvesanotbetstudylntetsectlngwltbtbeptesentone) . Hete, tben,ls
oneoftbeh tstexampleslnotedwbenltefettedlnasemlnatafewyeats
ago tobls lnsactlh able,TbeUnsactlhceable) , lnwblcbbeanalyzes
tbetematkabledenla|wbetebyWestetnsactlhcelsconstltuted,ftomllato's
PhasdstoHegelandtoatallle.AdeconsttactlonofCbtlstlanltylstbas
a|teadyannoanced.Accotdlngtotblsanalysls,ltlsamattetoftbespltltu-
allzatlon,wblcblsalsoadlalectlzatlon,ofsactlhce, ltssa//a/isnlnaato-
sactlhceotlntbesactlhceofsactlh ce.ydenylngltselfbydenylnglnlt-
selfananclentsactlh ce,ltcovetsovetanlnh nlteptocessofnegatlvltywltb
tbenameofsactlhce,wblcblssactedotsactallzlng.lndolngso,ltlnstalls
lnltsbeatt-attbebeatt,saysNancy, attbebeattoftblsptocess-tbe
sactlh claldesttactlontbatltclalmstogo beyondotabandon. lttepeats,
onecouldsay, tbeanclentsactlhce.Tbebeattlsnotonlytbelnsensltlve
guteoftbecentetotofsectetlntetlotlty,ltlstbesenslblebeatt,tbetbytbm,
tespltatlon,andbeatlngoftbe blood, tbebloodybeattottbe b|eedlng
beatt,anancltcumclsedbeatt,andttbetonNancyevokestbecltcam-
z Panc/aa/isns ndsa"
cisionoftbebeatt) . titscentet, tbis doubleopetationsimultaneously
combines,inanonetousambiguity, tbeinhniteefhcacyofdialecticalneg-
ativityandtbebloodybeattofsactihce.
d
Tbete tben follow, in tbe next sentence, two instances oftbe wotd
toucb. Tbeydesetveaninni/sanalysis,ontbesceoftbatuponwbicb
tbeytoucb,namely,ptecisely,aptocessofinhnitization,tbevetysameone
tbatwasquestionedintbeptecedingcbaptet.To/sachupontbisdenial,
ot,toputitsuccinctly,tbismanipulation,isto/sachupontbissimultane-
ity, itis to be obliged to wondetwbetbetdialecticalnegativitywasbed
awaytbeblood,otwbetbettbebloodmust,ontbeconttaty,inevitablybe-
mottbageftomit.lnotdettopteventtbedialecticalptocessftomtemain-
ingacomedy, ataillewantstbebloodtodow,myempbases~|.
_

.
l n tbiscase,onemayeasilysaytbatitisaquestionofamannetofspeak-
ing, ofsome kindofttope.|ustttytohndsomeonewbobasevet|itetally
toucbedadenial.AttimesNancyseemstobedtawingontbendofan
oldtbetotictbatsaystotoucbfottoconcetn, toaim, totbink, to
tefetto,tospeakof, totakeasitsobj ect, totbematizeptecisely, ina
pteciselys/insn/fasbion,andsofottb.utbecause,intbesamesentence,
oneseeshtsttbebandsofmanipulation,anotbeth gutebutmotesttictly
detetminate) , next tbe blood tise up ot take sbape, tbe litetality of
toucbtbetebybecomesmotesensitive,neatet,lessconventional.Onebe-
ginstoaskonese|f.wbencecomesandwbatcomesastbeautbotizingin-
stanceoftbishguteoftoucb`Wbydoesonesaytotoucbfottospeak
of, toconcetn toaim, totefettoingenetal,andsofottb`lsitbe-
causetoucb, as Atistotlesaid, is nota uniquesense ` Mote andmote,
Nancyplaystbisgame~tbemostsetiousgametbeteis-wbicbconsists
inusing,asiftbetewetenottbesligbtestptoblem,tbiscommonandan-
cesttalhguteoftactilelanguage inotdettodtawoutattentiontotbe'
senseoftoucbitself-tbattbeteisnot.Heinveststbisvetyinvasiontbat,
litt|ebylittle,pteventsusftomdistinguisbingbetweentbematicsenseand
opetatingfunction,betweentbeptopetotlitetalsenseoftbissenseandall
itsttopologicaltutnsofpbtase.Wbentbisnondistinctionbecomesttou-
bling, onecannolongetavoideyeingtbisdoublewtiting. lsittoucbing
uponsometbingotisittoucbingupontoucbingitself,tbetewbete,bav-
ingmoteotlesssutteptitiouslydtawnoutattentiontotbeitteduciblehg-
uteoftoucbing,tbiswtitingmakesusputouthngetonlanguage, toucb-
ingitselfbytoucbingusandgettingtouswbilemakngusnoticewbatis
goingonwitbtoucbing,tobesuteinamannettbatisasobscuteasitis
Iss/sachsa"
apotetlc,butabovealll na/sachingmannettotbepolntwbeteallaffect,
alldeslte,allfasclnatlon,allexpetlenceoftbeotbetseemstobelnvolved,
lnanunavoldablysensltlve,otsentlmental,fasblon`
Unfalllngly, tbequasl-compulsotyobllgatlontomakeevetytblngcon-
vetgetowatdtbetactllebasdesttuctlveeffects.Abuslvespendlngputstbe
lexlconoftoucbattlskoftuln,lnoneoftbosepostwat,escbatologlcalln-
datlons,wblcbexcotlatetbemselveslntbedespetatecallfotaneweta,as
wellasanewptovenance. ltlstbete, petbaps, tbattbedeconsttuctlon
ofCbtlstlanlty hndsoneofltsapocalyptlcalsymptoms.allwespeakls
toucblng,now,tbetelsnotbesenseoftoucb-sometblngelsewould
bavetocome,sometblngabsolutelynew,butstlllmoteanclent.Anotbet
body, anotbettblnklngbody.
2. Onewouldhndtbesscsndsxam/sallttleeatlletln tbesametext.
Onemusttecalltbats/insncsls, lltetally, etymologlcally, tbequalltyof
tbatwblcbtoucbes,ofwbatlslmpottant, ofwbatcounts, _ latln}s
/ins/) Onesaystbatagestutelspettlnentwbenlt/sachss,toucbesigh/q,
concetns,tefetsto,otstandsasltbastolntelatlontowbatbastobe,and
tbusadj ustsltselftotbecontact.ltlssald,hgutatlvely, aboutdlscoutselt-
selfottbougbttbatlnsctlbesltselflnlt.Now,betelswbatonemaytead
inasn/hssss, wben Nancyseems to bedteamlng,bels tlgbt todteam
andlwanttodteamalongwltbblm) ,aboutapettlnentklss,aboutbelng
pettlnentatlastwltbtegatdtoklssesotsex.
lotNancy'sstubbotnlmpettlnence,tbelmpettlnencelllkeandadmlte
tbemost,lstbat,attbebeattofecstasy,ofoffetlng,oftavlsbment,oftbe
abandonofselftotbeotbet,evenofsactlhce,betesolutelytecalls-bels
tbemost tesolutemanl know, betecallsexactly.belstbemostexactot
punctualpetsonlknow,benevetmlssesanappolntment-tbatonemust
not tenounce pettlnence, one mustnot tenounceknowlng ndsaylng
pettlnentlywbatlsnecessatyontblssubjecttosafeguatdteason.awbole
polltlcsoftbenllgbtenmenttocome,nevettenounceeltbetpbllosopby,
otknowledge,ottbougbt,andtaketbetlmeto add,evenlfinasn/hssss
,All tbe same, sometblng else needs to be added bete. . . . ut l can't
dwellontblsquestlonbete) . ,Alltbesame,sometblngelse needs tobe
addedbete.conftontedwltbnon-Westetnptactlcesofsactlhce, tbenon-
pettlnentcbatactetofoutldeaofsactlhcelsdoubtlessnotentltelydlstlnct
ftom manyotbetsotts oflmpettlnence, lndeed, ftom lmpettlnence ln
2,O Panc/aa/isns nd sa"
genetal. lnasense,wedon'tteallyknowwbateatlng,klsslng, bavlng
sex,otcommandlngmeanoutsldeoftbeWest. . . . utlcan'tdwellon
tblsquestlonbete.)
,,
`
Tbelmpettlnence,bete,wouldconslstlnnottoucblng,lnnotknowlng
bowto toucb, a//ain,accede,fotexample) totboseexpetlencesoftoucb-
lngcalledeatlng, ' klsslng,otbavlngsex ,andnodoubtaswell, altbougb
lessdltectly,commandlng)outsldeone'sownbome,beteoutsldeoutWest
, ptesumlngtbatonecan speakcalmlyofsaWestandsayaswltbout
toucblnglt) .Heteagaln,tbeopetatlngscbemactossestbenetwotkoftbe-
matlchgutes.Tblsctosslnglsttoubllng,ltcausesonetotblnk,motepte-
clselytotedectontoucb.Andtblslsconh tmedwben,alongtbeway, one
takesotboldstbemoutb,'eatlng,andklsslngtobeptlvllegedplacesofan
auto-affectlonfotwblcbself-toucblngseemstodellvetuptbettanscen-
dentalmodel.Tblsauto-affectlon,beglnnlngwltbtbesuctlonoftbenuts-
llngwbo ptesses bls otbet own llps togetbetwben tbe bteast ls taken
away)goesftomtbemoutbandtbetonguetotbebeatlng-oneself-speakof
volce.uttbevolcedlvldes,multlplles,andbeteto-affectsltselfalteadyln
sbatlngvolces /s a/agsdsssix"} .
Hetetben,htstofall,lsadeductlonoftbeklssandofaself-toucblng
wbosegtammatlcaltedexltylsballallow,as,lassume,bedoes,toosclllate
ftomonetotbeotbet,toucblngsnsssottoucblngsachs/hs`lstbatte-
allysometblngelse` Howtosaylt` lslttbe objectofaposslbleknowl-
edge`) .Tbeklss,tbelmpetatlve. . . ofklsslng,lsdeduced,lfonecanbe-
llevetbeautbotofIhsCa/sgsica/Imsa/is,`ftomalawofsexotftom
sexaslaw. , ltendtotblnktbattblslsamannetofspeaklng,apedagogy,
atbetotlcmeantfottbosewbotblnkofnotblngelseasfotme, lwould
j ustas welldeducesexaslawftomtbeapotlas oftbeself-toucblng,
buttblsmattetsllttle,besldes,bewllllndeedgoontosaytbattbellbldo
does not sufhce to account fot lt, not does some zoo-antbtopology) .
l] lnally, sexaslaw, tbls lmpetatlveoftoucblng,klsslng,wblcb neltbet
tbedtlveoftbespeclesnoteventbe llbldo'canaccountfot. lottblslm-
petatlvedoesn'talmatanyobject,eltbetlatgeotsmall,eltbetselfotcblld,
butonlytbepleasute/palnofasstoucblng' d' unss- toucbet] , Nancy,
Csas, p.
)
) .
lptovlslonallylntettupttbequotatlonbete,at tbepolntwbeteanlm-
pottant patentbesls commences-concetnlngpteclselyan lntettuptlon
tbatlslmpottanttome,wblcblstosaylntettuptlonltself,tbeanc/aa/sd
Iss/sachsa
passageftomselftoyoaattbebeattofself,acettainandnotonesel'
efote l apptoacb Nancy's ptostbetical patentbesis aboatbis and not
oneself' ''otbisai/hsa/tetatningtoself, allowmetoleavetbingssas-
pendedfotawbile.
Tbelawofself-toacbing,tbetefotetbisfatalimpetativeptodacesand
intettapts-itpanctaatesbytbesametokenalltbesyntxesofnatcissism.
letasteteadwbatcoaldbavebeentbemosteconomicpointofdepattate,
namely,acettainpageftom|nssnss nis_AliniteTbinkingtbatbtings
togetbettbemostexplicitandfotmalizingofNancy's tematks-on,letas
say,/sach. His discoatseextends toalltbetegistets,ssa/ingot/hsma/ic,
if fotconvenience,weate stilldistingaisbingtbetewbetetbedissociation
betweentbesetwomodesisnolongetsttictlys/insn/) ,ittoacbesonall
tbesenses,itintegtatestbeinh nitedimensionoftbeself-toacbingtbat
toacbesonevetytbing, ontbetangent, tbetangible,andtbeintangible.
Nancyttanscendentalizesotontologizesevetytbingtbatcomesdownto
toacbing, andlikeamadmanbegoesonatainoasspee,spendingtbe
tesoatce,tbectedit, tbecapital, and tbeintetestoftbe ttanscendental-
ontological.Hetedacestbemtomonetatysimalacta,itseemstome.And
beevennames, anticipatingtbetebymydteamaboateyes,tbeklssoftbe
eyes,tbesceneofeyestoacbingtbemselvesandeacbotbet,eyetoeye.
Yes, talkingaboatas, infact,benames tbeplace wbetetoacbingand
visiontoacb, aswellasotbitaltoacb, andtoacbingtbeeyeitself.let
asscanapage
To touchlauguage. totouchthettace,audtotouchitsellacemeut.To touch
whatmovesaudvibtatesiutheopeumouth, thehiddeu dro/} ceutet,the
ellipticaltetutu. To touchtheellipsis itse|l-audtotouch ellipsis iuasmuch
asittouches,as auotbittouchestheedgesolasystem,whethetcosmological
otoculat.Asttaugeotbitaltouch.touchiugtheeye,thetougue,lauguage,aud
thewotld.Attheceutet,audiuthebelly .
. . . todiscernistoseeaudtottace. . . . Discetuiugiswhetetouchiugaudvi
siou touch.ltisthelimitolvisiou-audthelimitoltouch.To discetuistosee
whatdiHetsiutouchiug.To seetheceutetdilletiug,ltomitsell) .theellipsis.
I
ltomtbehtstpagesoftbeotiginalbook,|nssnss n is,ftomtbegen
etalptesentationofitslogicandmajotconcepts,notablytbesxsci/sd, as
tbeywilllatetbepattowotk,Nancybadlaidoattbisdtamaofcsn/ac/a/
/hs/imi/,wbicbistosay anactwitboatact,tbeaffectedactoftoacbig,
liketbistbinkingtbattoacbesontotbelimit. atitisalimittbata|sobe
anc/aa/isns Andsa."
comesi/ssan/imi/,lnaftlgbtenlnglyenlgmatlcsense.ltlsallmlttbattbe
saldtblnklngtoacbes, tbetefote,wltboatapptoptlatlngltfotltself,bow-
evet.Sacbwoa|dbetbesenseoftbewotdhnlte, lna hnltetblnklng.
ltlstbetetbattbelnhnltlsmtbatlbaveqaestlonedlntbeCbtlstlantblnk-
lngofdesb hnds ltselfaltogetbet andattbesametlme ptovedanddls-
ptoved,lnaway-dlsptovedattbebeattofattestedptoofltself.We bave
noaccesstoltexceptftomtblswayoftefettlngtoacbtotbellmlt.lotex-
ample, ahnltetblnklng. atblnklngtbat, wltboattenoanclngttatb ot
anlvetsallty,wltboattenoanclngssnss,lsonlyevetabletotblnktotbeex-
tenttbatltalsotoacbesonltsownllmltandltsownslngalatlty.

ltlsalltooobvloastbattbetetemalns someaneaslness,aconcetn,and
tbeconfesslonofltls slgned lnpasslng. byallmeans,wesboald not te-
noance'Above all, wesboaldn't even tblnkoftenoanclng. Renoanclng
wbat`Ttatb, anlvetsallty, sense' No less'Wbetbettbls ls aconfesslon, a
concesslon,otawatnlng, mattets llttle. lndeed,ltlsatemlndettbattbe
ptlvllegeoftoacb,llketbeptlvllegeofslngalatlty, ptlvllegeltself')entalls
tbetlskofjeopatdlzlngwbatbaslmposedltselfagains/toacbtbtoagboat
blstoty, fotexample, lntblsbattlebetween tbebaptlcalandtbeoptlca,
andlnalltbeplaceswbetetbevalaeoftbevlslble,sidss,tevelatlon,anvell-
lng, lntaltlon,andsofottb)bassopowetfallybtoagbtlntoaccotdance
ttatb,andtbeanlvetsalltyoneattacbestolt)wltbtbesenseofslgbtandall
tbehgatalltytbattblssenseotganlzes.Tbetebasbeentoomacbplowlng
tbtoagbtbeheldoftblsptoblematlc,webavevetlhedtblsoftenenoagb)
fottbetetobeanytlme,toom,taste,otpatlencebete,tocomebacktotbls
onceagaln.Howevet,letasnotetbattbehtstcondltlonofateexamlnatlon
woaldconslstlndlssoclatlng ,j astto see, ottoacb) tbevalaeofsense
ftom tbevalaes ofttatbandanlvetsallty, wblcbNancybeteso qalcy
gatbets ln tbesamesetles. ls sensenecessatllyotdetedwltblntbealmat
ttatb`Tbls,too,lsatettalnmacbstlttedap lntbepastdecades. ,Tbetels
toombete,fotexample,fotaklndofHassetllandlstlnctlonbetweenpate
gtammatand/sgica/pategtammat.) lattbetmote,lntbevetyexpetlence
oftbeexsctlbed,Nancymastalsotakelntoaccoantateatlngawayftom
tblshnltenessandanopenlngtowatdtbeexcessoftbelnh nlte,andtbete,
nodoabt,tbettatbfalmomentlsptodaced,lfnottbemomentofttatb.
lotexample. Tbls lswbywe calltblstboagbtwtltlng, ' tbatls,tbeln-
sctlptlonoftblsvlolenceandoftbefacttbat,tbtoagblt,allsensels sx-
sc/sdceaselesslytefasestocomebacktoltselandtbatalltblnklnglstbe
hnltetblnklngoftbeselnhnlteexcesses. '
Iss/sachsa" z/;
Tbelnttoductotycbaptetof|nssnssnisletstbewotdtoucblng`
tecutandendslntbesuttoundlngsofoneRlmbaud
Howtoact,\ stoleuheatt`
Stopattbepolntoftbequestlonmatk.Slgb,cty, otptotest,tbeques-
tlon lsj usta quotatlon, a temlndet. ltls lsolatedandlnsulatona llne
maklngupapatagtapbbyltselfNotblngexpllcltlyannounces,otfollows
upwltb)acommentatyaboutlt. Tblsmaybebecausealltbatlssaldbete,
befoteandaftettblsquestlon,ac/aa/qac/nsa/sdgss.ltacknowledgestbls
cettalntytbattoucblng,lnanycase,toucbestbebeattandontbebeatt,
butlnasmucbasltlsa/aastbebeattoftbeotbet.
Lvensstoucblngtoucbesupontbebeattoftbeotbet.Heattsnevetbe-
long,atleasttbetewbetetbeycanbetoucbed.Noonesbouldevetbeable
tosaymybeatt, myownbeatt, exceptwbenbeotsbemlgbtsayltto
someoneelseandcallblmotbettblsway-andtbatlslove.Tbetewould
benotblngandtbetewouldnolongetbeanyquestlonwltbouttblsotlgl-
natyexapptoptlatlonandwltboutacettalnstolenbeatt. Tblsbook,|ns
snssnis,wltb tbequotatlonHowtoact, L stolenbeatt`htst came
outlnJO, wblcblstosaysbottlyaftetacettalnsutglcalopetatlon, tbe
beattttansplantatlon,wblcblbavealteadymentloned-buttenyeatsbe-
foteNancy'sLin/as,Tbelnttudet) . ``Tbesedatesdoanddonotcount.
Wbatmakestbesetextssttonglynecessatydoespettalntoni/s/hin/ing,
tbatls,atblnklngbotbllnkedto contlngencyandfotelgnto lt.
lnLin/as, ftomltsassoclatlon,tblstlme,wltbtbe/schnofbodles,
tbeblstotyoftecbnlquesandtecbnlcalposslbllltles, tbewotdcon-
tlngencytakesonavaluetbatwecannolongetteducetotbetwote-
matkableanddlffetentusesoftbesamewotdcontlngencyasanalyzed
eatlletwltbtegatdtoltanck's andCbttlens texts.Tbete agaln, ltseems
tome,tbtougbtbequestlonofttansplant, gtaftlng, andtecbnlcalptos-
tbetlcs, tunstbedlvldlngllnetbatconcetnsus,lnsctlblngandlmposlng
ltselflnlts mostlltetalfotm.
. . . myowuheatt,thetelote,wasuolougetolauyuse, lota teasou thatwas
uevetclatih ed. The lastlheatdaboutthis cameltomadoctotwhotoldme.
Youtheattwasptogtammedtolasthltyyeats . Audso, i uotdettolive,it
wasuecessatytoteceivesomeoueelse'sheatt,theheattolauothet.
, 8utwhatothetptogtamwasmyowuphysiologicalptogtamcomugactoss
theu`essthautweutyyeatseatliettheteweteuottausplauts,audabovealluot
z/| Panc/aa/isns nd sa
with tecoutse to cyclospotiue, which ptotects agaiust oue's tejectiou olthe
ttausplautedotgau.Tweutyyeatsltomuowweshallcettaiulybedealiugwith
auothetkiudolttausplautatiou, usugothetmeaus. letsoual contingenciesate
ctossiug contingencies inthehistor,otechniqaes. Latliet, l'd have beeu dead,
latet,lwouldsutvivesomeothetway. 8utlalwayshudsitsellsqueezediuto
theuattowslotoltechnica/ossi/i/itiesThatiswhyitisiuvaiuthatthosewho
wautedittobeametaphysicaladveututetakeouthosewhoheldittobeatech-
nica/accom/ishmentpetlotmaucetechuique| . it is aquestiouolboth-oue
withiutheothet. )
uttlgbtahettbellmltoftoucb,uponotnexttowblcbbewouldstlll
llketobetoucblng, betecomes nonllmltatlonltself, tbe ttanscendental
quasl-ontologlzatlonoftblssensetoucbasss/saching.To besute,toucb,
asss/saching, lstoucb,butalsotoucb/asevetyotbetsense,wbencetbe
dlzzlnessoftbetbetotlcaltutnsofpbtase) .Toucb,asss/saching, lstbe
belngofevetysenselngenetal,tbebelngsenseofsense,tbecondltlonof
posslbllltyofsenslbllltylngenetal,tbevetyfotmofspaceandtlme,andso
fottb.uthtstofall,tbewlll,tbeessenceoftbewlll,andtbetefoteevety
metapbyslcsoftbewlll, petbapsftomDescattestoKantoteventoNletz-
scbe) wlllbavebeen btougbtbackto toucb. letbaps teducedto toucb.
baptlcottanscendentalteductlon.
Asttangetautology,tbetefote,wblcblncludestoucblntbewlll,anana-
lytlcdehnltlonoftbew|lltbatuncovetslnlttoucb tbtougbslmpleexpll-
catlon.Towllllstowllltoucb,towantlstowanttotoucb,lt) .To wllllsto
wanttotoucb,tbustobend _/is} actlvltytofallbacklntotbefold_s/i}
oftbepasslveactlve auto-affectlon tbat ls, lnanywlll-to-toucb, tbelet-
oneself-be-toucbedbytbatwblcb,tbeotbet,onetoucbesatwlll.Adan-
getoussupplement ,Rousseau) ,avlcatloussutplusofmastutbatotyplea-
sutedoeslnnowayteducetbealtetltyoftbeotbetwbocomestolnbablt
tbeself-toucblng,otateasttobauntlt,atleastasmucbasltspecttallzes
anyexpetlenceoftoucblngtbeotbet.lottblsaRect,wbatbetelndectsot
conj ugates tbeassisactlvltyoftbewlll, goes equallyno doubt bytbe
namedssis.llketbeontologlcalandtbettanscendental,tbewlllaffectslt-
selfwltbltsotbetftomtbeh tstcontact,assoond lttoucbesotonetoucbes
ontoucb,d soonasonewants/sach, aan/s/s/sachi/, i/ssdsqu'onveut
/s/sachs /ai, /ai-mcms .
ltsthesystemagdluy ltlthewil to system. , 8utwhatiswill`Who kuows,
otthiukshekuows`Doesu'twilldilletiuitsesseuce`) Wecauheathimmut-
Iss/sachsa" :/
mutiug,as usual, thetei s uothe'will . -| . D. } l t i s thewill to touch. the
wish thatthehauds touch, actossthe book, audthtough the book, thatits
haudstouch,eachiugj ustd lad itsskiu,itspatchmeutthatouthaudstouch,
alwaysthtoughtheiutetmediatyolskiu,buttouchuouetheless.To touchoue-
sell, to be touched tightatouesell, outside oueselwithout auythiug beiug
apptoptiated.Thatiswtitiug,love,audseuse.
Seuseistouchiug.
Howlsonetodeclpbettblsislnltallcs`Neattallzed, lncautloassas-
penslon, ltlsalsoattbesametlmeh tmlylnslstent.senseltself, tbesense
oftbesenses, lstbessenseoftoucbsstbeessenceoftoacblngls
sense-andtbeessenceofsenselstoacblng. Onecoaldalsoandetstand
tblsisas asottof/ansi/iswboseactlve,baptlcalmovementtoacbesal-
teady,ltselftoltself./s/smeans/s/sachand/s/sach/sach.sense,ls) ,tbat
ls,toacbestoacb,toucbis,toacbes)toacb.tbaswll|otdeslte,seetbepte-
cedlngpatagtapbs) .Toacb toacbes onevetytblng-altogetbetllkepbl-
losopby, somepeoplemlgbtsay, andllkepbllosopbets, tbosemeddlets
wbocan'tkeeptbeltbandsoffanytblng,lntbeltlnsatlablepolymotpboas
petvetsltyotlmpetloasencyclopedlsm.
Oncemoteoutsabj ectsllpsoff. Toucblsnolongetacategotyamong
otbets, wbence lts aasi-ttanscendental-ontologlzatlon-aasi, becaase
tbetoucbableoftblstoacbglvesltselfovetasuntoucbable.lfltweteacat-
egoty, ltwoaldalsobetbatwblcb cattles ltoffbeyondltself,j ustaswtlt-
lng/'ci/} expottsltselflntoexsctlptlon,tbatotbetconceptaallnventlon
ofNancy's. Senseistoacblng.Tbettanscendental' ofsense ,otwbatls
ontologlcal'lnlt)lstoacb.obscute,lmpate,untoacbabletoacb.``
l ftoacblstbesenseofalltbesenses,tbatls,ofallsensltlveotsenslble
ptesentatlon, ofall tbatmakessensebyptesentlngltselftbas, oneon|y
wtltes/s/sachsni/,lnvlewoflt,onlt,lnltsfavot,andsofottb) byln-
sctlblngtbatllmltonwblcb,aswebavej astbeguntosense,stands,bat
alsoovetdowsltself)tbeself-toacblngofanycontact.Tbetefotetblswtlt-
lng ls nevet apptoptlate otapptoptlated, no mote tban ltapptoptlates
anytblngtoltself. Totoacboneself, tobetoucbedtlgbtatoneself,out-
sldeoneself,wltboatanytblngbelngapptoptlated.Tbatlswtltlng,love,
andsense. `
Nancycallstblstbeexsctlbed-andtbecallfotadeconsttactlonof
Cbtlstlanlty. Hlstecentwotksbavelaldoattbeconseqaentelabotatlon
oftbeconceptofexsctlptlon.

Panc/aa/isns ndsa.
Absentteconsttactlonbeteofalltbedevelopmentstbat tell oftbeex-
sctlptlon ofwtltlng, oftbe ttace as self-effacement, let us j usttead tbe
llnestbatateclosesttotblsanalytlcsoftoucb~tbetewbeteltovetdows
ltself, at once hgutlng othctlonallzlngltself lnaaasi-ttanscendental-
ontologlcalbypet-analytlcs.Tblsanalytlcscallslntoaestlonallmatetlal
otspltltualmodalltlesofaptesencefallofsense,cbatgedwltbsense, all
tbe pbllosopbemes ot tbeologemes tbat we bave examlned wltbln tbe
ptoblematlcsofdesb.
Assoouaswtitiugtoucbestbebody i . e. , acettaiubodylost, beadloug,a
corserda- D. | ,wtitiugloses toucb itsell.Wtitiugbas oulytottaceitot
ellace it. 8uttbe bodyis uot lost iu tbesimpleextetiotityolapbysicalot
couctetepteseuce. Ratbet, itislost toallmatetialotspititualmodalitiesol
apteseucellolseuse,cbatgedwitbseuse.Audilwtitiuglosestbebody,loses
itsowubody, acorserda, tbisoccutsto tbeexteuttowbicbitiusctibes its
pteseucebeyoudalltecoguizedmodalitiesolpteseuce.To iusctibepteseuceis
uotto,te)pteseutitottosiguiit,buttoletcometooueaudovetouewbat
metely pteseutsitsellattbe limitwbete iusctiptiouitsellwitbdtaws ,ot ex-
sctibesitsell,wtitesitselloutsideitsell). . . .
. . .Tbeexpetieuceuamedwtitiug is tbisvioleutexbaustiouoltbedis-
coutseiuwbicballseuseisalteted,uotiutoauotbetseuseottbeotbetway,
butiu tbisexsctibedbody.
Toacblngwl:b tactupontbetblnklngoftoacb, but also bagglnglt,
bodyandsoal, lnone'satms _ /ass-css ,sacbtblnklngmastattbe
sametlmeoffetltselfandexposeltselftolettlngltselfbetoucbed. lot
totoacb,soonebelleves,ls,toucblngwbatonetoacbes,toletoneselfbe
toucbedbytbetoacbed,bytbetoucboftbetblng,wbetbetobj ectlveot
not, otbytbeesbtbatonetoucbesandtbattbenbecomestoacblngas
wellastoucbed.
Tblslsnotttueofalltbeotbetsenses. onemay, tobesute,letoneself
betoucbedaswellbywbatonebeatsotsees,butnotnecessatllybeatd
otseenbywbatonebeatsotsees,wbencetbelnltlal ptlvllegeofwbatls
calledtoucb,tblsatleastlsHassetl'satgament,dlscussedeatllet) .
To toacb,soonebelleves,amountstbetefotetolettlngoneselfbetoacbed
bywbatonetoucbes andlstbustotoacb,wltbpettlnence, apon toacb,
lnamannettbatlsatoncetoucblngandtoucbed.Now, Nancysaysand
tbustblnkblsd5ldotbetsbefoteblm,tobesute,bats/hsaiss.lnwbat
waydoesbealsosaysometblngotbettbantbettadltlonupantllMetleau-
Iss/sachsa" 2,,
lontyotMaldlney, fotexample`Tbatl s wbeteonenowneedst ostattot
stattovetagaln.
Makebellevel 'm stattlngovetagaln, slnce obvloaslyandavowedly
bavetbefeellnglcannevetgetto lt, totbettatb,andl cannevettoacb
tbepolntofdepattate,nottomentlontbeend.ldatetocontentmyself
wltbtelllng,oatofotdet,tbestotyofwbatlwoaldbavellkedtowtlteln
otdettoteacbblm,pteclsely,lnanapptoptlate,httlng_a/sway.No,not
eventbestoty, tben,batcettalnstotlestbatatemoteotlessanecdotal,of
wbattoacbedmewbllelwasttylngtowtlteOnToacblng.
Tbas, fot example, tbls scene offtlendsblp, ofmeetlngs, and con-
ttetemps,tbeconttetempsattbetendezvoas,lnI 2, ptobably. ltemem-
betoneofoatmeetlngs,tbatofamlssedtendezvoasoneevenlngattbe
Sttasboatgaltpott,ontbeeveofoneoftboselnnametablecolloqalams
ontbegeopbllosopbyofLatope.lmposslbletogetlntoacbontbetele-
pbone.|eanlaclspanctaalandcomestoj olnmeahetbavlngmlssedme
attbealtpott,andaftetlbadalteadygottentotown,belsaccompanled
byoatftlend|acqaellneRlsset,towbombadj astwtlttentosay,ontbe
eveoftbatday) , tatbetbelatedly, bowmacb llkedandadmlted, once
agaln,amsads/sin_ loveftomaDlstance} .
Tbetltleofonepoemtbetewasalteadyecbolngwltboatmyteallzlng
lt,tbetltlecbosenmacbeatlletfottbetext-on-toacb-tbat-l-dteamed-of-
wtltlng-fot-|ean-lac-Nancy. . .
Nopanctaatlonwbatsoevetln tbls poem, nopanctaatlonmatk, not
evenattbeend,exceptaftettbeqaestlontoyoa ,slnontol` _lfnot
yoa`} ) . lstbepanctaatlonoftbesatbeleastoftbebeaatyoftblspoem
lnwblcballtbemodalltlesatelndectedbetweenns/, andtbepolntof
tbeqaestlonmatk`
Letoacher
masQuI
pouttaitmetouchetu ptseut
siuoutoi`
_ + + o butwho/couldtouchmeatpteseut/iluotyou`. o o
lnwbatwaydoesNancyalsosaysometblngotbettbantbettadltlonap
toMetleaa-ontyandMaldlney` lsltonlylntbatbesayssometblngs/hs,
. _
.
Panc/aa/isns Andsa"
pteclselytbes/hs,tbeotbetwboantlclpatesandlntet-venes isn/
in/s-isn/attbebeattoftbeptesence-to-selfoftbeself-toacblng`lsltonly
lntbatbesaystbeotbetattbebeattoftbemost bypetbollctedexlvltyot
tbemostnatclsslstlcspecalatltywbenltcomestoself-toacb`Tblswoald
keepblmlnose,tangentlalptoxlmltytoltanck'sandCbttlen'slntent,lf
tbeqaestlonoftecbnlcalcontlngencydldnotcometocompllcatetblngs.
attbetelsn'tj asttbepotentlaldlffetence_dq snd tegatdlngtecbnl-
calcontlngencles, tbetelsalsoalltbatglvesltselfto/hin/lntbedlffetent
gestates oftbebody, tbedlffetentsceneandstaglng, style, otwtltlng
ptagmatlcs.
Attblspolnt, ontblsstage,tblsotbetlsneltbetenanclatednotdeslg-
nated,neltbetwtlttennotevensxsci/sdbyNancylntbetbltdpetsonof
aconstatlve.Tbeslgnatotyoftblstboagbtaddtessesblmselftoyoa, and
panctaatlngotbetwlse,beaposttopblzesyoalntbesecondpetsonattbe
beattofapbllosopblcaldlscoatseontbebeatt.Hetbaswtltesyoalnbls
Csas,andlplckaptbeptecedlngqaotatlonwbetellntettaptedlt.
lotthisimpetativedoesu'taimatauyobect,ueithetlatgeuotsmall,ueithet
selluotchild,butoulythepleasute/paiuolactouchiug d'uuse- touchet| .
,Otyetagaiu. olatemaiuiug-sell,otabecomiug-sellaithoattetutuiugtosel
To takepleasute oair isattheheartolthedialecticadiastolewithoutsys-
tolethisheattisthebody.)
Isetoachyou,auduotouesell) _Setoachertoi,etuousoi)-otagaiu,
ideutically, tosetoachskin,auduotouesell) suchisthethiukiugthatthe
bodyalways lotcesto go lutthet, always too lat. luttuth, itisthought itsell
whichlotces itselliuthiswayauddislocatesitsell lotall theweight, allthe
gtavityolthought-itsellaaeighing-ntheeudgoestowatduothiugexcept
consentingtothe/od,and/odies.,Lxaspetatedcouseut.),, Coas,p.,6)
Howlsonetogaagetbefallconseqaenceoftbls tol, oftol, yoats,
wbentbeself-toacblngoffetsltstedexlvltytosaeRtactlonwltboatall
tbesametenoanclnglt,wltboatyleldlngotglvlnglnlnltstelatlontoself`
lf,lnanabsatdbypotbesls) lbadtocboosetbemostdeclslvewotdln
tbeselastsentences,ltwoaldnodoabtbeexaspetated. sxassa/sdcon-
sent. lwoaldtbenttytoj astlmycbolcewltbtbeapptoptlateanalysls.
exaspetatlonneltbetconttadlctsnotnegatesconsent,ltsbatpenslt,sttetcbes
andcballengeslt,lttatnsltovettoltsconttatysotbatltsaetsltselftobe
wbatltlsconsentlng. attbeteagaln-tbewotdconsentlngmaycall
fotlttblswoaldlnawaydtawatangenttoCbttlen's tblnklng,Lvety
sensatlonhtstconsentstotbewotld) , ' lfsomanyotbetcontextaalfea-
''Iss/sachsa" :
)
tatesdldnotkeeptbemdlstlnct.htst,tbelttedaclbleplatalltyofbodlesto
wblcbltlsaqaestlonofconsentlngconsentlngtotbebodyandbodles) ,
aplatalltytbatcannotbegatbetedl nadlvlne,Cbtlstlcbodytbatwoaldl n
somewaybeoneandcommon,andsecond,tbetefote,tblsexpetlenceof
tbetecbnlcalattbebeattoftbebeatt,atlmedexpetlencetbatbeatswlt-
ness,atonesttoke,ftomanlndlspatableevent,toanexaspetatedconsent
asfotelgntotevoltastoacceptance.Lacbtbasdealswltbadlffetentyes
otanaltogetbetdlRetentptovenanceoftbesameyes -byessencealways
addtessedtoayoa, a/si.
Lin/asdesctlbestblsconsentlngand exaspetatedexpetlencetbatleads
beyondtevoltandacceptance, batalsobeyondallmetapbyslcsoftbe
ssandsa/a/isn,andtbetefoteCbtlstlandesb.Wbatlsj astastematk-
ablelstblsevldence.acettalndesctlptlonbetebastecoatsetoscbemasand
toalexlcondatlngftombefotetbeopetatlon,we bavevetlhedtbatlt
patstowotkaloglctbatbadlongbeenfotmlzed.
Thus, the multiple sttaugetwho iuttudes upou mylile ,myleeble,wiuded
lile, which attimesslidesiuto amalaisethatvetgesoua simplyastouished
abaudoumeut) isuoueothetthaudeath-ottathet,liledeath.asuspeusiou
olthecoutiuuumolbeiug,ascausiouwheteiulhas/havelittletodo.Reco/t
andaccetanceareeqaa/reig to thesitaation. 8uttheteis uothiugthatis
uotloteigu. The meaus olsutvival themselves, these, h tst olall, ate com-
pletelysttaugewhatcaui tmeautoteplaceaheatt`Thethiugexceedsmyca-
pacitytotepteseutit.,Opeuiugtheeutitethotax,maiutaiuiugtheotgautobe
gtaltediutheptopetstate,citculatiugthebloodoutsideolthebody,sututiug
thevessels . . . . llullyuudetstaudwhysutgeousptocla|mtheiusiguihcauceol
thislastpoiut.thevesselsiuvolvediuthebtidgiuggtaltsatemuchsmallet . . . .
8utitmattetslittle.otgauttausplautimposestheimageolapassagethtough
uothiuguess,olau euttyiutoaspaceemptiedolallptopetty, alliutimacy
ot, ou thecouttaty, the imageolthisspaceiuttudiugiume.oltubes,clamps,
sututes,audptobes. )
vhatis this/ roer"thatitisamattero sacingAtthevetyleast,i t
tutusoutthatitiuuowaytesidesi u m,"/od,itisuotsituatedauywhete,
uoteveuiuthisotgauwhosesymbolicteuowuhaslougbeeuestablished.
,Ouemightsay. still,thete'sthebtaiu. Audolcoutse, ltomtimeto time
the idea ola btaiu ttausplaut euliveus the uews. Humauitywill oue day
doubtlessspeakolthis agaiu. lot themomeut, itisaccepted that thebtaiu
cauuotsutvivewithoutthetestolthebody. Outheothethaud,audtoleave
the mattet hete, the btaiu would pethaps sutvive with au eutite system ol
ttausplautedbodypatts. . . ) .
.
I

c Panc/aa/isns Andsa"
Sboaldn'ttbeself-toacblngyoa bencefottbaccommodatetbesssi-
/i/i/, atleast,oftbls event ,oftbls opetatlon, fotexample) andoftbe
tbnklngdlscoatsetbatlttbas callsfotlsn'ttbesc/istblnklngoftbls
posslbllltylnltself,atleastlfltls c/is)alteadyanlndlspatable,anfot-
gettableevent,wblcblsalwaysanexampledandalwaysteadytodeptlveas
ofafotexample`eventftomwblcbonesboaldtbasalwaysstattand
de-pattagaln-atleastptepate oneselffotanotbet depattate` lotan-
otbettblnklngoftbeevent,oftbesc/ii/ofwbatattlvesandbappens,
andwbatbappens-toyoa.
I} `7nd tO yOu. hc ncacuabc
E\cctitudc, Punctuc/it Punctucticn
Tblnklngofself-toacblngyoa onewll|bavebadtoptepatetblsnow,
someptecaatlonotptotocolwll|bavebadtofotesta||ltsgtammat.
I. One masth tstofal|speakofsxii/andnotssca/ai/, slnce tbe
contact,tbess/sachingandtbess/sachingsaoftbetwobotdets)does
notsabmltto tbepatadlgm ofslgbtottbemlttot oftbespeca|am, ot
sometblngllke tbeeyecanbeat, nomotetbanto tbesystemofpbe-
nomeno|oglca| ,at|eastHassetllan) ptesctlptlonsdlscassedeat|let.Hete,
ontbeconttaty,andtblslstbeonto|oglca|ttanscendentalltyoftbebaptl-
ca|, slgbtlsa toacblng. Tbeqaestlon temalnswbatbappenswben oat
eyestoacb`Anddotbeynottoacbassoonasoat|ookslntetsect,besltat-
lnglnh nlte|ybetweentwoOtlents, between tbevlslbleeye ,wblcbltls
tbetefoteposslb|etotoacb)andtbeseelngeye,wblcblsh nal|y,essentla||y,
abso|atelyantoacbab|e) `
2. Tbess/sachingsatemalnslncalcalab|e.ltwelgbs, battblnklnglt
exceedsltsca|ca|atlon.ltlsneltbetsns,monadlc) ,aslng|eone,aanlqae
se|f-toacblng-oneself,nottbedsa//s,symmettlcal,andaboveal|lmmedl-
atete|atlonofateclptoca|se|f-toacblng-one-anotbetwboselmpetsonal
|awcoaldbeattetedlntbetbltdpetson.Tbedlssymmetty,andtbefact
tbatltlsdoab|edoesnotata|lmakeltsymmettlcal)opensontotbelnac-
cesslb|ettanscendenceofasa,ofyoa,wbodo,es) not|etlt,yoat) self, ls
,ate)ob|lged,owe,s)lth tstofal|todeslte,notto|etltselfevetbeteap-
ptoptlatedlntbemastetlngtedexlvltyoftbese|f,oftbete|atlontoselfof
wbatevettoacbesltse|fandaccedestoselflntbeself-toacblng.Tblslattet
Panc/aa/isns '' Andsa."
yoawlllnevetletltselfbelndectedlnahtstottbltdpetson,slngalatot
platal) ,ltmastemalntbetoacbable,tbatls, antoacbable) poleofavoca-
tlveotanaposttopblzlngaddtess.Tbls lsnotsaidotnotsaldin/hisaa
,lndlstespectofgtammatoatoftespectfottbeotbet) , lnalltbeattet-
ancesaboatself-toacblngtbatwebaveencoantetedaptotblspolnt. at
tbefacttbatlt|snotsaldlntblswaydoesnotmeantbatlttemalnsan-
tboagbt. lt sboald not ptevent as ftom teadlnglttbetewbllepattlng
sometblngofoatownlntolt.
). Tblsefftactlonoftbeotbet, ofwbatcannottetatntoselflstbecon-
dltlonofdeslte,ltlstbebeatt,tblsotganwbosesymbollctenownbaslong
beenestabllsbed. Tbetblnketoftbesyncopelsalsoatblnketoftbedlas-
tole,oftbegapotdllatlonwltboattetatn,oftblss/hshsa/, attbebeatt
ofwblcbtbedlastollcdlRetenceotdlastemadoesnotleltselfbegatbeted
ap otconttacted ln tbe telatlon to self, ln tbesn ofanysystole.Tbls
tblnklngofdllatlonwltboattetatntoself,wltboatexcbange, ofabeatt
wltboatcltcalatlonlstbetblnklngofanabsolategenetoslty, ofagenetos-
ltymotegenetoastbangenetosltyltselfwblcbasltsnamelndlcates,woald
stlllbegenlalandtoonatatal.
Retead-ftom tbe petspectlve ofDescattes's and Nancy's tespectlve
conceptsoftbecltcalatlonofbloodandofgenetoslty-Nancy'sEgs sam,
andL'sxisncsds/a /i/s/,IhsExsisncssFssdsm) ,twogteatbooks,
lnwbattbeyglveonetotblnkaboattbeglh,tbatlstosay,agenetosltyof
nonsabj ectlvefteedom,asaisinggsnsssi//singTblsgenetosltyls
annoancedftomtbevantagepolntofadeatbtbatlsaslnapptoptlableas
blttb,lnan lmmottally'offteedomwblcblsnotasapetnatatalllfe,bat
wblcbfteeslndeatbltselftbeanptecedentedoffetlngofexlstence. `
Onceagaln,tblsgenetosltyofbelngotlentsastowatdwbatl sbeyond
belng, belngs, otessence,ss/sina/s sasias) ltmayseemsatptlslng ln
tbatltletsonetblnkofaglftbeyondbelng,andconnectsgeneslsotgen-
etatlonwltbtblsmovementofabandontbatletsbe-wltboatlt,wltboat
ltself, andwltboatltsotlgln-tbevetytblngltselftowblcbltglvestlse.
lntblsconnectlon,llotlnascltestbeobsetvatlonoftbeanclents _ l . e. ,
llatoRsa//ic.
,
c,,]tbattbeOnel sbeyondtbeessenceHegenetates,
andlsaslaveneltbettoessencenottoblmself.Hewbomadetbeessence
leftltoatsldeblmselfbecaasebebasnoneedofbelng. Latllet,llotl-
nd/ssa"IhsInca/a///s
nasdesctlbestblssamenecesslty-fteedomoftbeOne,bydtawlng-soto
speak-tbeplace oftbeOne, wltbtbebelp ofsttlngbaptlcalh gates
betelscontactottangency, tbetewbetetbedlffetencebetweentbelnslde
andtbeoatsldelsnolongetapettlnent dlstlnctlonotopposltlon. llotl-
nasmakesadtawlng,tben,asltwete,wltbtbebelpofcltcles,ofllnesot
lettets-oftays , gammai ) . And bedoes tbls, as always ln tbese texts,
wblleaposttopblzlngtbeotbet, bellkewlsepanctllloaslyaddtessesblm-
selftoyoa.
Audyouwheuyouseek,seekuothiugoutsidehim,butseekwithiuallthiugs
whichcomealtethim, butleavehimhimsellaloue.lothehimsellistheout-
side,theeucompassmeutaudmeasuteola|l thiugs. Otwithiuiudepth,but
whatisoutsidehim,touchiughimiuakiudolcitcletangentJ Laicommeen
cerc/e} auddepeudiugou him is allwhich is tatioualptiuciple aud iutellect,
but,tathetitwouldbe lutellect iusolatas ittoucheshimaudiutheway
thatitdepeudsouhim, iuthatithasltomhim its beiuglutellect.
Tbebeattoftblsotbetbeattcannotbetoacbed,doesnottoacbi/sslt
sstoacbessa.ltcanonlytoacbltself/betoacbedbyyoateyes.Andtbls
otbetbeatt,mlne,lsnotanotgantbatcanbecatoatofmybody,tbls
beattlstbebody,besays) .atltlsalsonotsometblngelse,ltlsnotahg-
atelnbetlted,ftomtbelble,fotexample)tbatmeanstbecentet,llfe,sach
nsama,spltlt,lntetlotlty, feellng,love.ltlstbebody, ltlstbebeattlnso-
fatasltlsyoatsbelonglngtome mua/isn//si} , tbeotbetbeatt,tbe
beattoftbeotbet,tbeewbetetbespltltaalhgate,tbelnbetltedmeton-
ymy, toacbestblsbeatt,mybody, lnmybody, andcannolongetbedls-
soclatedftomlt.
lnotdetfottbetetobetblsbeatt,tblsgoodbeatt,tbeposslbllltyoftbe
badbeattmasttemalnfotevetssn-wblcblstosaytoltselfasaltogetbet
,any) otbet.Abeattwoaldnotbegoodanlessltcoaldbeotbet,bad, tad-
lcally,angia/qbad,teadyfotanylnhdellty,anytteacbetyandpetjaty
,wblcbwebavepteclselyllnkedwltbanlnevltable-lmposslblevowofab-
stlnenceandtbaswltbtbesttactateoftbeantoacbable'sandtbetactlle's
fate)-andtbetefoteanlessonecoaldbaveacbangeofbeatt.
Webavetoknow,wbentbetlmecomes,bowtobaveacbangeofbeatt.
TblsmaybebowonecanttanslatetbeanalyslslnIhsExsisncssFss-
dsm ofmallgnancy,dlabollcalwlckedness,andtadlcalevll,ln sbott,wbat
Kanttetmstbeevllbeatt. Tblsmaybeawayofotlentlngtbeteadlngof
tbetlcblycomplex,ndamentalcbaptettltledLvll. Declslon. Consld-
Panc/aa/isns Andsa"
etlngwbatbas been saldbeteaboattbecatnal,otesb chai , sacb a
teadlngwoaldespeclallydwellontbepassagellnklngtbemotlfofanpat-
donable evllwltb anoteaboat tbe _concenttatlon} camps~catnallty
tbatlshetcelytenacloas_acbatnsmsn} ,wastlngaway_cbatnsmsn} ,and
beapedlnamassgtave banis .
q. Atstakelstbepleasatetakenlnpleasate saids/saissancs.Wbat
pleasesaswbenoateyestoacb`Tbatlswbatlwashnallyasklngyoa.
Nancy'stesponseTotakepleasate_sailsattbehsa/oftbedlalec-
tlcadlastolewltboatsystole. Tbebeattstblsotbetdlalectlc ,dlastole
wltboatsystole ,namely,tbepleasateoftaklngpleasate,lstbebeattltself,
namely, tbls otbet beatttbatself-toacbesyoa, tbat belongstoyoa, tbat
glvespleasateonlytbetewbetepleasatelsmadealltbemotelntenseby
nottetatnlngtome,bytetatnlngtomewltboattetatnlngtome,tbete
wbetelself-toacbyoa.
Tbeecstatlcandbaptlcalai/hsa/oftbeai/hsa/tetatnlngtoselfls
wbatlntettaptstbecltcalatlonlntblsbeatt,tblsotbetbeatt,wblcblstosay
alsowbatmakesltbeatwltbabeatlngtbatlsnolonget,basnevetbeentbe
tegalat altetnatlon ofsystoleanddlastole.Wbatlntettapts cltcalatlon ls
wbatmakestbebeattbeatandlt'syoa,tbesaofself-toacblng-yoa.Heem-
pbaslzestbewotdbeatt.onlytbepleasate/palnofasstoacblng' _d'an
ss-toacbet} ,Otyetagaln.ofatemalnlng-selfotabecomlng-selfai/hsa/
tetatnlngtoselTotakepleasatesailsattbehsa/oftbedlalectlcadl-
astolewltboatsystoletblsbeattlstbebody) ,Nancy, Csas,p.)
) .
ndyoa, s//si. tbeseate, beltnoted, tbelastwotds ofbls Csas.
Cotpaslswltbln Csastbemisssna/msoftbetltleattbebeadoftbe
lastopages.lnlt,wecanplckoatpteclselytbatwblcbcannotbeplcked
apotsablated,aas/sn) ,tbatlstosay,tbedlssemlnatlonofessence,oftbe
One,andofwbatconfetsOnenessontbeelngof wbatevetltmaybe.at
tblsdlssemlnatlonlsnottledtoanytblngllketbebody, tbevetybodyi/-
sstbebelng-bodyoftbebody, tbebelngptopetlytbebodyptopet./hs
esb. lltstofall,dlssemlnatlonplatallzesanyslngalatltytbatallowsone
tosaytbe /s"sa/",toatlllzeanattlcletbatlsdeh nlteotdehnlngfot
wbatevetltmaybewbosevetybelngltself, anlvetsalessence,otlndlvldaal
sabstancecoaldtbasbedeslgnatedptopetlyasi/sscs/amcms} ,fotex-
ampletbebody,tbesenseoftoacb,/hs_la} desb, andsofottb.Now,
be tetmscsastblssablatlngdlssemlnatlontbatdoes notcomeapontbe
bodybywayoftbebody. Hegatbets,wltboatgatbetlng,atoandtbewotd
nd/ssa "IhsInca/a/a//s
csas,wblcbcanaboveall notbe ttanslatedmetelyasbody _css , all
tbeways ofspeaklngtbat cometotelloftblsdlssemlnatlon.Tblslstbe
passage tbat opens tatbettban closeswltb andyoa attbehnal endof
Csas.We mlgbtsaytbattblsh nalandendlesspassagelsasssnssand
cottespondstotbeptogtammatlcannoancementattbebeglnnlngoftbe
book. letTbeteeWtltlngtbeody, lettbetebewtltlng,nota/sa/
tbebody, battbebodyltself ,lbld. ,p. .Tblsptogtamofmodetnlty
maltlplledltsbaptlca|lnjanctlonstotbepolntwbeteltmadetbemsboal-
det,allatonce,tbeentltetesolatlonandtbeentltetesponslbllltyofaself-
dlssolatlon.Ontwopages,fotexample,batwewoaldbavetopatsaetbls
tbtoagboattbebook) .
Wtitiug.to touch ou exttemity.Audhowis oue to touch upou thebodyiu-
steadolsigui[iugitotmakiugitsigui[`. . . howisouetotouchupouthe
body`. . . touchiugouthebody, touchiugthebody, toachingatlast-hap-
peusallthetimeiuwtitiug . . . . touchiugthebody,ottathettouchiugthisot
thatsiugulatbody)aiththeincororea/olseuse, audcousequeutly, making
theincoorea/toaching, ottutuiugsenseiutoatouch anetoache}.
. . . 8y esseuce, wtitiug touches upou the body . . . . Wtitiug touches ou
bodiesinaccornceaiththea/so/ate/imitthatsepatatestheseuseolthelot-
metltomtheskiuaudtheuetveeudiugsolthelattet. Nothiugcomestoass,
audthatiswheteit touches. ,ibid. , pp. izi,)
atattbevetymomentwbenbeseemsaboattoglvelntoabaptlcal
lnd atlon, Nancyknows,bettettbananyone,nottoctedlttbesenseof
toacbwltbanysemantlccapltal.Noneoftbesenseslsassasd, evenlflt
canbeqaotedlntbestockmatket.Nancyoftentepeatstbls. lcboosetbls
passagebecaaselnltbeassoclatesactltlqaeoftbeptesapposedimmsdi-
acofcatnalot spltltaaltoacblng,wblcbconcetnedas ln tbeptecedlng
cbaptets)andactltlqaeoftbeldeologlesoftbebody,afotme,lwoald
moteblantlysaytbepbllosopblesoftbebody) .
As wehavealteadysaid,thetouchol thisthiukiug-thescalesol thisuetve-
metet cse-ne thatitmustbeotitisuothiug-doesuotbelougtoauim-
mediacythatisautetiotaudextetiottoseuse. ltis, outhecouttaty, thevety
limitolseuse-audthelimitolseuseistobetakeuiuallseuses,eacholwhich
bteaksiutotheothet . . . .
8utouemustuottheteloteexteudtotouchtoosimpleacredit,aud,most
impottaut,ouemustuotbelievethatouecouldtouchtheseuseoltouch,iu-
solatasitsetsalimitouseuse,s) .Thisisatathetcommouteudeucyolthe
,
Panc/aa/isns Andsa."
most tobustideologiesolthe body, that is, the ctudest oues ,olthe type
musclebouudthiukiugotsactedheattthiukug,vitalo-spititualistlascism
-with,uodoubt,itstealaudsectethottotolbodies) . ,ibid. ,pp. |o-|i)
Tbecontlnuatlonoftbesamecbaptetdesctlbesacettalnmoblle. . . ca-
tess,tbetoucbesofpleasutetaklngpleasuteln_danssaissancsqaisai/}
tbeyes ,tbeyes' sai tbatsai/) ,andtbls consentlng tbat notonly
saysss to sense, to tbe senses, to tbetoucbes amongtbembywayof
wblcbtbeytoucb,dlvlde,andsbatetbemselves,butalsototbecommlt-
mentofwbosenseslnwbatbeotsbesenses,toblsotbetconsentlngand
co-appeatanceAndtbete-botbtbtougbtblsconsentlngandtbeexample
oftbe vlslble-tbetangencywltbMetleau-ontyotCbttlenlsalltoo
obvlous,fotexample.Compllclty, consentlng.tbeonewboseescsasas
wltbwbatbeotsbesees _lbld. , p. |)} ) . utbete,toomucb/sca/evldence
tlsksconceallngtbedis/ancstbatsetsblmapattandtbatweatecontlnually
measutlng.Hlswtltlnglmplementstblsdlsctepancy, awtltlngtbatlsen-
gaglnglnlts fotm ,lts tone, connotatlons, setup, mlse-en-scneoftbe
scene,lndeedlnob-scene.fottblsdlsctepancyalsotutnslntosttonglan-
guage _ca/sds /angags} andlnventlvelanguage) ,beyondtbeextetnalsut-
face,tbesuttoundlngsandwtapplngsoftbougbt.Tblswtltlngsngagsstbe
bodyoftbougbtandtbougbtasbody,pteclsely,fotwbatlsatlssuelsaself-
seeklngbody, abodytotblnkotptomlse,abodytocome.
ltmaybetlmetomakeapolnt,wblcblsmotetbanametetecbnlcallty,
abouttblsdlsctepancyandtbedlstancebetweenNancy'scotpusandtbe
wotkofalltbeotbetswebavebltbetto toucbedon. Sofat, lnotdetto
matkouttblsdlffetenceandtoptetendtbatltcouldbeassembled, lnot-
detto lnslst, lbaveoftenlnvokeda tecbnlcal dlmenslon ,ptostbeses,
ttansplants,metonymlcsubstltutes, andsofottb) . Nancy's constantat-
tentlontoltdlstlngulsbesblstblnklngontoucblng,andtbetefoteabout
tbetestaswell) , ltseemsto me. utmostoften, notalways, lnsteadof
tbetecbnlcal,of/schn,andtecbnologyoteventbequestlonoftecb-
nlcs, l baveptefettedto quoteNancyandsay /schnoftbe body ot
ecotecbnlcs, andtblswaslnotdettofollowblmandwatnagalnsttbe
genetal-slngulat,tbetecbnlcal)andagalnstamodetndsxaalwaysptone
tomlsuslngtblsconceptualbentotallbl. lltstofallletmetefettowbat
NancyblmselfsaysabouttblslnAllnlteTblnklng. Agaln,becallsfot
vlgllanceastegatdstecbnologyasafetlsb-wotd. Andtoplnpolntj ust
onewotdlntblstlcb,necessaty, andcomplexanalysls,wblcbsbouldbe
nd/ssa"IhsInca/a/a//s
examlnedmoteclosely) , l sball metelyqaote tbe followlngsentenceln
wblcbwecantecognlzeoneofNancy'styplcalgestates,ofwblcbweal-
teadyfoandagoodnambetofeamples.Tbesentenceconfotmsltselfto
tbetyplcalsyntagmaTbetelsnotbe'. . . , bete.Andtblslswbytbete
lsnotbe'tecbnlcal,metelyamaltlpllcltyoftecbnologles. Latllet,bebas
matkedblsanalyslswltbtbesetwootbetptoposltlons. Tbe'tecbnlca|ls
notblng otbettban tbe tecbnlqae'scompensatlng fot tbe nonlmma-
nenceofexlstence ln tbeglven, ot. Tbe' tecbnlcal-andetstoodtbls
tlmeastbeessentlal'tecbnlcltytbatlsa/sstbelttedaclblemaltlpllcltys
tecbnologles-compensatesfottbeabsenceofns/hing, lthllslnfotand
sapplementsns/hing.
/ tegatdstblsexample-anexemplatyexample,pteclselymotetbanan
example-lamtemptedtoaptbeanteallttlemote.Tbetbetelsnote'
tecbnlcallsn'tj astanotbettbetelsnotbe'. . . amongotbets, otj asta
sampleln abomogeneoassetles. Ratbet, andettbls name otanotbet, lt
woald glveasaptlvllegedaccess toall tbe tbete ls o tbe' . . . 's, and
tbastosometblngllketbeessenceoftbetecbnlcal tbatpteclselytbete
ls not Hence a qaasl-ttanscendental dlzzlness. lot tbls ls tbe ptocess
openlngontotbeposslbllltyofasapplementatysabstltatlon, ontoame-
tonymytbatcomptomlsestbeanltyotonenessptopetofessences.ltlsbe-
caasetbetelsssms_dsla}tecbnlcal,wblcbtbetelsnot)tbattbetelsn'ttbls
ottbat,andsofottb,andtbatonecanlnhnltelytepeatotmaltlplyexam-
plesandgestatestbatdeconsttacttbesanltyottbeptopetnessi/ssof
allessencesotevenallbelngs.
Nancy's deconsttactlng gestate tbas often lnsctlbes ltselfwltbln tbe
fotmoftbetbetelsnotbe' . . . , andwecanpetcelveltsnecesslty. at
Nancyblmselfknowstbatonebastoasecannlng,makedeals, andnego-
tlatewltblt.Tblsnecessltycoalddeptlveblmofanyconceptaaldetetml-
natlonandvlttaallyanydlscoatse-otbandovetdlscoatsetotbemostlt-
tesponslbleempltlclsm.Soctatesbasbeenteacblngastblsfottboasandsof
yeats.Hewoaldsayl 'mnotasklngyoafotanenametatlonoftecbnlqaes,
bat fot wbat yoa mean to saywben yoa tetm tbem tecbnlqaes ln tbe
platal. ln wbatwayate tbey tecbnlqaes`Andso fottb. Tbe dehnlte ot
dehnlngattlclelsalteadyengagedotteqaltedbytedlscoatsetbatdls-
pateslt.ltlswltbtblsllmlttbatNancygtapples,wltblntblsttansactlon,ln
tblswtestllngmatcb oftblnklng. And deconsttactlon, too. No, decon-
sttactlons,becaaseneltbetlstbete,lntbehtstplace,anytbedeconsttac-
tlon.Wtltlngtbls,lpetcelvetbattbesyntagmatbatbaslmposedltselfon
:
:
z Panc/aa/isns And sa"
metbesepastfewyeats ,otdecades) ,evend l lnslstedontbemaltlpllclty
ofdeconsttactlons,basn'tbeentbetelsnotbe'. . . batlftbetelsany
_s sna ,tbepateandancondltlonallnsomanyfotms.event,lnventlon,
glft, fotglvlng,wltnesslng,bospltallty, andsoon-lftbetelsany) . Lacb
tlme,ltwasnecessatytopolnttotbeposslble,tbecondltlonofposslblllty)
astotbelmposslbleltselAndlftbetelsanydoesn'tsaytbetelsnone,
battatbet,tbetelsn'tanytblngtbatcoaldmaketoomfotanyptoof,knowl-
edge, constatlveottbeotetlcaldetetmlnatlon,j adgment-especlallynot
anydetetmlnlngj adgment.ltlsanotbetwayoflndectlngtbetbetelsno
tbe.
,
ltlsn'ttbesame,pteclsely, fotbeteatetolttedaclblydlRetentde-
consttactlvegestates.Tbefacttemalnstbattblsmaltlpllcltyannoanceslt-
self deconsttactlve. ltlsnecessatytoaccoantfottbls analogyotafhn-
lty, tosaydeconsttactlon lntbeslngalatagaln, lnotdettosayltlntbe
platal,lntbeslngalatplatal -andexplalnatleastwbylntbetwosyn-
tagmas, tbetbetels tatns/sacsndi/isna/,lftbete lsany) lnone ln-
stanceandtoansga/ismsda/i/,tbetelsno. . . )lntbeotbet.Tbeany
_ofsometblng _sn ,lftbetelsany)pteclselytefetstowbattbetelsnot,
commandedbytbedeh nlngattlcle,tbetelsnotbe'. . . ).Satelynot,not
sately.Onecoalddtawmanyaddltlonalconseqaencesftomtblsdlscasslon
tbassketcbed-fot example, lfonesald, fotall tboseteasons. Yes, bat
tbetelsno/hsdeconsttactlonof_/hs} Cbtlstlanlty_ s'chis/ianisms

be-
caasetbetelsn'tandnevetbasbeeneltbetatbedeconsttactlonotatbe
Cbtlstlanl ty.
AndNancybaswtltten, moteovet. Tbetels tbattbetels.cteatlonof
tbewotld,Csas,p. |) .
let's comebackto yoa. To andyoa. To ltspanctaatlon-wblcb
coantsandsc/isqdetetmlnestbetone, tbe gestate, andtbeaddtess,
catsbottonlybytbetallngtbatcomesftomtbeotbet.ftomyoa.
Howdoestbeandyoa. _sic atlse,yoafollowedbyapetlod) `How
doestblsaposttopblzlngcometocloseandsaspendattbesametlme
saspendlngwltboatsaspendlng, saspendlngand stopplngsbott` How
doesltcometodeclde,totatntowatdsatbelastcbaptet,wblcblspte-
clselytltledCotpas, lnamisssna/ms`ylntettaptlngasetles,aklnd
ofetc. , bylntettaptlngtbesaspenslonpolnts,wblcbnolongetappeat
astbeydldlnoateatlletqaestlonlngoftbetactllecotpas`ndyoa.
_sic closesacbaptettbatstattedwltbtbetemlndettbat.Tbetel s notbe'
body,tbetelsnotbe'senseoftoacb,tbetelsnotbesssx/snsa, Nancy,
Csas, p. i| . Abodylsanlmageoffetedtootbetbodles,awbolecot-
nd/ssa"IhsInca/ca/a//s
pas oflmages sttetcbedftom bodytobody colots,localsbadows,ftag
ments, moles, ateolas, balf-moons _/ana/ss , h ngetnalls, body balt, ten-
dons, skalls, tlbs, pelvlses, bellles, meatases, ftotbs, teats, teetb, foams,
clefts, blocks,tongaes,sweats, llqalds _/iqasas} , velns, palns, andj oys,
andme, andyoa ,Csas, p. tc
,
) .
Lndo f book.Tblsmaltlpllcltyteslststbelnh nlte,l t hnltelyteslststbe
lnh nlteandlnh nltelycballengesevetyptesapposedanltyofwbatevetlt
maybe-self,bodyptopet,andd esb.Andoftbeband,lwoaldadd.at
tbedecldedlyh nltesetlesdoesn'tspteadoatlnapatelytandomway, fot
tbatmattetltlsai//sn,ltwtltesltselfsympbonlcally,sbatlngvolces)to-
watdajoytbatatonce tecallstbeyesofpleasate,tbe saitbatsai/.
Tbe hnal syllables openap tbe volce _six , leave open tbepassagebat
patt tbe way _sis tbas opened, tbey patt tbe llps ofa moatb fall
ofj oyandpleasate, towatdme, nodoabt~batlntbeendftommeto
yoa. . . . andj oys,andme,andyoa. Wotds-batamoatbbefoteotal-
lty. klsslng. Tben slnglng ot speaklng. Tbese offetlngs, anytblng and
evetytblngwbatsoevet belng offeted, bodles, pleces ofa body not ln
plecesotsbatds,tblswotld,tbesesbated-oatwotldsdonotblngbatfelgn
empltlcal accamalatlon. Appatently, lt ls a beadlong contagloas aban
donedtbtast,agenetalcontamlnatlon, andyetevetytblngtemalnsex
actlycalcalated.
Fis/sa/ ln tbls genetoas ptofaslon, among all tbe glotlh ed glfts,
tbetelstbellmltandtbebotdet,wblcbatenotblng,batmakepossl-
bleanyglftwbatsoevet-lftbetelsany.
And/hsnall tbewotds-sowell cbosen, ln allsttbat lsboandtostop
, botdetandllmltoftbeetc.)-atelntbe/aaexceptmsiand/si,and
me, andyoa. landyoa-tbatlsevenmoteslngalattbanlotyoa. Sln-
galatplatalslngalat.
,
. Ofcoatse,noneoftbls takesplace,andhtstofall tbls lntettaptlon
,dlastoleai/hsa/systole) ,exceptbytlsklngdeatbatevetymoment.Tbls
otbetbeattself-toacbesyoaonlytobeexposedtodeatb.We atebeteat
tbe beatt ofani/s/hin/ing. Tbe beatt lsalways ofahnltetblnklng. lt
tblnks,fottbebeattlstbeplaceoftblnklngandnotonlytbeplaceoffeel-
lng,love,deslte,lnltah nltetblnklnglstboagbt.Yoaate/lsalsomydeatb.
Yoa,yoakeepltfotme,yoakeepmeftomltalwaysallttle,ftomdeatb.
Keepmeftomltstlllallttlelonget, lfyoaplease,j astallttlelonget, keep
meftomltasmacbasposslble,aswellasposslble,aslongasposslble.
Panc/aa/isns Andsa"
llnally, lsn't wbat tbe beatt names tbe ultlmate place ofabsolute
moutnlng,tbesanctuatyofwbatonekeepswbenonecannolongetkeep
anytblng-keeplnsldeoneselasoneoftensays,tonamewbatlnhnltely
exceeds tbelnslde`Tbesenslblebut lnvlslbleand untoucbableplace fot
wbatone not onlykeeps commlttedtomemoty, not onlylnoneself,but
lnyoutselflnmyself,wbenyouategteatetstlll,abeattlnmegteatettban
mybeatt,moteallvetbanl,moteslngulatandmoteotbettbanwbatlcan
antlclpate,know, lmaglne,teptesent,andtemembet`Wbenmybeattls
htstofalltbebeattoftbeotbet,andtbetefote,yes,gteatettbanmybeattln
mybeatt`
l tenounce speaklng all ofNancy's beatt, all ofNancy's beatts , cot
tuummondumesttotumtuum) , andaskteadetstogobeyond Rlm-
baud's} Lstolenbeattontbeltown,atleasttoNancy's} TbeHeattof
Tblngs, ' ' toSbattetedlove, wblcbcomptlsesasectlononTbeHeatt.
token. ` lnpasslng,tbeywlllcomeactossanovetabundanceofbaptlcal
hgutestbete.
. Onebastoundetstandwbatlsbelngtbougbtabouthnltudelntbls
exttaotdlnatylnventlonofagtammatotasyntactlcanomaly.ss/sachs
/siandnotss/sachsssiotevenss/sachs/ai, s//s sa /'aa/s, tbat ls, to
self-toucbyouandnottotoucboneselfoteventotoucbblm,bet,ot
tbeotbet .tblslnventlon exsctlbes,lthndsawayofmaklngwtltlngcome
outofltselfbymatklngtbatyou,bete,wlllnevetbeaslmplemedlatlon
lnateapptoptlatlngmovementofself-ptesence.You, mettonomeofmy
betetonomy,youwlllalwaysteslsttbatwblcb,lnmyself-toucblng,could
dteamoftbetedexlveotspeculatautonomyofself-ptesence,belttbatof
tbeDassin) otofself-consclousness,absoluteknowledge.Tbelntettup
tlonoftbedlalectlc,wblcbdoesnotexcludetbedlalectlc,nomotetban
KletkegaatdevetdldattbebelgbtofblsaltetcatlonwltbHegel.andtak-
lngpleasute lsat tbe beattoftbedlalectlc, saysNancy) lsyou, wben l
self-toucbyouTbatlswbylloveyou, andsometlmessopalnfully,attbe
beattofpleasuteltself.Andlfl lnslstbeteontblslntettuptlonoftbete-
dexlvltytbatlsanabsolutespeculatltyattbebeattoftbeself-toucblng,lt
lsbecauseonlytoucb ,contact,catess,klss)can,as self-toucblng-you,
lntettupttbemlttottedectlonlnltsvlsual-oculatotoptlcal,otbaptlcal
-dlmenslon.
batlswbywebeganwltbtbeklssoftbeeyes.tbemeetlngoflooks,eyes
tbat see tbemselves ln tbe eyes oftbe otbetsbouldbeanexampleoftbe
nd/ssa."IhsInca/a/a//s
self-toucblng-youand bepattoftactlleexpetlence,lnsbott,tbeysbould
lnvolveskn-acatessotaklss,eyesklssedbyeyes-lfdeslteotlovepassed
tbtougb tbem. twbenwe say/ss, we mustnevetexcludeftomlt, of
coutse,tbatmodalltyca|ledbate,jealousy,deatbdealttotbeotbet,toyou,
attbevetymomentlnwblcblask,Keepmeallttleftomdeatb.
lf onefollowedtbtougballtbeconsequencesof tblsbypet-ttanscendental-
ontologlzatlon of/ac/,tatbet tban /saching) , one would bave tosay of
speecblngenetalwbatbasj ustbeen saldofslgbt.onlytbess/saching
sa,andnotoneself)can lntettupttbeteapptoptlatlonottbeabsolute
ted ectlonofself-ptesence, putellfeotputedeatbltlsalways, lnh nltely,
tbe sametblng) . Wben l speaktoyou, l toucbyou, and you toucbme
wbenlbeatyou,ftombowevetfatoffltcomestome,andevenlfltlsby
telepbone,tbetecollectlonofavolce'slndectlonontbepbone,otbylet-
tetote-mall,too.utofcoutse,lnotdetfotmetobetoucbedlntblsway
byyou,l bave to be able totoucbmssln tbe self-toucblng-you, tbe
selflsaslndlspensableasyou.Abelnglncapableoftoucblngltselfcould
not bend ltselfto tbatwblcb absolutelyunfolds lt, to tbe totallyotbet
wbo,astotallyotbetllkeallotbetscsmms/sa/aa/s} lnbabltsmybeatt
asasttanget.Tbetelsn'tanyantbtopologlcalllmltbete,andtblssbouldbe
valld,sn/hssnshandfotallanlmalotdlvlne/,andcsnssqasn/sn
/hss/hshandmaketbellfeoftbellvlnglngenetaladetlvatlveconcept
wltbtegatdtotblsposslbllltyofself-toucblng-you. ,ldontknowwbetbet
Nancywouldstlllgtantmetblsmucbbete. )
ltlsnecessatytolovesnssssachs/hs_i/a/s' aims} , says evetyl
loveyou, andwltbouttbls ,lmposslble) auto-affectlon,wltbouttbete-
dectedexpetlenceoflmposslbleauto-affectlon,wltbouttbeotdealoftbe
posslbllltyoftblslmposslblllty, tbetewouldbenolove.' ltlsnecessatyfot
ustoloveoutselves-eacb-otbet.llfauts'almet-yetanotbetpleceof
good fottune ln ltencb gtammat, wblcb puts ttansltlvlty ln tedexlvlty,
tlgbtattbetedexlvefotm,andlndlssoclatestbemfotevet-atleastlflt ls
necessaty,andwantlng.
Wbencetbeall-powetfulloglcofnatclsslsm. notasexpetlenceoftbe
gaze,butastbepalnfullyltonlcdlscoutseoftbeconfesslontbatmlmlcs
tbeapptoptlatlonoftbeunapptoptlable,you,myLcbo, wbenyoutuse,
asldo,wltbtbedlvlnelntetdlctlon,wbenyoudecelveltlnotdettospeak
lnyoutownnameandtodeclateunttanslatablysalovewblleptetend
lngtotepeattbeendofmysentences.Aslbavedoneatlengtbelsewbete,
l couldlnvokeOvldotNovallsbete, butl cboosetbelattetbecausemy
Panc/aa/isns '' Andsa.
tbemelstbeklssftomyoa/ofyoa. Oneougbtnevettoconfessone'slove.
Tbesectetofthlsconfesslonlstbevlvllngptlnclpleoftbeonlyttueand
etetnallove.Tbehtst klss lntblscomptebenslonlstbeptlnclpleofpbl-
losopby-tbeotlglnofanewwotld-tbebeglnnlngofanabsoluteeta
tbe act tbat accompllsbes an alllancewltb self _Ss//s//and tbat gtows
endless.Wbowould not llkeapbllosopbywbose ketnel lsahtstklss` '
tetwblcb,onemustbastentospecl.
A. Tbe ptlnclple ofpbllosopby ls not pbllosopby. Tbe lattet, wblcb
comesahetltsptlnclple,mlgbttbetefoteconslstlnnomotetbanaftenzled
fotgettlngoftbehtstklss. l, tbepbllosopbet,bypotbetlcally, tuntocatcb
tbetecollectlonoftbehtstklss.Wouldlhavetakenlt`Wasltglventome`
Andlnolongetknowtbedlffetencebetweenklsslng,ontbemoutb,fote-
bead, eyes,andsofottb) andblesslng-fotexample,tbetecollectlonofa
klssbefotetbeklss.
. Tbls lattet, as auto-heteto-affectlon, lnaugatatesall expetlence, ln
pattlculatspeecbandtbedeclatatlonoflove,ltdoesnotbtlngclosetonly
llps,mytwollpstotbetwollpsandtotbetongaeoftbeotbet,butevety-
tblngoftbe body tbat lets ltselfbe toacbedln tblswaybyauto-beteto-
aRectlon.fotexample,oateyes.
|. Novallssayselsewbete. Tbeautbentlcpbllosopblcalact_sch/shi/s-
sshischsA// lssalcldeSs//s//c/ang tbatlstbetealbeglnnlngofallpbl-
losopby-wbeteevetyneedoftbepbllosopblcaldlsclple _dsshi/sssh-
ischsnangss} wlll lead blm-and onlytbls act cottesponds to all tbe
condltlonsandcbatactetlstlcsofttanscendentactlon _otttanscendental.
ds/anscsndsn/snHand/ang . `
Wbattemalns tobe tbougbt/sgs/hsl s tbehtstklssandsalclde, tbe
ptlnclpleandtbeactofautbentlcpbllosopby, tbeltyoatbandtbeltdlscl-
pllne,tbeactandtbeactlon.Tbelmposslbletaskofagenetalbaptology.
. Tblsaasi-bypet-ttanscendental-ontologlzatlon oftact,andnotof
toucb) masttemalnpatadoxlcal.ltsxsci/ssltselflnsteadoflnsctlblngot
wtltlngltself.lottbatwblcbtoucbesonltottbataboutwblcbonespeaks
lnspeaklngoftoucblsalsotbein/angi//s.o toacbwltbtactlstotoach
wltboattoacblngtbatwblcbdoesnotletltselfbetoucbed. toembtace
nd/ssa"IhsInca/ca/a//s z,
eyes, lnawotd ,ot lnsevetal wotds, and tbewotdalwaysbtlngstoyout
eattbemodesttesetveofaklssontbemoutb) .To toucbastactls,tbanks
to you, because ofyou, to bteakwltb lmmedlacy, wltb tbe lmmedlate
glven wtonglyassoclated wltb toucb and onwblcb all bets ate always
placed,asonself-ptesence,byttanscendentalldeallsm,Kantlanot Hus-
setllanlntultlonlsm)otbyontology, tbetblnklngoftbeptesenceofbe-
lngsotofbelng-/hssassachlnltselng,tbetblnklngoftbebodyptopet
otofdesb.
. lbavej ustgonetooqulckly. lnotdettodemonsttatetbattbegteat
tblnketoftouch lslntetested,aslshnallyonlytlght, lnnotblngbuttbe
lntanglble-and tbls ls not sometblngelse-onewouldbave to tblnk,
onceagaln,towelgbbete,towelgbsxac/wbatbesaysabouttbetelatlon
between /hin/ingand asighing One wouldbave to tead and medltate
betestepbystepLssidsd'anssnss_TbeWelgbtofaTbougbt andln
pattlculatltsopenlng,wbeteNancytellsuswbattotblnkaboutthefact
tbatLtymologytelatestblnklng_snss} towelghlng_sss}
_ ' I O
Exac/. onecannotovetempbaslzetbeconcetn tbatNancy, tbeman
andtbetblnket,basfotsxac/i/ads. Onebastoknowhlmwell.venwben
beovetstepstbebounds,asbemust,andopenshlmselfuptoexcess,to
exaggetatlon,ecstasy, ex-sctlptlon,belsss/onglvlngblmselfovettolt
bestandsbylt-notonlywltbtbeptoblty,Rsd/ich/si/) tbathebasspo-
kenofsopteclsely, butwltbaslngulatexactltudetbatlsnotnecessatlly
opposedtotlgot,asotbetsbavemalntalned. HussetlotHeldegget,fotex-
ample,llmlttbeexacttotbeob ectlveandcalculablefotmofquantltatlve
measute,ofawbat) , fotgettlngtbatexactltudecanalsobeavlttue,tbe
telatlonofawhotoawbom) .
Nancysaysbotb-tbeexactltudeofmeasuteandtbatofthepetson,to
Geotges _amanpbotogtapbsofwbomappeatlnLssidsd'anssnss
Ttans. . Youateexact-utmostptalse) .
Exac/i/adsbete desctlbesexactly ,sxac/. ln acottectmannet,a/s) an
acute,lnclslve,pteclsepunctuallty, asatthedtlvlngpenpolntofthedtaw-
lng,sxac/, ftomsxigs, sxags. topusb,h nlsb, tequlte _sxigs} , measute,
tule) , tbefalthfulpunctualltyofonewbo commltsblmselfto beattbe
tendezvoussn/imsandtbustespects, fottbatwblcbconcetns _sgads}
tbeotbetwbenllookatblmandbe looksat me,all tbedetetmlnatlons,
llmlts,contouts.tbemostexlgenttespectfot/ha/ahihisinqass/isnahsn
)| Panc/aa/isns ndsa."
i/isaqass/isnsac/ingcedont lls'agltquand lls'agltd'aglt-andact-
lngsn/imswblcbbasnevetmeantallatonceotlmmedlately.
Tbosewbo atelntetestedlnNancy's exactltudewlll ndcontmatlon
ofwbatlamsaylngattbeexacttlpofblspen,exactlyacutellketbebeam
ofasca|etbatlsasj ustasj ustlce,fotexamplelnLssidsdanssnss be-
glnnlngwltbtbeend,ontbebackcovetoftbeotlglnalbook.Tbougbt
welgbsexactlytbewelgbtofsense, asentencetbatsaysexactlyltsdis/a-
/ancsbetween/ansi/ii/andin/ansi/ii/otevensxii/, fottblnk-
lngwelgbsi/sslnwelgblngwbatltlswelgblng.doestbougbtwelgb. . .
tbewelgbtofsense, bavlngtbetefotetbesamewelgbt`Otdoesltwelgb
. . . tbe welgbt ofsense, bavlng tbetefote not tbe same welgbt slnce lt
welgbslt,tbatls,evaluateslt,measuteslt`Tbeanswet.exactly'Wltblntbe
samebook, tbepbotogtapbsofCssgss ateexactltudeltse|f. ltlsexactly
blm andltlstbeexactlmageofexactltude tbat lstbelaw. , Wltblnten
pages. Tbepbotowastakenj ustbefote,exactly,Tbepbotosbowsbow
exactyouate.Youlookexactlylntotbelens,youknowexactlywbatlt'sa|l
aboutyoutlmage, Onceagaln, youlooksoexactly lnto tbelens tbat
onebastbefeellngofbelng,notlookedat,butmeasutedwltbgteatpte-
clslon, Youate oneoftbe mostexactlyteal petsons tbat l baveevet
known,Youateplaylngyouttoleexactly,Geotges. )

Asfotblsmostexttaotdlnatytecoutse,tbatls,vetyexactlysupetlatlve,
exact|yexaggetated,totbeexcess,exactly,tbatentetslntotbeexlgencyof
exactltude,betelsanotbetexamp|e. Ihsasigh/sa/hsagh/lsvetyexactly
tbe lnapptoptabllltyofapptoptlatlon, ot tbelmptoptletyoftbeptopet
,ptopettotbeptopetltselabsolutely) .
Howcananyonesaysxac/q,wblcbdoesnotmeanssq)-ocould
anyonesaytbelmptopetandlnapptoptlable,sxac/q`Howcananyonesay
tbatsxac/q`Well,llkeblm,j ustasbedoes.
He, Nancy-wbo alsoknowsbowto affecttbls exactly wltb some
negatlon,wblcblsj ustasexact.ltlsn'texactly. . . , tbetelsn'texactly
anymote. . . . Tbetwo examples lbavej ustquoted comeftoma))
texttbatsttangelyannouncesin/asandmakesabeattappeat,otdlsap-
peat,undettbebteast. Ofcoutse, ltlsalsoapbllosopblcalpoemabout
toucb,tact,ottbecatess.Tbus,apatagtapblnanaissancsdssssinsTbe
lttbofteasts,ot,Wbeteteastsegln, ot,WbeteteastsAteotn
Ttans. ,yeatsaftetblsbeattttansplant,setlouslyplaysatplaylngoff
tbe bteast agalnst tbebeatt, undet tbeptetext,as onesays, tbattbe|attet
canbettansplantedandtbefotmetnot.
And/ssa"IhsInca/a/a//s z)
Somethiugtises-itissiuuouswithoutiusiuuatiou. Suddeulysomethiugis
gtippiug,somethiuguugtaspable movesthe chest, somethiugothetthauthe
heatt. Heattsateuothiugbutelastic muscle beatiug iutimeptecisely Heatts
have uo emotiouwhatsoevet.We cauchauge heatts, lotthatmattet, gtalta
uewoue iuplace,adeuetvatedheatt,teadyto luuctiou. 8utwe cau'tttaus-
plautbteasts.wecautepaitabteast,sututeitswouuds,temodelit,butitsstill
thesamebteastauditsmodulatiouexteudstothescat.
Heattisauauseatiugwotd, bteast alailiugoue. Wecauuot-we cau
ouly-sayitbadly.
Tben, lntbevetynextpatagtapb, lhndmyhtstexample,tbatls,tbe
negatlvegtammatofanotbetexactly. ltlsn'texactlyananatomlcalot
desctlptlvetetm-ltgoesbeyondalteady. . . lttoucbesonmodesty, yet
wltboutslldlngtotbeembattassedptoxlmltyoftbetblgbsotbuttocks.lt
doesn'ttoucb obscenlty, otsbame. lt ls tbewotdfot modestywltbout
sbame,yetltlsnotlmmodest.
'Z
Tbesecondexamplebasmetotconhtmed,bowluckylam)alltbatl
ttled to fotmulate befote l came actoss lt, slnce the beglnnlngoftbls
book,aboutanotlglnatypetjutyas lnevltableas ltlsunfotglvable.Hete
betetmsltttansgtesslon, attansgtesslontbatlsn'tsxac/qanylonget.
Hete,theteisuolougetttausgtessiou. Theteisu'texactttausgtessiou,ilthis
tetmdesiguatestheviolatiouolaptohibitiou,audthectossiugolauuuctoss-
ablelimit,audpeuettatiouiutoasactedspace. . . . This theviolatiou-|.D.
iswhatpositstheptohibitiouwhile tidiculiugaudbteakiugit. Aptiotithe
sttuctuteheteisolsactedsepatatiouaudttausgtessiveolleuse-whethetthis
olleuse is subject to coudemuatiou ot is a sactih cial imputity whose owu
wotkiugsmakelotitstedemptiou. ,Heavy, twisted, motbidthoughts. )
Tbougbtwelgbt, tbetefote.letus htsttecallthattblseRectofetymol-
ogycannotbeptesented, tbetefotetoucbed nssa/ . . ss/sachs} except
ontbetlpoftbetongueofcettalntonguesandtlsksbecomlngunlntelllgl-
ble,lnttutb,lntanglblelnttanslatlon.uttbatlswbatlslnquestlonbete,
aswesballsee,lnotbetwotds,thelossoftbeldlomandtbeexptoptlatlon
oftbeptopet.lptoposetodeh neaswelgbttbatwhlch,lntouch,lsmatked
astanglblebytbeopposedteslstance,astbebtllllantetkeleybadalteady
seen) .tbeplaceofaltetltyotabsolutelnapptoptlablllt,llmlt,welgbt, tbus
hnltude,andsofottb) . nable to followtbls gteattextbete step bystep
ndwotdbywotd, as onenevettbelesssbould, l sballgoqulcklyto tbe
placeofconfesslon,tbatplaceofatblnklngoftoucbastblnklngoftbeun-
Panc/aa/isns Andsa."
toucbableotlntanglble,tbevetyplaceofwbatbappens,aswewetesaylng
attbebeglnnlng,wbenone/sachsssn/amssai/h/hs/imi/.tbetetbeun-
toucbablebecomestanglble,ltptesentsltselfaslnaccesslbletotbetactlle,
lntact-unht, lnaptfottbebaptlcal. lnawotd, lmposslble. ltlslntbls
place,tblslocusofuntoucbables,tbatavowofabstlnence,evenbefoteone
keepsotbettayslt)ownstottansgtesslon,petj uty, sactllege,andunfotglv
ableptofanatlon-lnfaltbfulnessltsel tlgbtatfaltbfulnessltself.Lxactly.
ln contact wltb tbe lntanglble, tbls conttadlctoty expetlence oftact
,toucbwltboutcontact)vowsltselftotbeconfesslon.uttblsexpetlence
canonlybetecognlzedlntbefotmofapatadoxlcalconfesslon,tbeavowal
ofanlmposslbleconfesslon. lnlt,onetecognlzestbatonecannotdootsay
ot tblnkwbat one sbould, tbete wbete nevettbeless, tecognlzlng lt, one
ttansgtessesnotonlytbefaultbuttbeconfesslon.Tbeconfesslondoesnot
confessottelltbefault,ltsaslt,dsc/asslt,/a/ssi/sn.utltalsocommlts
ltbytbefactofsaylnglt,tbeconfesslonlstbefault,ltcommltstbettans-
gtesslontbatdoesnottakeplacebefoteltandtbatltmetelyfelgnstotell
lntbepast. Confesslonlspetjutlous,as lstbevowofabstlnencetbatwe
ptonounce,denounclnglt.Unfotglvably. efoteconfesslngtbelnexplable,
tbeconfesslonislnexplable,tbelnexplablefault,ltsctlmeofltselftowblcb
ltowns,fatedtotemalnlnexplable.Totmentofanevet-tevolvlngtevolu-
tlon. Hence tbe dlzzlness oftbecomedytbatabsotbs evetyconfesslon.
Ttagedyoflles ln good faltb, lnctedlblebeattfeltlles.Wbo-wblcbun-
consclous-couldevetwltboutlaugblngtblnkupallelngoodfaltb`
letusconess. bedatestotellustblsandglveblmselftbetlgbt,ot
tecognlzeltfotblmself)todtlveottatbettecallustowatdtblsfate.wltb
blm-asbe-webavetoconfess,weevenbavealteady-let'sconfess
confessed.Wbat`Wbatttansactlon`Wbatfuttbetcomptomlse`
Let us couless, iustead,whatevetyoue kuows lullwell. thiukiugcau uevet
gtaspweighiug,itcauolletameasutelotitdoesu'tittbeugtaspitaudthus
touchit,testit`Howisouetomeasuteaweighiugotbetwisethaubyweigh-
iug,leeliugtheweigbt,tbusbylettiugweigh`Audwhatdilleteuceisthetebe-
tweeuweigh|ugaudtbiukiug oucetbougbtisuotlimitedtosubjectivetepte-
seutatiou ,Hegeliauatgumeut)`-|.D.] , butitcauuotitsellweighupsoaeser]
tbeweight. Not cauweigbiugtouchtbiukiug,it mayiudicatealewouucesol
muscles aud ueutou, but it cauuot tegistetthe iuhuite leap olwbicb tbey
wouldsupposedlybetheplace, suppott,otiusctiptiou. ,Audwhatisaleap,il
tbougbt is iudeed a leap` Wbat sott olescape ltomgtavity` What couutet-
nd/ssa."IhsInca/a/a//s )/
weigbt`)Agaiusttbeseobviousttutbs,tbeetymologist'sdesitewouldb e togive
usaccess, atleastasattaceiusctibediulauguage, toaweigbtyweigbiugptop-
ettyoltbougbt,wbicbwoulbeieuticaltoatbiukiugptopettyoltbewegbty
tbiug.
efotecomlngbacktotbeexttaotdlnatydensltyoftblspatagtapb,but
lsdensltyoftbe otdet oftbe tblnkab|eot tbewelgbable` ) , let me saya
wotdaboutwbat l wou|d bave llked todo but sball not do. to hnd tbe
|awoftbetelatlonbeteentbesemantlcsofDsn/snDan/snCsdch/nis
,tblnklng-tbanklng-temembetlng, and so on) and tbat ofsnsssss-
ssnss, and so fottb. Not as tbat ofadoub|e,betetogeneous h|latlon,
wltbtbelnh nltecompllcatlonstbattheywou|dlmpottlntowbattoucbes
onlanguageandtbougbt,buttbetewbetewbatweatetalklngaboutbete
lnvo|ves/s/hssman/icsa//hssams/ims,totoucb,welgh,tblnk,glve,tbank,
genetoslty, gtatltude,gtace,gtavlty-and-gtace,teca|llng,memotywltbout
memoty, glftwltboutdebt, andsofottb-butletusleaveoffbetewltb
tblslmmensetask,bowevetnecessatyltmaybe) .Tbelnhnlte|eaptbatsep-
atatestblnklngftomwelgblng,attbevetyp|acewbeetbeytemalnlnsepa-
table,atleastlnsofatas thoughtlsnot|lmltedtoteptesentatlonnottbe
bodytotbeobj ectlvltyofneutons) ,lsbuttbeleap,lntbevetyexpetlence
oftoucblng,betweentbetoucbableandtbetoucbable,atthe|lmlt,tbete-
fote,betweentbetoucbableandltselfasuntoucbab|ellmlt. ltlstoucblng
thattoucbesonthellmlt, ltsownptopet-lmptopet llmlt, tbatlstosay
ontbeuntouchablewbosebotdetlttoucbes.To toucbontbellmltlsnot,
fotcontact,j ustanyexpetlenceamongotbetsotapattlculathgute.one
nevettoucbesexceptbytoucblngallmlta//hsmi/.Tblslsattulsmtbat
oneh ndsatwotklnanyptofoundtblnklngoftbe|lmlt ,Atlstot|e,Kant,
Hegel)aswe|lasln|ocutlonsoftbedsxa,sucbastbeonetbatNancycltes,
fotexample,ontbesubjectoftbelexlconofh nltudewbenltentetscut-
tent, evetydayusage. One undetstandsbytblstbatbumanltyseemsto
toucbon, to come upagalnst,somellmlts. . . . ``To toucb lsto toucba
botdet,bowevetdeeplyonemaypenettate,`andltlstbustotoucbbyap-
ptoacblnglndehnlte|ytbe lnaccesslb|e ofwbatevet temalns beyondtbe
botdet,ontbeotbetslde.
To undetscotetblslmposslb|ebutlnevltab|elnc|uslonoftbeoutsldeln
tbelnslde,oftbeuntoucbab|elntbetoucbable,andtoteca|ltbatacon-
slstenttblnklngabouttoucbcanon|ybeatblnklngoftbelntanglb|e,tbus
oftact) ,lcouldh ndsuppottlnwhatNancyblmselfsaysaboutexpetlence
Panc/aa/isns ndsa"
andllmltontbesamepage. lntbenextpatagtapb, belnfactwtltes.at
tblsexpetiencetemainsa/imi/-sxsisncs,likeanyexpetiencewottbyof
tbename. ltdoestakeplace,batnotastbeapptoptiationofwbatittep-
tesents, tblsiswbylalsobavenoaccesstotbewelgbtoftboagbt, notto
tbetboagbtofwelgbt. `
|ast as, be says, Sense istoacbing.Tbe ttanscendental' ofsense ,ot
wbatisontological'lnlt) lstoacb. . . , `so,andfottbesameteasons,
expetienceistoacb,tbetewbetelttoacbesltslimlts.Toacbishnltade,pe-
tlodOnecoaldconcladeftomtbls~attbetlskofgolngagalnsttbetead-
ing tbat manyhavedoneofNancy's wotk, beglnnlngwitbNancy blm-
self-tbatwbatwebavebetelsanlttedaclbletblnklngofttanscendence.
Wbenonetoacbesontbellmltofss /saching-sa, lstbetestlllanytea-
son todeclde betweenttanscendenceandlmmanence` Comenow,sbow
sometact. let'sleaveitbe.
Wbeteltdlv|desandex-apptoptlatestoacblntotact,tbls,lntetnal/ex-
tetnal)limlttbetefotelnsctlbes,ex-sctibes)tbeantoacbable-lntanglbleln
contact.Wbatonedoesnottoacblstbatwblcbonetoacbes,andltisa/
ofwbatlscalledtoacb.wbatpatts toacblnganddlvldes ltmakesitbea
a/gteatettbantbewboletbatltdeslgnates,andsofottb.Apattofone-
selUndecidableplayoftbemetonymy.To toacb,totoacbblm/it,ispos-
slbleonlybynottoacblng.Lxpetlenceoftbelmposslble.Onetbastoacbes
eitbet apontbein/angi//sotontbean/sacha//s, dependlngonwbetbet
oneaccentaatestbecanns/-tobottbemas/-not-toacb.
etweentbelntangibleandtbeantoacbable,tbedq ancsoftact.One
migbtalsocallltmodestyotdecencyadsa} .Clevet,tenoanclngwltboat
tenoanclng, ltsbe _s//s, tbatls,adsa, gtammatlcallyfemlnlne} spteads
oatlts/betvellsinhnitely,it/sbeconfessesandbettaysinaninhnitetenan
ciatlon. ftomonelawto tbeotbet,cannot /mastnot, mastnotbecaase
lt'slmposslble,mastnotbecaaselt'sposslble,mastnotmastnotbecaaselt
lslmposslblenottobaveto,impossibletotenoance.wbatiscalledtbean-
conscioas)andbecaaseamastwottbyoftbenamemasttemainfotelgn
toaneconomyoftbedebt) .
Tbelawmatkslntblswaytbeai/hsa/_sans}lnsenseotlnexlstence,ln-
sofatasltistbewitboat-essenceotlnsofatasltistbeapptoptlationoftbe
lnapptoptlable) .` lttbasinsctlbestbeanlnsctibableininsctlptlonltself,
itsxsci/ss.Tbelawofexsctiblng,ofexsctiptlonastbealtimatettatbof
lnsctlption,hndsatleastoneofltsessentlaldemonsttatlonsbete.Nancy
basj astspokenoftbemostptopetsense. Helmmedlatelyaddstbefol-
nd/ssa"IhsInca/ca/a//s 2
lowlng,wblcbtoucbesonsxsci/ingltself,tbetewbeteonecannotsaylt-
selfwltboutmaklngltgo outofltself. . . . tbemostptopetsense,but
ptopetontbecondltlonoftemalnlnglnapptoptlable, andoftemalnlng
lnapptoptlableinltsapptoptlatlon.Ofbelngbotbeventfulanddlstuptlve
evenasltlnsctlbesltselflntbeteglstetofsense.Ofsx-sci/ingtblslnsctlp-
tlon-sucbtbattbeex-sctlptlonbetbeelng-lnsctlbed,ottatbettbettue
elng-lnsctlblng oflnsctlptlon ltsel Ofbavlng asigh/ at tbe beatt of
tbougbtandlnsplteoftbougbt.
Insi/ss/hsagh/.tbougbttblnksonlylnsplteofltself,ot,lwouldsay,
ssn cssdndan/_l. e. , teluctantly, notwltbstandlngltself] , lt tblnks
onlytbetewbetetbecountetwelgbtoftbeotbetwelgbsenougbsotbatlt
beglnstotblnk,tbatls,insi/ssltself,wbenlttoucbesotletsltselfbe
toucbedagains/i/sai/Tbatlswbyltwlllnevettblnk,ltwlllnevetbave
beguntotblnk/ i/ssTbatlswbatltlsnecessatytotblnkoftbougbt,to
pondetandwelgbofwelgbt. vha/isnscsssa,lnotbetwotds,wbatmust
passbytbetestoftbeinsi/sslntbelnapptoptlable, tbustbeuntoucb-
ableoftbetanglbleltself. lnwbatweatecalllngtactbete.Tbls lsqulte
exactlytbesupetlatlveexactltudewewetespeaklngofeatllet. Ihsasigh/
sa/hsagh/lsqulteexactlytbelnapptoptlabllltyofapptoptlatlon,ottbe
lmptoptletyoftbeptopet, ptopettotbeptopetltself,absolutely) . `An-
otbetwayofsaylngtbatexlstence,is, elng, lsqulteexactly, ateall
namesoftbelmposslbleandofself-lncompatlblllty.Compasslonltself,lf
tbetelsany,lsnotposslble,exceptlnatest, astbetestoftbls lmposslble
compatlblllty.
Attbelntetnal/extetnal llmltoftoucb,sucbacompasslonateexsctlptlon
oftact,letusnotelnpasslng, accountsfotalltbepatadoxlcalcblasmuses
tbatbaveaffectedtbeevaluatlonoftoucb. lnotdettoexplotesystematl-
callyallltscomblnatlons,onewouldbavetodlsplaytbls/sgicoftbellmlt
wbatletsltselfbetoucbeddoessoonltsbotdetandtbusdoesnotletltself
beteacbedotattalnedevenasltexposestbeuntoucbableltself,tbeotbet
botdetoftbebotdet,totoucb. utonewouldalsobavetolntegtatetbe
hs/sic,wblcbwouldbemotetbanatbetotlc,wben,wltbeacbhgute,lt
ctossestbellmltsbetweentbesenslbleandtbelntelllglble,tbematetlaland
tbespltltual-tbecatnaloftbebodyptopethndlngltselfbyde nltlon
onbotbsldesoftbellmlt.
Sa/re
|ntimcq Pctcrqt, r Vnt c c Finc/ Rctcuch
A supplementatytoucb ot past tetoucb left stalledlong ago, almost
sevenyeatsago,onmycomputet,tbatls,aplacewbetetbetelatlonbe-
tweentbougbt,welgbt,language,anddlgltaltoucbwlllbaveundetgone
anessentlalmutatlonofex-sctlblngovettbepasttenyeats.Adesctlptlon
lsneededoftbesutfaces,tbevolumes,andtbellmltsoftblsnewmaglc
wtltlngpad,wblcbexsctlptlontoucbeslnanotbetway,wltbanotbetklnd
oexactltudeotpunctuallty, pteclsely, ftomtbekeyboatdtotbemem-
otyofadlsksaldtobebatd Alllbavewtltten,tben,ls~seeCbaptet
;n.-ondsH/s,abouttbebatd,batdness,batdsblp~obdutacyof
dutatlonotendutlng,teslstance,asltwete.
ltlsaptetexttobtlngupanotbetcballenge,asupplementatyone,oftbe
/schnica/samsn/cballenglngtbedlscteet,dlsctete,andcalculablemultl-
pllcltyoftbesenses-andtbeassutancetbattoucblsontbesldeoftbeac/
ottbeactual,wbeteastbei/aa/pattakesmoteoftbevlsual,wltb tbe ap-
peatlngofhanss/hai, tbat ls, wltb tbe pbantasm, tbe specttal, and tbe
tevenant.Onespontaneouslybastbetendencyto/s/isstbattoucblngte-
slstsvlttuallzatlon. Andlf,contlnuousandcontlnulstlc)baptocenttlclntu-
ltlonlsmlslndeedadomlnantttadltlon,wblcblbavetakenasmytbeme
bete,tbenpbllosopby, assucbandconstltutlvely,maybesubjectedtotbls
vetybellefTo tblsctedullty.Howlsonetobellevetbattoucbcannotbevlt-
tuallzed`Adbowcanonefalltoseetbattbetelssometblngllkeanotlgln
oftecbnlcstbete`let'snotetbatlnCalfotnla,abaptlcalmuseumdoesex-
lst ,lts notaptoofofanytblng,j ustaslgn) .tbelntegtatedMedlaystems
CentetattbeUnlvetsltyofoutbetnCallfotnla,osAngeles,makesavall-
ablefotltsvlsltotsaweb slte bttp. //lmsc. usc.edu/,accessedlebtuaty
,
,
]00
Salve )oi
zoo) onwblcbtbeycanexpetlencetemotetoucblng,teallstlcsensa
tlonslntoucblngwotksofatt.Tbedesctlptlonoftbesetupusesmany
quotatlonmatks,ofcoutse.We cantbusfeeltbewelgbt,fotm,andsttuc-
tuteoftbesutfaceofaCblnesevasewblleboldlngatbtee-dlmenslonal
dlgltalmodel.Tbeusetmayputquestlonstotbetactllelmageoftbevlttual
object.Wbylstblssldesotougbandtblsonesosohtotbetoucb`e-
yondtbemuseum,baptlcal tecbnologlesatedeveloplngsoftatelnsclen-
tlhcvlsuallatlon, medlcal slmulatlons, and so fottb, wblcb ls useful ln
manyateas.TbeteseatcbetsoftbelntegtatedMedlaSystemsCentetsetup
expetlmentstbatptoducetactllesensatlons,fotexample,1W anln-
sttumentlntbesbapeofapentbatglvesapowetfulsensatlontotbetlpof
tbehngetswbenltsusetoutllnestbecontoutofanobject,otCybetGtasp,
aglovetbatendows usetswltbateallstlcsensatlonofsttengtbottesls-
tanceontbeltentltebandwbentbeygtasp,pusb,otmoveobectsatound
ascteen. Tbeltteseatcbateasbave to dowltbalgotltbmsoflmmedlate
contact,ofdetectlonandcolllslonlnvlttualobjectsandalsowltbtbeex-
act detetmlnatlon oftbebands posltlondutlnglts manlpulatlons lntbe
baptlca|exblblts,andttbet,wltbalgotltbmsbavlngtodowltbfotcefeed-
backlntbeexpetlmentswltbvlttualobjectsandespeclly, wltbacqultlng,
exblbltlng,andexplotlnglntetactlveptocessesbetweenbeatlng,seelng,and
toucblng ln tbeexblblts ofobjects at tbe museum. l tbls leads to tbe
atcblvlngofdatatbatatelncteaslnglydlRetentlatedandovetdetetmlnedln
tbeltcodlng.Tomottow'sSlgmundlteudwlllbavetotehneblsmaglcwtlt-
lngpadandtbetopogtapbyofbodlesdutlngpsycboanalytlca|sesslons,not
tomentlonetogenousdlstancetoucblngandamotousbodleswtestllngln
tbesbeetsoftbelntetnet'sweb.Nodoubt,tblsposslbllltybasn'twaltedfot
outcentuty, butlet'sputtbese tblngs undettbebeadlngfactsoftbeday
_qass/isnsdc/aa/ ,otattefactuallty,fotalltbeteasonsj ustputfottb.Tbe
attefactualbauntsandwotks tbtougb botb tecbnlcsanddeslte.Andwotk
lngenetal.lt'stbesamelabot,tbesamepleasute,tbesametottute~/a-
iam,tbesuffetlngdutlngtbeSabbatb.
let'stusbtowatdtbeendlngandtecapltulate.l 'mnowslncetelyasklng
tbattbls bookbefotgottenoteffaced, andl'masklngtblsaslwouldn't
bavedone-wltbasmucbslncetlty~fotanyofmyotbetbooks.Wlpelt
allaway,andstattotstattagalntoteadblm~Nancy~lnblscsas.
lot mypatt,wbattoglveblm`Aklss`On tbeeyes` ltsbouldtemaln
lnvlslbletoanytbltdpatty.
)O2 Salve
Asectetoffetlng,asltwete, lptomlsedmyself. Howcanoneptomlse
snssstoglve`offetlngtbatwouldtoucbontbemultlplequestlonof
toucblnamodeatoncenscsssaandcsn/ingsn/ wbatlstoucblngWbat
doestoucblngmean`lstbeteanessenceoftoucblng`lsltsayable,lntel-
llglble, senslble,/angi//s, otnot`Wbootwbattoucbeswbatotwbom`
Howcanonetemoveltftomltsvastttadltlonevenastbelattetlsnevet
fotgotten`
Oneday~l'venevettoldtblstoblmblmself,butltoldHlneNancy
dutlngapbonecall~ldteamedtbatlklssedblmontbemoutb,ltwasnot
longaettbettansplantofblsnewbeattwbenlbadj ustseenblmanddld
klssblm,lnfact,ontbecbeeks,fottbehtsttlme.Asahetatesuttectlon
andnotonlybls.lotltemembet,andtblsstllltoucbesme,tbatatouthtst
meetlngaftetbebadtecelvedlntoblmselftbellvlngbeattofanotbet,we
embtaced, spontaneously, ln an appatently spontaneous double move-
ment, appatentlyofanlnstant,wby`) , wblcbwebadnevetdonebefote,
becauseoftbatlnvlnclbletesetveotmodestyadsa ofoldftlends.,My
tealftlends always lntlmldate me, as do mysons. )Wbat's tbe telatlon`
Wbatamlgolngtodowltbtbat`Dtawattentlontomyselfonceagaln,of
coutse,tbeywlllsay,andblamemefotlt.No,lwanttatbettobldesome-
tblngandtomakeasectetoRetlngtoblm.Yes, tbettutblslwouldbave
llked to be capable oftecountlngwbat was and temalns, fot mybeatt,
sttlklngltltself,tbeotdealoftblsotbetbeatttbat|ean-lucNancywasnev-
ettbelessalonelnundetgolngand knowlngat tbe bottomofbls beatt,
bls,youts,tbeonlyone,tbesame,anotbetman'sotwoman's.
SomyoRetlngwouldtoucbmyftlend,lsaldtomyselfevend lttoucbed
on tbls tbematlcs, tbls onto-loglc, tbls tbetotlcotpoetlcs oftoucb lna
mannettbatlsat once necessatyandcontlngent.
Nscsssa,tbatlstosaypettlnent,buttbenpettlnenceltself,tbe_ latln}
s/inssofpettlnencelsalteadyahguteoftbetactlle.Webavealteadyac-
countedfottblsbottowlng,andltsusutlousweatandteat. lspettlnent
, _ latln}s/ins/)wbatevetattalnsltsendbytoucblngltlnanecessatyand
apptoptlatefasblon`Apettlnencedoesnotfalltotoucbottoblttbeob-
j ect,wblcblsbotbtlskyandcocky,lknowwbatl'mtalklngabout' ) ,at-
togant,lmpollte,lmpettlnent.
Csn/ingsn/aswellbecausel,myself,ahnltebelng,wouldllketotoucb
blm,|ean-lucNancy,blmselfandnootbet,lnblsslngulatlty, lntbesln-
gulatlty,hics/nanc,ofblsbody. lottbls,lbavebadtocallupontwootlg-
Sa|ve
) )
lnal telnventlons of tbe wotd contlngent wblle dlstlngulsblng tbem
ftomatbltdone,wblcblsbls.
Wblletbehguteofcsn/ingsnclsalsoahguteof contact,oftangencyot
tbetanglble,wblleL'in/asglvesltanotbetfututeottecallslttolt,onestlll
bas tbelmptesslontbatweatealways golngto beat aloss fot a meta-
languagewltbwblcbtosayanytblngwbatevetabouttoucb, toucblng,ot
tbetoucbabletbatlsnotlnadvanceaccommodatedbytbeskln,exsctlbed
tlgbtontbeskln. Wltboutevenbelngwatcbedovetotpolntedout,eacb
wotdspeakslntonguestotbeskln, eacbwotdbasawotdontbetongue
wltbtbeskln. efoteadelctlclssbowlng,befoteanauto-delctlcsbowslt-
selfbypolntlngltshngettowatdltselfbefoteandlnvlewofnatclsslstlc
speculatlon,i//sachss.
A fottblssttangecoupleoftbe two tactllltles, tbat ofapptoptlatene
cesslty,s/insn/)andofaleatotlc,tandomslngulatlty,csn/ingsn/) ,lsba|l
mentlonvety qulckly, wltbout belng able to explaln myselfbete, tbat
_ Nancy's]powetful,untlmely,andstllluntecognlzedbookIhsExsisncs
sFssdsmbelpsusbettettban anyotbettotblnkl:, tbetewbeteNancy
dtawstbeentlteconsequenceftomtbls fact. lfpbllosopbybas/sachsd
/hs/imi/myempbasls-|. D. ] oftbeontologyofsubj ectlvlty, ltlsbe
causeltbasbeenbtougbttotblsllmlt.
Tbetefote. bowt otoucb blm l nspeaklngoftoucb-tbe' sense of
toucbtbatlsn't-andbopetoteacbtbete,lnawaytbatlsatoncepettl-
nent,butnotwltbouttact,andcontlngent,butnotatblttaty,andhtstof
a|l,lntbewaybeblmselfdoesso,namely,lntbewaybetoucbesontoucb,
wltboutalltbesamelmltatlngblmotfollowlngblm`eyondlmltatlonot
commentaty, beyondslmpletepetltlon,wbatfotmofbatoquecontaglon
otlmpetceptlblecontamlnatlonsbouldlbavelmaglned`dbowtodo
ltlntbetlgbtfasblon,bytoucblngltwltbouttoucblnglttoomucb,wblle
obsetvlngtbellmltsofdecency, ofduty, ofpollteness-offtlendsblp`
Ls/sachs. l seetbatl baveotlentedmyself,onceagaln,moteotless
bllndly, lntbedltectlonoftbeunttanslatableofatexttbatlknewwould
appeatlnLngllsblnltshtstvetslon.llkeanygoodbllndman,lbaveotl
entedmyselfbytoucb. A long tlmeago,well befote tbepubllcatlonof
Csas,ltecognlzedlnNancy'swotkacettalnttalltbatltbougbtlwas
tbeonly, atleastpetbaps tbehtst,well,yes,toldentl.ltwas,let'ssay,a
cettalntbematlcsoftoucb ,obllque,consttalned, but dlscteet, lnslstent,
butoddlykeptbackotkeptwaltlng,suspended) .lcouldspeclafewof
tbeseeatlymatkets.
I
4

Salve
OneoftbehtstconcetnedpteclselytbeoRetlng,andlwantedtonotelt
befoteanyotbetbecaaseltlsanoRetlngtbatlslnquestlonbete.lbadbeen
lnttlgaed,aponteadlngtbemotetbansubllmeTbeSabllmeORetlng, `
bytbequotatlonmatkswltblnwblcbbetookaptbewotdtoacb,aslfbe
wetekeenonlt,ontblswotd,lnacompalslve,ltteslstlblefasblon,glvlngln
tbetebytoabatelyavowabletemptatlon,evenlfbedldnottoucbonlt,dls
cteetlyandsllentlyapptoacblngtbewotdaslfltwetecontamlnatedlnad
vance, toacblngltwltbtbeqaotatlonmatksaslftbeywetetweezets,con
fesslnglntblswayblslntetestlnsometblngtbatltwastooeatlytodeclate,
petbaps becausetbesaldtblngdldnotanswetgenetallyotssqtolts
commonnameandbecaaseltwasnecessatytocbangetbewbolelangaage,
tewtlte,ex-sctlbe,evetytblngbefoteonecoaldssqspeakandtblnkof
toacblnglt. atnotetbattbeptopetlsalsowbatescapesftomcontact,
ftomtbecontaglous,andftomcontamlnatlon.Attbatpolntoftbetext,lt
wasamattetofexplalnlngwby,ontbevetyllmltoftbesabllme,atblnklng
oftbeoRetlngdehestbedlstlnctlonbeteentbeaestbetlcandtbeetblcal.
Anoteattbebottomoftbepage,ptobablyaddedftomoneedltlontotbe
nextoftbesameessay. ltdehesltbecauseltlmplles,alongwltbmotalde
tetmlnatlons,good/bad) ,tbeetblcalassssn/a/isnoftbefacttbattbetels
motalptaxls.lteedomlsglvenandglvesonetoseeottotoucb. '
Isssfteedomltself,besays. lteedomlsglvenandglvesonetosee) ,
toletltptesentltselftosenslbleslgbtlsalteadylmptobable,andbeteKant
temalns,ltseemstome,lndlspatable.attotoucbfteedom',lteedomls
glvenandglves one to see otto toacb' . . . ) . Nancybasfelttbebypet
bole,tbeexactexaggetatlon,tbeovetbldlntbelmposslble.notonlytosee
buttotoacb fteedom'To glveltottatbettobaveltglveandglvento
seeandtoacb'lstblsglvenafteeglhotaglven ,Csgs/snhsi/) ofexpe
tlence,aptesentatlonotself-ptesentatlon`Andtowantlttoptesentltself
lndesbandblood,lstbatnottosapptessltontbeptetextofbavlnglts
blde`To toucbfteedom,lstbatnottotoucbon, tbatls,totampetwltb
fteedom`lsltnottoassallltundettbeptetextofattalnlnglt`Wbat,tben,
aboatmotallty, andpolltlcs`lottblsdoableteason,tbequotatlonmatks
wetenecessaty,yes,otltallcs Fssdsmlsglvenandglvesonetoseeotto
toacb' . . . ) . lotln IhsxsisncssFssdsm,abookfattoocomplex
andnovelfotmeeventodatetoucbonltbete,bealsowtltes/sachsdln
ltallcs.tbedangetofbavlngsatteptltlouslyandetstood'fteedomsome
bowevenbefoteltbas/sachs
Andyettbesutteptltloustblnklngoftbesutteptltloaswlllbaveotl-
Salve
ented tbls gteatcbaptetoftbe book, TbelteeTblnklngoflteedom,
notablydatlngtbepowetfalmomentteptesentedbytbedlscasslonofa
cettalnHeldeggetlangestate ,asbewltbdtawsfteedomftomtbetbeotet-
lcallnotdettotatnltovettopbllosopblzlngandlatettotblnklng)
aboatwblcbNancywatllysays,befoteptoblematlzlnglt. Sacbpblloso-
pblzlng'canactaallybeptesentedastbedeconsttactlvepenettatlontbat
/sachss my empbasls-|. . } tbe cote ofmetapbyslcalldeallsm at tbe
polntwbetetbeldeablnds snchans} fteedom.
Tbete,toacblngseemstoptesapposeapenettatlon ,andNancytetms
tblsdeconsttactlve) tbatgoestbtoagbtbesatfaceotpassestbellmlt. To
toacbapontoacblnqaotatlonmatksotltallcsmeanspetbapstbatone
mastcottect,complete,speclwbatwoaldbavebeenlnsafhclentlyseen
-motepteclsely,lnsaclentlytboagbt-aboatfteedom/scaasssnqsssn.
ln otdettotblnk,welgb,topatfteedomto tbe test, Nancy wants togo
backbefoteslgbt,belslntentonexplotlngtbatwblcb,attbebeattoftbe
bodyptopet, exsctlbesltselflnabsolatelnvlslblllty-andltlstbebeatt,
tbeselfsamebeattltself.Wbatcantblsselfsameltse|fmeantosayaboat
tbebeatt'sbeatt`Tbebeattptopet,tbeessenceoftbebeatt,oftbesovet-
elgn beatt, oftbebeatt byltself, oftbebeattwltb ltselfneatest toltself
,iss, ssms/, ms/iss msisms, mcms) `Nancyknowstbattbessamsbeatt
i/sslnevetyposslblesense oftbeselfandtbesame, lstbeplacewbete
tbeselfsameltselfexapptoptlatesltself,attbesamelnstantwbenlamln-
vlslblytoacbedbytbeotbet,wltboatanyposslbleteapptoptlatlon,wblcb
lswbatleatllettetmedabsolatemoatnlng-batalsotbelocasofpossl-
blettansplants,posslblyftomanotbetsex. ltlsqalteposslble,aslbave
beatd ltsald, tbatwomen'sbeattslendtbemselvesbettettottansplanta-
tlonsandbaveabettetsatvlvaltate.
lfwebavetogobyNancy'sscboollng,ltlsn'twbenbeleadsasbeyond
otbefoteslgbt, otwbenbesaggeststbatwe tblnkoat ofslgbt, fattbet
tbantbeeyecanteacb-otbetsbadptecededblmontblspatb,andno
onetecognlzestblsmotetbanbedoes-not,fottbatmattet,lsltwbenbe
leadsasbacktotoacb,batltlsattbepolntwbetebetecallsastotbean-
toacbableoftoacb,ltseemstome,lnotdettodellmlttbelattet,lnotdet
toavoldextendlnglttooslmpleactedlt.
Tblslsnotgettlngmevetyfat.Wbattodo`Goonkeeplngqalet`lde
cldenottoglveap.Atleastlwoaldoffetblmsomeptoof,lntblsway, of
Salve
botb mycoutage andmybumllltybyttylngtotoucbblm/lt, toucb, to
toucbblm/lttbetewbete,knowlngtbatbelsexpectlngltandtbatweate
alteadywaltlngfotoutselves/eacbotbet _qu'lls'yattendetquenousnous
attendonsdj}andtbatbebasnotblngmotetotake,ottakeln,otup,ot
leatn ftom me, l could stl|l please blm by tepeatlng to blm, ln otbet
wotds,wbatbebasalteadysaldvetywel|blmself-wltboutmeTbougbt
self-toucbes, wltbout belng ltself, wltbout tetutnlng to ltself , Nancy,
Csas,p. JO2) .
l' l|speaktoblm soasto toucb blm, aboutwbat a klssontbe eyes
mlgbtbe, lsaldtomyselfsolongagoalteady,lteedom. . . glven. . . to
seeottotoucb, ' petbaps. ) Notaklssp|anted,asonesays,bytbellpson
tbeeyesoftbeotbet-love,deatb,benedlctlon.No.Aklssontbeeyesas
onesaysaklssontbellps,aklssoftbeeyesontbeeyesoftbeotbet.lstbat
posslble`Wblcbhgutedoestblsyleld,lfltlsahgutestll|`
WltbtbeexceptlonofNovalls,tbetebastatelybeen,tomyknowledge,
an attemptat/hin/ing, wbatlscalledtblnklng,tbeklss.ltlsalteadyvety
dlculttotblnkwbatbappens~andj usttotblnk,nodoubt,buttblsmay
bewbetetblnklngbeglns-wbenamoutbcomeslncontactwltbanotbet
moutbandwbenllps,andsometlmestongueandteetb,getmlxeduplnlt.
Nottbekssontbemoutb,buttbeklssontbeeyes,andwltboutbelng
satlshedwltblnslpldhgutes,bowevetlntetestlngotnecessatytbeymaybe
,toembtacelnaglance, todevoutwltbone'seyes, andsofottb) .
Wben eyes meet-lntensely, lnhnlte|y, up to tbe polntoftbe abyss,
p|unglngNatclssuslntotbecbasm-wbennotblnglntbewotld,noteven
tbellgbt, noteventbetbltdsoutceofasun,canlntetposeltself,wbenl
see tbe belovedgaze tbat |ooks atmebeyondall tedexlvlty, fot l love lt
onlylnasmucbasltcomestomeftomtbeotbet, lsltdayotlsltnlgbt`ls
tbeteotlstbetenotcontact`lsltacatess,andcanlsaysootbetwlsetban
bymeansofahgute`
lfaslbe|leveandaccept,aslftosavetlme,lftbetewetetlmefotusstlll,
tlmeasqulcklyannulledasobjectlvespacelnsucbaklss) ,tbetelsnoday
otnlgbtposslble,exceptftomtbeposslbllltyoftbegazeandtbusoftbeex-
cbangedlookofeyestbatmeet,as onesays,lntbeabstlnenceandpetjuty
oftact,slnceonecannotseeanytblnglntbewot|d,tblslstbeotlglnand
tbe posslbllltyoftbewotldtbatonlyawotldcanalsoglve) wltbouttbe
posslblllty,atleast,ofatedectlngsutfacetbatmakesvlslb|e, belttoNat-
clssus,otbeteyes,betbeyblsown,stlll,lfa|ltbat,tbenlntbelnstantoftbls
klssoftbeeyes,onecanaskoneselfwbetbettbetelsalteadydayotnlgbt.
Salve
Tbentbebaptlcalbeglns.
Toucb,wblcbwasalteadyonstage,entetsthescee.Wltblsycbe.
lotonecanalsoaskoneself-yetanotbetquestlonwhetbettblswas
only anannsancsmsn/oftbe pute and slmpleposslblllty ofawotld, a
posslblllty, tben, tbat couldn't see tbellghtofdayexceptbythe annul-
mentofltsposslblllty, tbatlstosay, bybecomlngtelmposslbleotwbat
wlllbavestoppedbelngslmplyposslbleaftetbavlngbecomeptesent,ot
tatbeteffectlve.
lntbeklssoftbeeyes,ltlsn'tdayyet,ltlsn'tnlgbtyet.Anlghtless,day
lesspolnt,stlll. utdayand nlgbtthemselvesateptomlslngeacb otbet.
Onesays to tbeotbetpolnt-blank. l'm golngtoglveyou some.To tbe
polnt,tbebteakofdawn.
lbllosopbyhasn'tspokenmucbaboutklssesmustwedolt, then, and
bow`Now, _ Nancy's] Csasdoeslt,asldlscoveted,lnNlce,dutlngtbe
nlgbtofAugustt,, t,,) .lwboplannedyeatsago,wellbefoteCsas,to
constltuteanlndexoftheconcepts andlexlconoftoucblntbewotkof
|ean-ucNancy,betelh ndCsasbassaldltall,an:lclpatlngmewltbout
watnlngme.ltbassaldevetythlngabouttbess,p.
)
) , tbecatess,p.|z) ,
tact, tbetactlle,andtbelntact.
Onebastoadmltethesttateglcassutanceofthetblnkethlspolltlcal
senseas well. He mlsttustshlmselfAnd pteclselybemlsttusts tbepet-
vetseeRectsofagenetalledbaptlcs,evenofsomesupet-haptls.Henows
tbat bls gteat ttanscendental-ontologlatlonoftouch canbe ,ln advance
ltwlllbave been) teapptoptlatedbyallsottsofonto-tbeo-ldeologlesof
lmmedlacyss/, exceptlftbemovementlnbypet,lftbeleapofan
lnhnlte upplng-tbe-ante cuts offcontact and amounts to taklng tbls
weaponawayftomallsuspectmanlpulatlonsevenso,onemustteadand
teadcatefullyNancy'sovetbld,blsexactexaggetatlon~andtoj udgeby
tbenewspapets,tbebattlebasnotyetbeenwon.ltlsnotamattetj ustof
tbose sons ofthe eattb, tbelltetallstpblllstlnes, andtbus ,tbe Gospel
ttutb)sensuallsts-matetlallsts,ltlsnotamattetj ustofThomas,noteven
oftboseodd Cbtlstlanswbowould llke to temembettbat Cbtlstoffets
blswoundstotbetoucb, butsomanyotbets aswe|l,asyou'tegolngto
see. Donottoucb, Nancywatnslnaddtesslngtheonto-tbeo-ldeologues.
Do not toucb toucb-wblch moteovet cannot be touched, does not
toucb ltself Onewouldbaveto teteadtbewbolecbaptet tltled Mys-
tety`ofwblcbbeteatetbeh tstllnes,outmedltatlonoftbemwlllnevet
beenougb) .
'

` '
Save
Aswehavealteadysaid,thetoucholthisthiukiug-thescalesolthisuetve-
metetcse-ne}thatitmustbeotitisuothiug-doesuotbelougtoauim-
mediacythatisautetiotaudextetiottoseuse. ltis,outhecouttaty, thevety
limit olseuse-aud the limit olseuse is to betakeu iu all seuses, each ol
whichbteaksiutotheothet . . . .
8utouemustuottheteloteexteudtotouchtoosimpleacredit, aud,most
impottaut,ouemustuot/e/iecethatouecouldtouchtheseuseoltouch,iu-
solatasitsetsalimitouseuse,s) .Thisisatathetcommouteudeucyolthe
mosttobustideologies olthe body, thatis, thectudestoues ,olthetype
musclebouud thiukiug ot sactedheatt thiukiug, vitalospititualist las-
cismwith,uodoubt, itstealaudsectethottotolbodies) . ,Naucy, Coras,

. |o|i) Myemphasis-olthis appealtouubeliel.-|. D. }

Tbefollowlngpage,wblcblsuggestbeteadcloselyl nltsexttemeden-
slty, callsfotanotbet toucb, beyondtbe llatonlcss/sia, tbelslonof
tbeMystetles, ottbeconsummatlonoftbeMystetyofSenseCettalnty
,seebete,ftomoutofCybele'sbasket,tbepbal|lcandcepballc, Hocest
enlmcotpusmeum' p] ) . To mystetlcss/siatbatknowsonlyone
faceandonevlslon, Nancyopposes tbeconceptofasa/i/,elabotated
elsewbete).
Eoteia, sightaccomplished. this is sightwheteiuitiatiouisovettakeu ,all it
does is uudetstaud) , sight that accedes to coutemplatiou, to a supet-
seeiug,whichisadevoutiugwithoue'seyes,theeyeitselleatsitsell) , which
isagasingaudhualyatoaching, thatis,thevetyabsoluteoltouchiug,touch-
iugtheothetassell-touchiug,oue withiu theothet absotbed auddevouted.
Thtoughoutthettaditiou, thisistheconsammationoltheMystetyolSeuse
Cettaiuty. see hete, ltom out olCybele's basket, the phallic aud cephalic,
ocesteuimcotpusmeum.
8utatealitycauuotcomeoutolabasket,beitthatoltheMysteties.Aea-
itycauuotbeseeu-uotasthetetmeoteiawouldhave it. ltisiuuowayto
beseeu. ueithetasexteusiouotputeex-teusivityolthebody, theoutside-sel
thatassuchdoesuotmake,itsell/auythiug)visible,audthatthelogicolthe
Mystetyposesas uupteseutableinordertopteseutittoitssupet-optic) ,nor
iusolatasitisalso,audideutically,thepteseutableitsell.thedetetmiuedcou-
hgutatiou,thetraitolthisbodyhere . . . .
. . .To seea/od,isuotpteciselytogtaspitbyavisiou.sightitsellbecomes
disteudedthete,spacedout. . . .
Mysteticoteia,outheothethaud,kuowsoulyouelaceaudouevisiou. . . .
. . . itisptopetlyaudabsolutelyvisiouoldeath. . . . Medusa. . . . , Naucy,
Coras,pp.|i-|z)
Salve
Dlstlngulsbed ftom tbls pettllng mastutbatlon oftbe eye ls tbe
sttoklngmovementoftbecatess.wealteadybeatdtbeyes, tbesaitbat
sai/. Oncetbetelsnotbe,tblsottbat,/hsbodyot/hssenseoftoucb,
fotexample)lnlanguageotdlscoutse,tben,totelltbettutb,onetlsksno
longetknowlngwbatonelssaylng,ottowbom) ,andtblstlskwlllnevet
beexcluded,betelnlntblsvetyplaceltsel lnwbatyoubavej usttead
lfyoubaveatleastevengottblsfat.
Noassutancewottbatblng.Tbeteagalnst,nocettalnty,youts)hs/ding
ltsown.
Wenlsayboldlng~tbatls,/sniandnotj ust/isns_taketbls' }
asldldabove,amlstlllgtappllngwltbtoucb`Wltboutknowlngwbol s
boldlngout,shasonebastotty~tblslstbeslngulatltyoftbeslngulat.
uttbe slngulat ls not, notsbouldltbe, anymote assuted. ltmust be
/a/snandan-llkecbancesottlsks.Nancydoesntsaymucbaboutbet-
tlng, ltseemstome,butlmaybewtonglntbls) ,yetlpetcelveblmasa
tblnketoftbebetandaplayet-ottatbetllkeabettot,adespetatebettot,
tbatls.benevetstopsstaklng, commlttlng, comm|ttlngblmself,anddo-
lnganytblngtocalculatesomehs/s/icoddswltbsxac/i/adsaswellas
exaggetatlon.Hedoestblswltboutanyexpectatlons,countlngneltbeton
tbegalnsofsome lascallanwaget notonanysalvatlon. ltmayalsobe
tbls petdltlon ftenzy, tbls lmposslblllty~bls deconsttuctlon ofCbtls-
tlanlty. lflwetetolmltateblmlntbls,tbetewouldstllltemalntbeway
ln wblcba Cbtlstlan temnant ot stylestlll teslstlngany deconsttuctlon
couldbeseentodlffetftomonetotbeotbet,andbowtblsslgnsoutte-
spectlveblstotlesandstotleslnsucbmutuallyunttanslatablefasblons.We
atenotCbtlstlan otnon-Cbtlstlan lnuotatlonmatks, lntbesame
fasblon-butnodoubtltmattetsllttlebete.
Tbegteatesttlsklstunattbevetymomentwbenonedoesbavetotty
to/nsa.Knowwbat`Notwbat,butwbom,notaboutwbatonespeaks,
buth tstofalltowbomonesays,andme,andyou.
Nevetttustanytonguefottbat~nottbegtammatofsexualdlRetences.
-Ontoucblng,yousald-wbosetoucblng`Toucblngwbom`
~Tbatswbyldteamedofaklssontbeeyes~tbattbetebesome, lf
tbetesbouldbeany.Tbetelsnotbeklss,tbetelsaklss,tblsottbatone,
) J O Salve
onedayotonenlght,cattylngoRvlslon,anway,andthevolce, too.Aca-
tess-andonenolongetknowslfltbodeswellotlll,blttlngllkeaphone
calltotbebeatt.
Andletltbe-blessed,llkeabenedlctlonstllluntblnkable,anexaspet-
atedbenedlctlon,abenedlctlonaccsdsdtohlsexaspetatedconsentand
lnaccotdancewlthlt,abenedlctlonwlthoutanyhopeofsalvatlon,anex-
boped-fotsa/cs, an lncalculable, unptesentable salutatlonlnadvancete-
nounclngSalvatlon,asshouldanysalutewotthyofthename) .
|ustsa/a/,gteetlngwlthoutsalvatlon,j ustasa/a/ ontheway.
Xo\pe
Sa/ut tO yOu, sa/ut tO thc bind vc bccOmc
{can-Lu:an:
)
Sa/a/Howcou|dl teftalnftomblddlngyousa/a/, nowyoubavegone`
Howcou|dlfalltotespondtotbesa/a/tbatyoubadeus,asa/a/wltbout
sa|vatlon, an unptesentab|esa/a/, asyouputlt`Howcouldl falltodo
tbls, andwbate|selstbetetodo`Asa|ways,tbetlmeofmoutnlnglsnot
atlmefotana|yslsotdlscusslon.Alltbesame,ltdoesn'tbavetobeatlme
fotsllckttlbutes.ltcanbe-ltbastobe-atlmetobal|you.sa/a/Good-
by'lnqulttlngus,you|eaveusfaclngtbeobscutltylntowblcbyouvan-
lsb.Andso. sa/a/, obscutltySa/a/totblsetasuteofhgutesandscbemas'
Andsa/a/to tbeb|lndwbomwe become.Tbebllndweteatbemetbat
youfavotedsa/a/to tbevlslon tbatdld notcllngtofotmsotldeas but
tbat|etltselfbetoucbedbyfotces.
Youptactlcedbelngb|lnda|ltbebettettogteettbeclatltytbatonlyob-
scutltypossesses,wblcblsoutofslgbtandenvelopstbesectet-asectet
notconcea|edbutevldent,tbemanlfestsectetofbelng,ofllfe/deatb.And
so,sa/a/ totbesectettbatyousafeguatd.
Andsa/a/toyou' Sa/cs, besafe'esafelntbelmposslblebea|tbotslck-
nessyoubaveenteted. esafelndeatb-notftomlt. Ot,lfyou'lla||ow
me,besafed deatb,lmmottalllkedeatb,bavlngdweltlnbetslnceblttb.
Cn p. )ii, 7O1 C/aire = Crcctings! Iarcvcll! Sa/a
Jhis tributc by |can-Luc Mancy, titlcd Salut u toi, salut aux avcuglcs quc nous
dcvcnons, ` appcarcd in L/raonon Cctobcr 11, zoo( ,http. // . Iibcration. lr/
pagc.php:^rticlc=z(;i},&^C acccsscd Fcbruary z;, zoo;] ) .
jJ
j
Salut/ssa
Sa/a/Maytblsgteetlngbeabenedlctlontoyou,yousaldtblstoustoo) .
Tospeakwellandsaytbegood.tospeakwelloftbegood, tbegoodot
tbelmposslble,tbeunptesentabletbatsllpsawayftomallptesenceand
bangsentltelyonagestute,aklndnessabandllftedotlaldonasbouldet
otfotebead-awelcome,agoodbyetbatsayssa/a/.
Sa/a/toyou,|acques. . .
Rrence /atter

'
!
.
|
;
Otcs
Fssasd
i . Onthevorko}eanLacNan,ed.leggyKamuParagahi6, 2 ,|ulyi,,,) .
2. See|eauLucNaucy, Coas,latis.Mtaili,i,,z) theteisalsoalatet, ex-
paudededitiouolCoas,latis.Mtaili,zooo) ,butallquotatiousheteatettaus-
lated ltom the i,,zlteuch editiou.-Ttaus. , Naucy,Lesensda monde,latis
Galile,i,,z) ,auditsLuglish-lauguagevetsiou,IheSenseothevorttaus.|eH-
tey S. ibtett ,Miuueapolis. Uuivetsity olMiuuesota ltess, i,,,), Naucy, Les
mases,latis. Galile, i,,|) , aud itsLuglish-lauguagevetsiou, IheMases, ttaus.
leggyKamul,Staulotd. StaulotdUuivetsityltess, i,,,) , Naucy,

tresinga/ier
/arie/ ,latis. Galile, i,,6) , aud its Luglish-lauguage vetsiou, BeingSinga/ar
P/ara/ ttaus. ichatd ichatdsouaudAuueO' 8ytue ,Staulotd. StaulotdUui
vetsityltess,zooo) .
vhsnOaEssIach"
Note.Theptouomiuallotmolthevetbiuthelteuchchaptettitle,uaud
uosyeuxsetoucheut,islostiuttauslatiou. luauoteaccompauyiughetttausla-
tiouol|acquesDettidas LetoacherTouch / ToTouchHim, iuOnthevorko
}eanLacNan, special issue olParagah, ed. leggy Kamul, Paragrahi6, 2
,|ulyi,,,) I22}, Kamulwtites.Caceat/ector . . . . Theteadetshouldalso e
awate,audheteaudthetetemiudetswillbeiusetted,thatthevetbtoacherhasau
idiomaticexteusiou iulteuchwhichcauoulybeapptoximatediuauothetlau
guage. lotexample, toachera caumeaubothto touchou, butalso to tampet
with, eveu to violate ,cl. Mallatm's lamous exclamatiou. Ou a touch au
vets ' liually,howevet,the most tecalcittautsyutacticlotmatiouisthepto-
uomiuallotm,setoacher,whichcaubeeithetteexiveotteciptocaliuthethitd
;
:
7
Ns/ss/sPagss1{
petsouottheiuh uitive, but mayalso have thevalue olapassive voice ,ce/ase
toache, i . e. , itistouched) ,p. i,z) .-Ttaus.
i. AtistotlePerisachssz. i. |zzb|z|a.lcitethelteuch-Gteek8udeditiou,
Deme, ed. A. auuoue, ttaus. L. 8atbotiu ,latis. Les 8elles Letttes,i,66) .
uotatiousiuLuglishateltomDeanima,ttaus.|. A. Smith,iuIheBasicvorks
oHristot/e, ed. R|chatd McKeou ,NewYotk. Raudom House, i,|i) , pp. ,,,-
6o, .Ttaus. |To myknowledge, NaucyteletsoulyoucetoPerisachss, audit
isouauothetsubject, uottouch. Seeeau-LucNaucy, Ego sam,latis.Aubiet-
llammatiou,i,;,) ,p.i6i. Howevet,itisttuethatNaucytecallsAtistotleiutwo
powetlullyellipticaltexts,tespectivelytitledlsyche ,|eau-LucNaucy,lsyche,
Premicre /icraison uo. i6 i,;? )-which is discussed iuthe uextchaptet aud
thetealtet-aud De l'me Ou the Soul| ,iu Leoids dacors Le Maus.

coletgioualedesbeaux-atts,i,,, ) . Oulyanetcompletiugthisbookdidlbe-
comeawate olthelattettext-thettausctiptiouolatematkable,moteotless
imptovisedcouleteuce,audl maysaythatl louudittettospectivelyeucoutag-
iug. Readetswilludetstaudthisiltheytelettoit,aslutgethemtodo,audthey
may shate the emotiou l lelt upou discovetiug iu the htst pages |eau-Luc
Naucy's youug mothetsttetchedout, exteuded ,aasgedehnt, like the lsyche
wholiesiuwaitlotus,butsomuchmotealive) ouabeach.
z. Outhisetc. , seeetceteta,iuDeconstractionsH |sersCaide, ed.Nich-
olasRoyle,8asiugstoke,Hauts,U. K. . Macmillau,zooo) .
:. Pschs
i . |eau-LucNaucy, lsyche,Premicrehcraison, uo. i6 ,i,;?) .
z. eau-Luc Naucy, Leoids d'aneense,Saiute-loy, ubec. Le Gtillou
d'atgile,i,,i) , pp. i|, i,audpassim. IheCracit,o Ihoaght, ttaus. ltauois
RalloulaudGtegotyRecco,AtlauticHighlauds,N.. . Humauitiesltess,i,,;) ,
iucludespatts olLeoids d'aneenseiu ttauslatiouseeesp. TheWeightola
Thought. -Ttaus.
,. Naucy, Coas,pp. zz, ?,?|, ,,, audpassim.Ayeatlatetatemiudetolthe
lattetcitatiouappeats iua uote iuNaucy's Dilltauce, iuLesensdamonde,
p. ,? ,Dilltauce, iu IheSenseothevor/d, ttaus. Libtett, p. ,,u,o p i;?| ) .
Naucyeveudeclatesthistob e thesolethemeo l Coas.
|. Naucy, Coras,p.zz.
,. Sigmuudlteud, IheCom/etePs,cho/ogica/vrks,vol.z,,NewYotk.Not-
tou, zooo) , p ,oo, id. , Schren aasdem Nach/ass :,:, iu Cesamme/te vrke,
vol. i; ,ltaukluttaM. S. lischet,i,,,) , p. i,z.
6. |eau-LucNaucy,lsyche,ttaus.LmilyMcatish,iuIheBirthtoPresence,
ttaus.8tiauHolmesaudothets,Staulotd.StaulotdUuivetsityltess,i,,,), p. ,,,
modihed-Ttaus. |.
Ns/ss/sPagss1;zz
;. Thewotds tests andliesateinLnglishintheotigina.-Ttans.
?. Seeean-LucNancy,Lintras,latis.Galile,zoo .-Ttans
z. Sacings
i . ean-LucNancy, Unumquid, ingosam,p. i6i. Nancyis telettingto
AtistotlePerisachss|iza-|izbi. -Ttans.
z. Nancy, Unum quid, ingosam, p. i6zn|6. lutthetteletencestothis
text, cited as Unum quid, appeatpatentheticallyin the text. uotations in
LnglisholAtistotle'sPerisachssateltomDeanima,ttans.Smith,inBasicvorks
oHristoe, ed.McKeon.-Ttans.
, . lnthissilencing,thisbtacketingoltouch,i nthecontextoleating,onecan
tecognize a gestute olthoughtthat is both Atistotelian and non-Atistotelian.
Thiswouldthusbeagoodinttoduction,thtough themouth)tooutptoblem,
aswellas tothesubtleyetnecessatydistinctionsotimplicationsbetweeneating
andtouching, eatingandtakingnoutishment. Atistotledoesconcedethatthe
nuttitivepowet,tothretikon)canbesepatatedltomtouch,hahs) ,theotetically
andabsttactly,j ustastouchcanbesepatatedltomalltheothetsenses. 8utthat
isatheoteticalabsttaction,lotallanimalshavethesenseoltouch.Aboveall,lot
allanimals, touch temainstheptimatysensotylunction.Withoutit, no othet
senseexists.lutthetmote,Atistotlepointsout,thequal|tiesolloodcanonlybe
appteciatedthtoughtouch.Touchisthesenselotlood,Perisachss|i|b;) .ln
addition,itisttuethat,lotanimalsatleast,unlikeplants,theothetpowetscan-
notbeisolatedltomthispowetolnuttition ,ibid. , |i,a-|i|b) .
|. Mattin Heidegget, 'attet'espace,in aestionsIl ttans. ean8eaultet,
ltanoisldiet,eanLauxetois,andClaudeRols,latisallimatd,i,;6) , p. ii.
. Theltenchtextis Lspacet,celaappotteelibte,l'ouvett, espacieux,pout
untablissementetunedemeutedel'homme. Nancy'squotationisltomaes-
tionsIlwhich, with theadditionolthe wotds espacieux,teptints the ttans-
lationbyean8eaultetpublishedintheGetman-ltenchbilingual otiginal. Hei
degget,DieKanstandderRaam,St.Gallen.Ltket-etlag,i,6,) ,pp. zo-zi. Hete
istheGetman text. Das Rumen etbtingtdas lteie, dasOllenelteinSiedeln
undWohnendesMenschen ,p. ?) .-Ttans.
6. ean-Luc Nancy, L'exience de a i/ert ,latis. Galile, i,??) , and its
Lnglish-languagevetsion, IhexerienceoFreedom, ttans. 8tidgetMcDonald
,Stanlotd StanlotdUnivetsityltess, i,,,) . CitationsolxerienceoFreedom
appeatpatentheticallyinthetext.-Ttans. .
;. Obviously, theteissomethingtegulatlycompellinglotNancyintheneed
todoj usticetothistheteisnothe'decision, andlutthettoanytheteisno
the' masculine otlemininex, withadehnite atticlein ltench, matkingthe
genetalidentityolaconceptotessencebeyondanysingulatitiesthattesistnam-

:
.1
.

)2O Ns/ss/sPagss..-,:
iug.Latetwe'lleveuteadtheteisuo'the'seuseoltouch,theteisuo'the'resex-
tensa,Naucy, Coas, p. io|) .Aud,lutthetmote,theteis uo the'lauguage. . .
, Naucy,BeingSinga/arP/ara p. ?, modihed.Ttaus. ) .
? . See|acquesDettida,Po/iticsoFriendshi,ttaus.eotgeCollius,Loudou.
etso, i,,;) ,esp. p. ,o|,audothet, mote teceuttexts.Naucytetutusto these
questiousiuBeingSinga/arP/arap. i,?uz?, audp. ?o.
,. l ttytoshoteuptheseatgumeutsiuDonner/e tems,latisalile,i,,i),
pp. z6ll. audpassim,auditsLuglish-lauguagevetsiou, Cicen Iime! Coanter-
itMon, ttaus. leggyKamul,Chicago. UuivetsityolChicago ltess, i,,z) ,
pp. i,ll. audpassim.
io. Thewotd hole _troa appeatseatliet, oup. i ,;, betweeutouchaud
mouth, iuapassagethatisquotedlatet.
II. Naucy'saualysis,Uuumquid, p. i,;)sepatatesleiguiugaudthesubject's
beiug-leiutltomtheleiutiuthe sttuctuteolthe mostptopet 'leeliug. ' The
sttuctuteoltheleiuthasuothiugtodowiththeleeliugaudseusiugsubject'sh c-
titious uatute-theiutellectualotcotpoteal, otiutellectualaudcotpotealsub-
ject,ibid. ) .
iz. SeeReuDescattes,MeditationsonFirstPhi/osoh,inFocas, ttaus. Lliza-
bethS. HaldaueaudeotgeR.1 Ross, ed. StauleyTweymau ,Loudou. Rout-
ledge, i,,,) .Thisisattauslatiouolthelteuch,tathetthautheLatiu,Mdita-
tions.-Ttaus.
i,. This is the lamous passage iuthe SixthMeditatiouiuLatiu ,emphasis
added) . meuoutautumadessemeocotpotiutuautaadestuavigio,sedilliatc
tissimeessecoujuuctumetqaasiermixtam, adeoutanamqaidcumillocom-
pouam,auditsttauslatioubytheducdeLuyues,emphasisadded) . Lauatute
m'euseigueaussipatcesseutimeutsdedouleut,delaim,desoil,etc. , | quejeue
suispasseulemeutlogdausmoucotps,aiusiqu'uupiloteeusouuavite,mais,
outtecela,quej eluisuiscoujoiutttsttoitemeut,ettellemeutcoulouduetme/
quej ecomposecommean sea/toatavec lui ,quoted iu Naucy, Uuumquid,

i,z) .Ttaus.
i|. The wotld mast teject aud be tejected as a lestetiug immuudity /e
mondedoitsereterim-monde} seeNaucy, Coras,p. ,, audpassim.We'llcome
backtothislatet,motepatticulatlyiuChaptet,. Auothetpossiblettauslatiou
comesto miud. Whatthewotldmustagaiuthtowollisitselsoiledwotld.
-Ttaus.|
i,. laulalty 8ouche, iuacresI,latis.allimatd,i,,;) ,p. ,z,.
i6. luauoteouthelollowiugpage, Naucytecallshishtstteleteuce,i uthe
pteviousyeat, to thisposthumous uotebylteud,iuPremicrehcraison, uo. i6
,i,;?) .Weshalllatetuoteothetuseshemakesolthewotdexotbitaut.
i;. Descattes,SecoudMeditatiou, ttaus.HaldaueaudRoss.Hetei stheLatiu
textolthispassage.tcettevidetevideot,audite,calescete.Hoclalsumesseuou
Ns/ss/sPagss,,-, ) 2J
potest,hocestptoptiequodiumesentiteappellatut,quehocptaecisesicsump-
tumnihilaliudestquamcogitate. Lmphasis,Ht. . . at)added.-Ttaus.
i?. |eau-LucNaucy,Lediscoarsde /a s,ncoe1 Logodaeda/as,latis.Aubiet-
llammatiou,i,;6) .
i,. HeteatethettauslatiousolthispassageiuDescattes'sSecoudMeditatiou,
(I) byNaucy.enh uillautstatuet,tablit,dcidet,tigetenstatueetloudeteu
statutqueceptononcement,ceptouonc,cetnonc,}e sais,xiste, toutesles
loisquejeeptote,eptopose,eptonouce, ouquejeecouoisdausmoues-
ptit, ouqu'ilsecouoitdausmou esptit, oupatmonesptit, estucessaitement
vtai ,Naucy,Egosam,p. , ) , ,z)bythedudeLuynes.Luhuillautcouclute,
etteuitpoutcoustaut, quecetteptopositiou,}e sais,'existe, estucessaitemeut
vtaie, touteslesloisquejelaptouonce, ouquejelacouoisdausmouesptit
,Descattes,Meditationesderimahi/osohia. Mditationsmah,siqaes, ttaus.
deLuyueslatis.tiu, i,;? ,p. z,), ,,)byHaldaneandRoss.wemustcometo
thedehuitecouclusiouthatthisptopositiou.Iam,Iexist, isuecessatilyttueeach
timethatl ptououuceit,otthatl meutallycouceiveit. -Ttaus.
zo. asetouche, un|e anl caubetouched,aul-ittouchesitsell,
youcantouchit,thisl . . . , etc.-Ttans.
zi . LdmuudHussetl,StadiesinthePhenomeno/ogyoConstitation,ttaus.Rich-
atdRojcewiczaudAudtSchuwet,Dotdtecht.Kluwet,i,?,) , IdeasPertainingto
a Pare Phenomeno/og andto aPhenomeno/ogica/Phi/osoh,, vol . z. Cited as
IdeasJ-Ttaus.
zz. Shouldu'touemakethissacing,which l 've deh uedasd ranceotthe
vetyttaceitsell) , which isas spatialas itistempotal belote theoppositiou
space/time,agteewiththetensionindistanciug,Cesanntheit)olwhichHeideg
getspeaks ,iu telationto time anddatability, oltentecallingAtistotle) , tathet
thauwithDescattessextensiooteveulteud'sHasdehnangextensiou,outsttetch
iug `No doubt,Ego samwas otieutedtowatdthelocusolthis spacing, es-
peciallyiu itsdisteudiugitsell. 8ut itseemstomethatNancytakes this ou
muchlatetiuanexplicitway-iutheloutpagesolSpaune , Naucy, Senseo
thevr/d ttaus.Libtett,pp. 6|-6;) . Healsospeaksolteplacemeutthete.
,. IhisIsM Bsd
I. See Unumquid, iuEgosam. Citedpatentheticallyiu the text.-Ttaus.
z. Naucy,Lediscoarsde /a s,ncoe:. Logodaeda/as. Citedbelowaudpateu-
theticallyiuthetextasNaucy,Logodaeda/as.Ttans.
,. 8eloteaudanetHussetliuIdeasII ltomlietteMainede8itanaudllix
Ravaissou ot Heuti 8etgsou to Mautice Metleau-louty, Lmmauuel Levinas,
HentiMaldiuey, Luceltigatay, Gilles Deleuze, Didiet tanck, aud|ean-Louis
Chttieu.
; zz Ns/ss/sPagss,-,,
|. Let'suotlotgetthatlotKaut, iutheHnthroo/ogy, womauisauobjectol
studylotthephilosophetmuchmotethaumau is ' Kaut,Hnthroo/ogoma
PraaticPointoliea,ttaus.ictotLyleDowdeu ,CatboudaleSouthetullli-
uoisUuivetsityltess,i,,6) , p. zi6 , Naucysaysiualootuote,u. io,), audtbeu
asks, W bataboutthephilosopbet' `lsu'theciri/e
,. Geotg Gtoddeck, DerMensch andsein Es Bri, Hatze, Biograsches
,WiesbadeuLimes,i,;o) , p. ,6.
6. lmmauuelKaut,KantsCritiqaeo}adgement, ttaus.|. H. 8etuatd, Lou
douMacmillau, i,,i),p. zz6.
;. lmmauuelKaut,Rehexiou|,,,, iuKanthandschr/icherNach/ssBand
V Metah,sik,8etliu. De Gtuytet, i,z?) ,pt. z, pp. |i-|z,quotedbyNaucy,
Logodaeda/as, pp. i||-|6, ltom Gtatd Lebtuu, Kant et /a n de /a ma-
h,siqae:Essaisar/aCritiqaede/aca/tde ager,latisA. Coliu,i,;o) , p. ,|.
-Ttaus.
?. llaylully, ouecouldj uxtapose-iuotdetto opposethem-alotmulaby
MauticeMetleauloutyaboutDescattesaudNaucy'spbtaseaboutKaut.Wheteas
Naucysaysthatall iu all, uulikeDescattes, Kauttbephilosophet, iu ttutb,has
nothingto say about a couuectiou betweeu the body aud thougbt, Metleau
loutyassettsthat,lotDescattes,Theteisuothiugtosayouthispoiut. Tbislot
mulacau be louudiu ai,|;-|?lectute Thus,uowbetedoes Descattesclaim
thatwecaucouceiveoltheuuiou.Theteisuothiugtosayouthispoiut.Thecou-
ceptsbeiuttoducesiuthistegatdatemythicaliuthellatouicseuseolthewotd
desiguedtotemiudtbelisteuetthatphilosophicalaualysisdoesuotexhaustexpe
tieuce.The uuiou cau oulybekuowuthtough the uuiou. l| tis tbe otdiuaty
coutseollile audcouvetsatiou, aud absteutiou ltommeditatiou audltom tbe
studyolthethiugswhichexetcisetheimagiuatiou, thatteachesushowto cou
ceivetbeuuiouolthesoulaudthebody' lettetto ltiucessLlizabeth,|uuez?,
i6|,| .Auewquestioutheuatises. uolougethowto tecouciletbeexpetieuced
uuiouaudthedistiuctiouolesseuces'but'howdoesithappeutbattheteexistsa
tealmolexpetieucewhichwecauuotcouceive' `,Metleaulouty, IheIncarnate
Sa/ectMa/e/ranche, Biran andBergson on the |nion oBod,andSoa/ ttaus.
laul8. Milau Ahetst,N. . Humauity8ooks, zooi| , p. ,,) . Ouecouldaud
shouldlollowthetichiudicatiousoltheselectutesaudtheiusisteuceoltheitcou-
cetu,aswellastheitlogic,teachiugiutotheaualysesolSiges,MauticeMetleau
louty, Sigs, ttaus. RichatdC. McCleatyLvaustou,lll . . NottbwestetuUuivet-
sityltess, i,6| ) audLecisi/et/incisi//e,MauticeMetleaulouty, Ihesi//e
andtheIncisi//e Fo//oaed/,vrkingNotes, ttausAlpbousoLiugis vaustou,
lll . NotthwestetuUuivetsityltess,i,6?| ) , iupatticulat.We'llcometothislatet
iucouuectiouwiththeuotiousolthetouched-touchiugaudselltouchiug.
,. We'lllatetdealwiththeexam/eothehandiuChaptet, olIdeasU aud
motepatticulatlyiu ,,|o,atouudthepassagethatattacbesitselltothedil-
Ns/ss/sPagss,-;e ; z;
leteuce,aslat asthehaud iscoucetued, betweeu visual aud tactile pheuomeua.
SeeHussetl,IdeasII pp. i ,ill. ,Hasser/iana,TheHague.Nij holl, i,;,) ,|i||
io. ldealwiththisptoblemltomauothetpoiutolviewiuCesch/echtllLa
maiu de Heidegget, iuPs,ch Incentionsde /aatre ,latis. Galile, i,?;) ,see
Geschlecht ll. Heidegget's Haud, ttaus.|ohu Leavey|t. , iuDeconstraction
andPhi/osoh, IheIcxtso}acaesDerrida, ed.|ohuSallisChicago.Uuivetsity
olChicagoltess,i,?; ,audiuMmoiresdaceag/eLaatoortraitetaatresraines
,latis.Ruuioudesmusesuatiouaux,i,,o),seeMemoirsotheB/inIheSe
PortraitandOtherRains,ttaus.lascale-Auue8taultaudichaelNaas Chicago
UuivetsityolChicagoltess,i,,, ) .
. TtaveliugwithKaut.hiscosmopolitauismdispeuseswithttavelotttavel
uattatives. Obsetviugoue's lellow citizeus aud compattiots is euough-espe-
cially, Kaut uotes iutheptelace to hisHnthroo/ogyomaPraaticPointo
liea, iloueiuhabitsalatgecityasexemplatyas Kuigsbetg,attheceutetola
state,withpatliameutatyassemblies,auuivetsity, sea ttalhc,iulaudcommetce
ouitstivets,ueighbotsspeakiugloteigulauguages,audsolotth. Ouecauthus
cometokuowthewotldaudwtiteoue'sauthtopologyohuezuteiseu, without
ttaveliug-uoteveuwithiuLutope,likealowlyDescattes.
iz. Kaut,Hnthroo/ogyomaPragmaticPointo liea, ttaus. Dowdeu, p. ,
slightlymodihed. lutthetcitatious olKaut'sHnthroo/ogyappeatpateutheti-
callyiuthetext.-Ttaus | .
i,. lammetelyquotiugaudsituatiugthesepassageshete. Llsewhete, itisuec-
essatytoiutetptettheitlimitsaudauthtopologiziuguavet,whethetitisamat-
tetolothetotgauizatioustetmedauimalotolthesaidiusectsthemselves,but
thatisuottheaimhete.
i|. Olcoutse,Naucyistheoueemphasiziugtoaches,whichisoueolthethiugs
thatmakethisseuteuceiutetestiug.Oultatetualuuiouaudiucest,seeNaucy,
Logodaeda/as, p. io;.
i,. lteud,Com/etePs,cho/ogica/vrks,z,. ,oo.-Ttaus TheGetmauteads
RumlichkeitmagdieltojektioudetAusdehuuugdespsychischeuAppatats
seiu. KeiueaudeteAbleituugwahtscheiulich,lteud,Cesamme/tevrke, i;.i,z) .
i6. ustattKautsariori8ediuguugeuuusetespsychischeuAppatats. lsyche
istausgedehut,weissuichtsdavou ,ibid. ) .
i;. lmmauuelKaut,TheTtausceudeutalAesthetic,i uCritiaeoPareRea
son, ttaus.NotmauKempSmith,NewYotk. St.attiu'sltess,i,6,), p. 6?.
i?. lbid. , p. ;o.
i,. lbid. , p. 66.
zo. See|eauLucNaucy, |neensenie,latis. Galile, i,,o) , audHFinite
Ihinking, ed.SimouSpatks ,Staulotd.StaulotdUuivetsityltess, zoo,) ,thecou-
teutsolwhichovetlappattiallywith|neensenie.-Ttaus.
zi. Thishadalteadybeeuwtitteuwheul teceivedacopyolNaucy'sLaci/e
) z| Ns/ss/sPagss(6-(;
aa/oin,latis.Mileetuueuuits, i,,,) ,whichhadj ustbeeupublished,iuthe
setiesLavilleeutite) , oulytodiscovetiuit,atouce,asetiesolseuteucesouce
agaiuampli[iugthethematicsoltouchwhilematugitwiththesameiuhibit-
iugtesttictiou,theouethatmaiutaiusthetouchablewithiutheuutouchable,the
taugiblewithiutheiutact, coutactwithiutact, audsolotth.Theiusisteuceou
coutiguity ,p. ,,doesaimatartes extraartes-nolhislavotitetetms
audthequasi-coutactolptoximatebodiesthatate uotttulytouchiug.Thecity
cauuotbecaptuteduudetoue ideutity . . . . letsitsellbetouchedbycoutsiug,
ttaciug,dtawiug. . . . ,p. ,|) ,butuevettheless,withiuitouegoessidebyside,
passiugbyuattowly,touchiugaudsteppiugback.thepaceisthesame,p. ,6) ,
audouetoucheswithouttouchiug,ouei stouched ,p. ,?) byevetythiugthat
appeatsiuthecity.Auycoutagioubycoutactisthecoutagiouoltemoteplaces,
dissemiuatedcommuuicatiou ,p. 6i) .
8utolcoutse oue will stillbe lat ltom haviug exhausted the stteugth aud
beautyolthistext-oueolthelaitestthatlhavehadthechaucetoteadabout
citiesiugeuetal,audsiugulatlyaboutLosAugeles-altetaualyziugthisobses-
siouoltouch,whichisalsoauobsessiouothecity,obsessivebyesseuceaudbe-
youd esseuce, uamely, olthe placewhete, belote beiug, oue is beiug /esieged
,Thecityhatdlyallowsoueto uttet' lam' buttathet l am iuit. 'Thete,lolded
auduulolded,spaceptecedesbeiug p,,| .
zz. Kaut, CritiqaeoPareReason,ttaus.Smith,p. ;;.
z,. SeeMattiuHeidegget,KantandthePro//emoMetah,sics,ttaus.ichatd
Talt ,8loomiugtou.ludiauaUuivetsityltess, i,,; .
z|. Seetheiuttoductotychaptet, Wheu OutLyesTouch. Totepeat, seuse,
theca/t, olseusatiouthetactilelaculty, lotexample-isoulyotentia/aud
uotactaa/,AtistotlePerisachss|i;a .leeliugotseusiugingenera/eveubelote
itstactilespecihcatiou,alteadyleuds itsellto beiugtakeuiutwoseuses,poteu-
tiallyaudactually, audalwaystodilleteutdegtees.Touchwasalteadyauexcep-
tiou iu thedeh uitiouolseusibleobjects _escesdasensi//e] ,eachbeiugi uit-
sellotaccideutally,ptopetotcommou) .Wheteaseachseusehasitsptopet
seusibleobject _idion} ,colotlotvisiou,souudlottheseuseolheatiug,havotlot
theseuseoltaste),Touch,iudeed,disctimiuatesmotethauoue setoldieteut
qualities .itsobjectcomptisessevetaldilleteutqualities ,ibid. ,|i?a .
z,. 8utexcess oliuteusityiu taugiblequalities,e. g. heat, cold, othatduess,
desttoystheauimalitselAsiuthecaseolevetyseusiblequalityexcessdesttoys
theotgau,sohetewhatistaugibledesttoystouch,whichistbeesseutialmatkol
lile, lotithasbeeushowuthatwithouttouchitisimpossiblelotauauimaltobe.
Thatiswhyexcessiuiuteusityoltaugiblequalitiesdesttoysuotmetelytheot-
gau,buttheauimalitsell,becausethisistheoulyseusewhichitmusthave.
Alltheothetseusesateuecessatytoauimals,aswehavesaid,uotlottheitbe-
iug,butlottheitwellbeiug,AtistotlePerisachss|,,bi|-zo) .
Ns/ss/sPagss;
z6. Posie6( ,i,,,) .
z;. Naucy,Mases, ttaus. Kamul. Citedpateutheticallyiu the text.-Ttaus.
z?. lls|l asacent thevetbi s sacoirhete,auduot connatre, implyiugThey
kuowhetbyheatt, as opposed to lls lacouuaisseut, Theyate acquaiuted
withhet ,e. g. , petsoually) .-Ttaus.
z,. Naucy, Natteu laptseuce, iuLeoids d'aneense, p. i,z. SeeThe
8itthtolteseuce, ttaus. Holmes,iuBirthtoPresence, pp. ,-|,slighymodi-
h ed.-Ttaus. | .
,o. Naucy, Coras, p. ,, ,myemphasis) . Citedpateutheticallyiu thetext.
Ttaus. |
,i. l would like tomeutiou uow alteady that l shall olteu, auduo doubt
tathetlteely, speculateaboutthisptojectolNaucys,ol whichlhithettokuew
ouly thetie, Ladcousttuctiou duchtistiau|sme ,The Decousttuctiou ol
Chtistiauity) . My bookwasvittuallycompleted wheu Naucypublished the
btielttausctiptiouolatalkwiththattie,whichheimptovisediultaly,seehis
Ladcousttuctiouduchtistiauisme,

tadeshi/osohiqaesq i,,? ) TheDe-

cousttuctiou olChtistiauity, ttaus. Simou Spatks, iuRe/igionandMedia, ed.
HeutdetiesaudSamuelWebet,StaulotdStaulotdUuivetsityltess,zooi) .
Ttaus. | .Nowaudtheu lshall alludeto it, ltomthesideliues. Hete, lwouldlike
to emphasize thataltet statiug that Chtistiauityassachhas beeu ovetcome,
Naucyhuttiedlyadds,audthisiswhatl subsctibetohete,uptoaudiucludiug
bothusesolpethaps) Chtistiaui ty|isiuitsellaudthtoughitselliuastateol
ovetcomiug.ThisstateolseocercomingispethapsquiteptopettoChtistiauity,
pethapsitsmostuudetlyiugttaditiou,somethiugthat is cleatlyuotwithouta
cettaiuambiguity ,DecousttuctiouolChtistiauity, ttaus. Spatks, p. ii() .
,z. SeeNaucy,Senseothevr/d, ttaus . Libtett. Citedpateutheticallyiuthe
text.-Ttaus.
,,. Letoacher}ean-LacNanc,i stheotigiualtie.-Ttans.
,|. lu lteuch tappotteutteesaugete seus, euttee coup de seus' ete
coupdesaug ,p. 6,) .-Ttaus.
,, . Sang, centouehuudted| , audsansatehomophoues,sens,with theaddi-
tiouolauaudiblesattheeud,istheitquasi-homophoue.Ttaus.
,6. Spasmaud disteusiou this passagecouh tmsthegapbetweeu extension
,extensio) audsacingolwhichl spokeeatliet, towatdtheeudolChaptetz.
,;. LetusuotbeheldiuthtallbythismechauisticotCattesiauaspect. Llse-
wheteNaucyexptesslywatus usagaiustthisiutetptetatiou,agaiustDescattes
beiugwtoug. Hedoesthispteciselyiuthecoutseolauaualysisoltouchaud
tact beloteauysubject , Naucy, Coras, p. ?,) . Thesttuctuteol artesextra
artes, thus teiutetpteted, aud well beyoud auy coucetu about touch, which
seemstoiuteusioulylatet,tuusthtoughNaucyswholeuvte,ltomi,;?ou-
watdapptoximately, audmotepatticulatlyiualltheplaceswhetelteud'slsyche
.

.
|

_
Ns/ss/sPagss-e:
makesacomeback.lotexample,iuLeoidsd'aneenseThes,cheishtstpsy-
chebyitsextension,artesextraartes, audbytheopacitytoitselliuwhichitte-
maiuswithtespecttothisextetiotityiu-itselotwithtespecttothe- itseq_cet
-soi thatcoustitutes it. , lsycheisexteuded, kuows uothiugaboutit' . this is
lteud'sgteatsayiug. ) ,Poidsd'aneense, p. i|) . SeeCracit,o Ihoaght, ttaus.
RaHoulaudRecco,p. ?,. Thettauslatiouolthelteudquotatiouismodihedto
cottespoudwithitsteuditiouiutheLuglishStaudatdLditiouollteud'swotks
-Ttaus. Seealsothissetiesiuwhichartes extraartes staudsatthesametime
asatetmwithiuthesequeuceandasthetule,whichistosaythe lotmolthe te-
latioubetweeualltetmsiutheseties.Lesitis,thatuttetlysiugulatpageolauex-
ttaotdiuaty chaptet about the otdiuaty, iu sum, begius. Yet we ate touched,
somethiughastouchedsomeseusitivespot,seeNaucy, Lesitis,ttaus.Michael
Sytotiuski, /eFrenchStadies, ?ii,,z| ,p. ,,) .
,?. Llsewhete ,e. g. , iu loietsavoit.Lesdeuxsoutcesdela'teligiou'daus les
limitesdelasimpletaisou, iu Lare/igion, ed. |acques DettidaaudGiauuiat-
timo latis.Seuil,i,,6| , laithaudKuowledge, ttaus.SamuelWebet, iuRe/i-
gion, ed.|acques Dettidaaud Giauuiattimo Staulotd. Staulotd Uuivetsity
ltess,i,,?| ) , lhavettiedtotakeiutoaccouut-iuitsgeuetality, audhtstolall
coucetuiugteligiou-thislogicolimmuuity, audmotepteciselyautoimmuuity.
Oue could uo doubt liuk it hete with what Naucy says about lestetiug im-
muudity, whichwouldbetheexpulsed,theabjectedottejected,theejectedol
theimmuue,oteveuautoimmuue,ptocess.lsu'titthislawoltheautoimmuue
thatcommaudsallChtistiauthiukiugaboutthehesh,oneuwithoutthethiuk-
etskuowledge`We'lleucouutetthesequestiousagaiuiuadiHeteutlotm.
,,. ThishadalteadybeeuwtitteuwheulteadthelollowiugtematkiuNaucy's
Ladcousttuctiou du chtistiauisme TheDecousttuctiou olChtistiauity .
Letusaddthat,pethaps,wedouoteveukuowyetwhatHegel'sdialecticalsub-
latiouteallyis,audpethapswedouotkuowwhatuegativityis. iuotdettoleatu
it,itisuecessatyto diveiutoitsheatt,audtiskhudiugthatthisheattmaywell
beaChtistiauheatt,il maysayso ,

tadeshi/osohiqaes| i,,? . ,o;) This

passageiuthelteuchvetsioucitedby|. D. hasbeeuemeudedltomthevetsiou
publishediuLuglish.-Ttaus. |
|o. Outhispoiut,see|ohuD. Caputo,``^NumbetolMessiauisms, iuIhe
Pra,ersandarso}acqaesDerridaRe/igionthoatRe/igion, 8loomiugtou.lu-
diauaUuivetsityltess,i,,;) ,esp. p. i,,. Seealso|ohuSchad,lictoriansinIhe
or,,Mauchestet.MauchestetUuivetsityltess,i,,,) . Schad,whiletelettiugto
Caputoaslatasthispoiutiscoucetued,alsoputsuesLuthet'sphautomiuMatx
audbeyoudhim,seepp. ,6ll. ) .
|i . Latet,iuNaucysMases, iuthecoutseoloueolhismostsystematicaualy-
ses oltouch aud selltouch, we ouce agaiu come actoss this vetbal value ol
touchiucouuectiouwiththehguteolthetouch.Letoacherpethapsitwould
bebettettosay/a toache, otelseouewouldhavetoptesetvethevetbalvalueol
No/ss/oPagss. )
z
/
tbewotd, as wbeu ouespeaks ol'e seutit,''seusiug'-tbus basuo 'ptimacy' ot
ptivilege'exceptiusolatasitsubotdiuatesuotbiugtoit ,Mases, ttaus.Kamul,
p. i;) . Tbis de-hierarchizingmaybewbat lets tbeptivilegeoltouch,ackuowl-
edgedbyNaucy,distiuguisbitsell-atouceinaudeveuotbetactoceutetedot
bapto-luudameutalistttaditiouevoked eatliet, wbicb l'll soou ttytoexamiue
alittlemoteclosely,witbKaut,Maiuede8itau, llixRavaissou,Hussetl,aud
solotth) .
|z. l. e. , Saisiedessaisieoudessaisissaute.-Ttaus.
|,. Alittlelatet,alotmulaiupateutbesesj ustihestbisexcutsioultomritare,
wtitiug, towatd tbe exscri/edan tbete agaiu l woudetbow it will ttauslate.
,

critareisyetauotbetmisleadugwotd.Tbatwbicbaddtessesitselltotbebody-
outsidecosdehors} iutbiswayscri/esitseaslttytowtiteit,tigbtatmeme
tbis outside,otas tbis outside.),Naucy, Coras, p. zo) .Tbewotdbodyitsel
hually,iuwbicbthisexsctibiugolCoasbotbovetiuvestsauddisiuvests,isyet
auotbetmisleadiugwotd,alate ptoduct oloutoldcultute ,ibid., pp. ,-io) .
Tbeteisuotbiugbutbody.eveu'' 'psycbe'is/od,assoouasitisexteuded,ibid.,
p. zz) .Naucyuotestbisattbepoiutwbetebeagaiucitestbemostlciuatiugte
matk, aud petbaps ,l saytbiswitbout exaggetatiug) tbe most decisive comiug
ltomlteud. . . iutbispostbumousuote,ibid. ). Audiltbeteisuotbiugbutbody,
well, ' ' 8ody' is,petbaps,tbeuuemployedwotdpatexcelleuce. lt is,petbaps, iu
auylauguage,tbewotdtooman,,ibid. , p. zi) .Notetbatbesayspetbapstwice.
q. Seealso,oup. zi.the/reakingoa//nageahere/ngaagetoachessense.
|,. Witb tegatd to tbis autoimmuue, globalatiuiziug exapptoptiatiou ex-
apptoptiatiou auto-immuueetmoudialatiuisaute|

petmitmetoteletagaiu ,a
coupleoltimesdoesu'tcoustituteababit) tomyessaylaitbaudKuowledge
,iuLare/igion,ed. Dettidaaudattimo) .
|6. Oue daytbesetextsou Hocesteuimcotpusmeum ,aud tbusNaucy's,
iupatticulat)willuuavoidablybavetobetoteteadaithnacballeugiugcou
hgutatioui-alltbosetbatLouisMatiubassolucidydevoted,tbtougbout
bis immeusewotk,tosomauyptoblematic,tbeological,bistotical, pbilosopbi-
cal,semautic,audlogical)dimeusiousoltbeLucbatist.Tbistask,tbougbueces
saty, ismotetbaulcauuudettakebeteaudbeyoudthescopeoltbisbook.
|;. We'llcometotbecbaptettitledGlotious8ody,Naucy, Cas,pp.,|)
latet.Letusmetelyuotelotuowthat,iuit,acettaiudecousttuctiou itouically
tecoguizestbesiguatuteolGodbimsell-otatleastoltbecteatot'spowet. lu
ttutb, decousttuctiou cteatiou. Tbecteatot'spowetbasto dowitbtbeotigi
ualdecousttuctiouolauytecoguizableimage ,ibid. , p.,6) .
. Ihs|n/oacha//s o/hsao/s/insns
Novalis, Logologiscbe ltagmeute ,i;,?) , iu Fragments Extraits choisiset
tradaitsarHrme/ Caerne ,latis. Aubiet Moutaigue, i,;,) , pp. ,|-,,, ttaus.
Ns/ss/sPagss
leggyKamuLvidentlythelinewasslightlymodih ed -cl.Novalis,Schren
DievrkeFriedrich conHarden/ergs, ed. laulKluckhohnandRichatdSamuel,
vol.z DasPhi/osohischevrk, i ,Stuttgatt.Kohlhammet,i,?i) , S. ,|i.
i. l. e. , lya/a loi dutact.-Ttans.
z. l . e. , lya/ loidutact. -Ttans.
,. Accotdingto Hussetl,thislossolintuition,thislotmalsymbolismisamo-
mentolctisis,likeanamnesiaolsense.8uthetethelotmulasinquestionatenot
deptivedol intuitionbyaccidentotdutingactisisltomwhichtheymightemetge
simplywiththeteactivationoltheotig|natyintuitionolsense. Ontheconttaty,
thetadicalandessentialimpossibilityolsuchlhllmentiswhattheyaimat,ot
meantosay, theitsense.
|. lcouldnothndanyteallyexplicitteletenceinAtistotletotheblowandthe
catess, the moteotless elliptical tteatment olwhich, altetLevinas, byenti
Maldiney, Didietltanck,and|ean-LouisChttien, lotexample,willbedealt
withlatet.
,. Onecaneasilyseethatitisdilh culttoteducethe,humanotnonhuman)
ss,andinpatticulatthekissonthemouth,toasimplecaseolsomekindollin-
gualtouch -whichmakeslotsetiousptoblemsalteadyintheAtistotelianttadi-
tion. lnhisbookL'ae/etm ronse,latis. Minuit,i,,z) , |eanLouis Chttien
notesthatevenilAtistotleonlyaimsataviewoltheeshasawholeanddoes
notteluseto evokethetactilelnctionoladetetminedpatt, hecomesback
sevetaltimestolingualtouchingandj ustihesindetailthat,compatedtothatol
othetlivingbeings,thehumantongueisthemosttactile,hatiktatmatkngthis
as anatgumentinlavotolman'shighetsensibility. Chttien thenadds One
cannotlailtohnditsutptisinganddisconcettingthatlingualtouchingisevoked
mote olten than manual touching, evenwhen itis aquestion oldesctibing in
whatwayhuman touchingptevailsovetthetouchingolothetanimals ,p. ii|) .
laitquestion, butitcanonlytakeshape ilonelollowsthe mostconstantthe
steadiestandmostpowetlulttadition ,whichweshallhaveto debate lateton) ,
andptesupposesthattheptincipleoltouchmusthtstolallbeincatnatedintbe
hand, especiallyinthehuman hand-aptecisiongenetally but toohastilyheld
tobepleonastic.lutthetmote,whatensuesinthesamepassageshouldtelievethe
authot'ssutptisesinceitisinthevetynameolthisabsoluteptivilegeandolwhat
btingsthehandclosetothesoul thatAtistotle seems onlytosetthehandaart,
whete, in ttuth,olcoutse, he putsita/oce.And hete is the continuationolthis
passage . . . olothetanimals. lotAtistotlethehandistheptehensilehand
thehandthattakes,squeezes,andholds,andthustheemptyotvacanthand,the
handthatcanbecomeanyhingbecauseitisnothing,andinthatwayislikethesoul
,Perisachss,. ?) .
6 Nancy, Coras,p. ?z.
}. Levinas's wtitings about the catess, lollowed by Hussetl's and Metleau-
Ns/ss/sPagss;z;;
lonty's.Tbeninpatticulat, Didietltanck's Chairetcosarhhnomno/ogie
deHasser/,latis.Minuit,i,?i), singingoutbiscbapteton TbeCatessandtbe
Sbock,Icatesseetecboc,pp. i ,?H. ) , wellasCbttien'sL'ae/etmronse
?. SeeNancy,Lepoidsd'unepense, inLeoidsd'aneense, ttans.asTbe
WeigbtolaTbougbt,in Cracit,o Ihoaght, ttans.RalloulandRecco.uota-
tions ltomWeigbtolaTbougbtbaveoccasionallybee sligbtlymodihedot
tendetedinleggyKamul'sttanslationoltbesamepassagesin|acquesDettida,
LetoacherToucb / ToToucbHim. -Ttans.
,. Nancy,WeigbtolaTbougbt, ttans. RalloulandRecco,p. ;,.
io. |eanlaulban,Lareacear/t,mo/ogie,latis.Minuit,i,,,) .
. See wbat is said about eattbquake and tectonic gtavity in lnhme
dpensedequelquesgtammes ,MinuteLxpenseolalewGtams) , acbaptet
inNancy's Coasinwbicbtbebapticallexiconispatticulatlyticb,p. ,o) .
iz. Nancy,WeigbtolaTbougbt,ttans.alloulandRecco, pp. ;;, ?o, em-
pbasisminesligbtlymodih ed.-Ttans. | .
i, . Tbe wotds exacting and demanding ate in Lnglisb in tbe ltencb text.
-Ttans.
i|. SeeLmmanuelLevinas,Letemset/aatre,latis.Attbaud,i,|;, teptint,
ltessesunivetsitaitesdeltance,i,?,) ,pp. ?zll. ,andmeandtheOtherandHd
ditiona/Essa,s,ttans.RicbatdA. Coben,littsbutgb.DuquesneUnivetsityltess,
i,?;) ,p. ?,
i ,. LmmanuelLevinas, Iota/itetinni,TbeHague.ijboll, i,6i) , Iota/it,
andInnit,:HnEssa, onExteriorit,, ttans. Alpbonso Lingis ,littsbutgb. Du-
quesneUnivetsityltess,i,6,) . CitationsolIota/it,andInnit,appeatpaten-
tbeticallyintbetext.-Ttans. |
i6. lot example, inHdieaH Emmanae/Lcinas , lats Galile, i ,,;) see
|acques Dettida,Hdiea toEmmanae/Lecinas, ttans. lascale-Anne 8tault and
Micbael Naas ,Stanlotd. Stanlotd Univetsity ltess, i,,,) -Ttans. | . ln Vio-
lenceandMetapbysics ,in vritingandDrence, ttansAlan 8ass Cbicago.
UnivetsityolCbicagoltess, i,;?| , p. ?, andpassim) , l btoacbedLevinasstbe-
maticbandlingoltbecatess-tbismovementcattyingtowatdtbeuntoucbable,
eekeinatsoasias,beyondbeing,otbeings-butalso,andcottelatively, acettain
,obsessiveandattimestatbetpbobic) misttustwitbtegatdtotbetactile,andin
lacttoanycontact.Avowolabstinencebastobeanytbingexceptacontactpbo-
bia-quitetbeconttaty,illmaysayso
i;. To toucbandtotoucbonesell_toacheretsetoacher ,totoucbonesell
toucbed-toucbing). |Tbeydo not coincideintbebody.tbetoucbingis nevet
exactlytbetoucbed.Tbisdoesnotmeantbattbeycoincide' intbemind'andat
tbelevelol'consciousness. 'Sometbingelsetbantbebodyisneededlottbej unc-
tiontobemade.ittakesplaceintbeantoacha//eTbatoltbeotbetwbicblwill
nevettoucb. 8utwbatlwillnevettoucb,bedoesnottoucbeitbet,noptivilege
; ; o No/ss/oPagss-:
olonesellovettbeotbetbete,itistbetelotenottbeconscioasnesstbatistbeun-
toucbable. . . WotkingNotes, inetleaulonty, si//eandtheIncisi//e,
ttans.Lingis,p. ,|) .We'llcomebacktotbesemattetslatet.
Sincetbeuntoucbablebeteisneitbetmindnotconsciousnessbut,vetily,body
ptopetandintbeesb, onebasindeed to tbinktbelogicolanuntoucbablete-
mainingtgbtattigbtontbetoucbable,ilonemaysaysostill.Tbistoucbable-
untoucbable,wbicbwettytobedgeinltomallsides,asitwete,byapptoacbing
itwitboutbeingabletoapptoacbtoomucb,yetltommultiplesidesandways)
isnotsomeone, notisitwbatcettaincultutestetm an untoucbable. 8uttbis
untoucbablewtbitsrohi/itionagainstbeingtoucbedcouldnotbeannounced,
named, and identihed intbiswayexcept inasmucb as-let mesttess again
tbeteissometoucbableuntoucbableingenetal,beloteanyteligion,cult,otpto-
bibition.Anyvowolabstinence-benceavowingbotbtbe toucbable andtbe
untoucbable-expetimentswitbtbetoucbableasuntoucbable,inabettayaltbat
is otiginatyandtbetelote unlotgivable, ot imrescriti//e, as is said olctimes
againstbumanityinltancetoday.outsidetbestatuteollimitations.
i?. Speakingolmyunspeakabletemptation,lsbouldconlesstobeingtempted.
togoalltbewayandsaytbattbecatessnotonlytoucbesotbotdetsontbemes-
sianic,buttbatitistbeonlycapable,possible,andsigniingexpetiencelottbe
messianictosbowtbtougb.Tbemessianiccanonlybesttoked.
i,. Levinaswtitesluttbet. lts Ltos's movement consists ingoingbeyond
tbepossible , p. z6i) ,and``Anot ,etmotetemotetbanalutute,atempotalnot
,et, evincingdegteesinnotbingness ,p. z6|) .
o. Sincetbisisexplicitlyananalysisoltbeesb,tbebodyptopetexpetienced
ascatnal, andnasmucbasitisnotteducedtotbelace,onesbouldnodoubt
questiontbesetextswitbinawideconhgutation,wbicbisstilltocome,lotLev-
inas,olcoutse,doesnottelettotbesetextsassucb) .conhgutedwitbHussetl,es-
peciallyinIdeasI wbicbLevinaslatetcommentsupon) ,witbetleau-lonty
,especiallyinigsand Ihelisi//eandtheIncisi//e) ,witbDidietltanck,espe-
ciallyin bis lncatnation olAnotbet8ody incatnation d'un autte cotps| ,
laitingandResemblance Accouplementettessemblance| , andTbeCatess
andtbeSbock Lacatesseetecboc , in Chairetcors) , andwitbCbttienin
L'ae/et/a ronse. A lew specih celements oltbis conhgutation ot tatbet
ttend moacance} willbeptovidedlatet.
zi. l am emphasizingexotbitant becauseoltbesttange tecuttence oltbis
wotdinLevinasanditstegulatteappeatanceindilletentcontextsintbewtitings
olotbets. SeeCbaptet,, Tangentlll.
zz. l. e. , sansqu'onaitl'aitd'ytoucbet. -Ttans.
z,. Levinas'sempbasis. lotmypatt,l 'dbaveempbasizedtbewitbout's, as
ils, andalltbenot's tbatdelibetatelydisotient tbeontopbenomenological
syntax,evenildialectical.TbisiswbatLevinasdesctibes-wbiledelimitingit,
otestoages ) ) I
witb agestutelamiliati nHeidegget-asa conttadiction lot lotmallogic
alone.Tbus,lotexample.Voluptuosity, asptolanation,discovetstbebiddenas
bidden.Anexceptionaltelationistbusaccomplisbedinaconunctutewbicb,
lotlotmallogic,wouldatiseltomconttadiction.tbediscoveteddoesnotloseits
mystetyintbediscovety,tbebiddenisnotdisclosed,tbenigbtisnotdispetsed.
Tbeptolanation-discovetyabidesinmodesty, beitundettbeguiseolimmod-
esty.tbeclandestineuncoveteddoesnotacquitetbestatusoltbedisclosed, Io
ta/it,andInnit,, p. z6o) .Tbeleastonecansayistbattbiscomplicatestbetas
olwbatLevinastitlesalbenomenologyolVoluptuousnessin Iimeandthe
Other.
z|. lbavealteadysuggestedtbisin tbelotewotd,'vances'')toSetgeMatgels
bookLetom/eaadadieaartisan ,latis. Minuit,i,,,) .
z,. SeeApuleius, Tbe MostlleasantandDelectableTaleoltbeMattiage ol
Cupidandlsycbe, inIhe Co/denHss, b. ,, ttans. Wi|liamAdlington,i,66) ,
bttp.//icg. batvatd. edu/cbaucetcanttales /cletk/cup-psy.btml,accessedDecembet
I}, zoo|) .-Ttans.
z6. Tbismaybeagoodplacetotecall,aswe'lldolatetltomanotbetpointol
view) tbatHentiMaldineybasanotiginalwayolotientingacettaintbinkingol
tbeuntoucbableinMetleau-lontytowatdatbematicsoltbecatess,wbicbwould
notbetbetactileexplotationolatbing.
Jlc rcvclaton ol hcsl culmnatcs n tlc carcss, wlcrc tlc cing ol tlc hcsl and tlc
carnal cxpcricncc coincidc in tlc lclt-cing /ctrc-scntt] ol tlc body ol tlc otlcr wlicl
is cxactly rcvcalcd as hcsl . . . . ^ccording to tlis intcntionality ol purc agcncy lrom
wlicl tlc carcss is suspcndcd, wlat docs tlc carcss intcnd in its vcry toucling: It in-
tcnds tlc untau:/ab/c. tlat ol tlc h csl tlat I will ncvcr toucl.
Jlc untouclablc, and as wcll tlc invisiblc, arc an inirrnsic dimcnsion ol tlc hcsl
ol tlc world tlat I toucl and tlat I scc. Ncrlcau-Ionty says tlat it is tlc invisiblc ol
tlc world tlat makcs tlc world visiblc. J lc invisiblc is not addcd to tlc visiblc in or-
dcr to makc witl it a total. ,Icnri Naldincy, Ilcsl and Vcrb in tlc Ililosoply ol
Ncrlcau-Ionty, in C/tasms. /cr/cau-!ant attan a[!/cs/, cd. Ircd Lvans and Lcon-
ard Lawlor ^lbany. 5tatc Inivcrsity ol lcw York Ircss, zooo] , p. 6z)
z;. HeteLevinasempbasizestbewotdmanicre,petbapstosuggestawayand
ahguteoltbeband.
z?. Tbisnonsgni[ingnessisnotaninsignih canceopposedtosignihcance,
anymotetbantbebeyondoltbelaceceasestoimplytbelace.Tbisistbepte-
cautiononemustnotlailtotaewbenoneissogtavelyinsctibingacettainin-
cersionoltbelace andacettaindigarementontbesideollemininity. ln
tbis invetsionoltbelaceinlemininity, in tbis dishgutementtbatteletsto tbe
lace,non-signi[ingnessabides intbesigni[ingnessoltbelace, Iota/it,andIn
nit,, pp. z6z6,) . lloneteadswbatlollows,onecomesactosstbemotilolgtav
ity. lemininebeauty would become weigbtless gtace only ilitlet itsellbe
) ) 2 Ns/ss/sPagss-,
convettedbytbeattist'sband,wben tbebeautilulolatt incertstbebeautyol
tbelemininelace,p. z6,,Levinas'sempbasis) .
z,. lamleavingoutoltbepictutetbequestionolLevinas'stteatmentoltbe
animal-onputpose,sinceitistbeobjectolasepatatestudyinadiHetentbook
,see'animalquedoncjesuis, inLanima/aato/iogahiqaeHatoarde}acqaes
Derrida, ed. Matie-LouiseMalletlatis.Galile,i,,,| , p. z6|) .
,o. Alewyeatslatet ini,6,, intbecoutseolatematkableanalysisolsome
passagesinHussetl'sIdeasII,wbicbwe'llsoonintutntutnto) ,Levinastookan
intetestintbesttuctuteoltbesentient-sensedltomanotbetpointolview-one
tbatisdilletentbutcouldbeintetestingwbentestedagainsttbeseanalysesoltbe
catess.Tbisalsogoeswitbacertain mannerothehand themanaaAndabout
tbese Emndnisse ellacingbywayoltbeitvety indetetminacy tbe sentient-
sensedandsubject-objectsttuctutes,wbicbtbewotdEmndangsuggests, Lev
inas adds inanote.Onebatdlydates tocteateaneologismtottanslatetbis no-
tion.tbetetmsentancecouldpetbapsexptesstbedisecbatactetoltbisnotion
,lntentionnalitetsensation,inmmanuel Levinas,Endcoacrant/'existence
acecHasser/etHeideerlatis.Vtin,i,6;| , p. i,;) . Myttanslation.-Ttans. |
DidietltanckalsoteletstotbisinChairetcors, p. ,;. lti sontbevetysame
pagewbeteLevinastwicealludes,witbintbeHussetliananalysis, to akindol
ndamental andimmediateiterationwbosesensationistbeeventitselltbat
beptoposestbewotdsentance.TbisconstitutiveitetationmakesoltbeEmnd
nissesextensionsometbingotbettbanasimplespatialextension. ltopensanin-
tentionalexpetienceospaceinspace.
,i. We'lltetutntotbequestionoltbeSonlatetinamoteCbtistiancontext.l
putposelyintettupt tbis analysis at tbepointwbetewe askoutselves, aswe go
ltomloveandLtos to lecundity,wbetbetLtos basendedandacknowledgedits
owndeatb,moutningitsell,andwbetbethliation ,especiallypatetnity, sons and
btotbets,wbicb atebete tbeonlytbemesoltbis analysis ollecundity) opensto
watdabappyandlegitimateissuelottbis ttagiclailinginsolitude.Tbisisaptob-
leml baveapptoacbedinotbettextsdedicatedtoLevinas'stbinking,Violence
andMetapbysics,initingandD rence, ttans. 8ass,pp. ;,-i,,, Ps,chand
HdieatoEmmana/Lecinas,ttans.8taultandNaas) .See,bete,tbecbaptetsinI-
ta/it,andInnit,lollowingtbosej ustevoked,ltomlecunditytoliliationand
latetnity.
ltispossible-l'mnotcettain-tbattbequestionsposedbytbese tbteetexts
intetsectwitbtbosetbatLuceltigataytaisesinTbelecundityoltbeCatess.A
ReadingolLevinas, Iota/it,andInnit,,'lbenomenologyoltos, tbecbaptet
sbedevotestoLevinasinHnEthicsoSexaa/D rence,ttans.Catolyn8utkeand
GillianC. Gill, ltbaca,N..CotnellUnivetsityltess,i,,,) .8eloteotalitycomes
tobe,toucbisalteadyinexistence, sbeobsetves,ibid. , p. i?;) attbeoutsetola
teadingintettwinedwitb ameditationon God's becomingoutsidetoucb hors
Ns/ss/sPagssy1y,
) ) )
tact} andontbememotyoltoucbing,"tbemostinsistentandtbemostdi
culttoentetintomemoty" ,ibid. ,p. zi,) .
,z. Leviuasuevetspeaksolpetjuty,itseemstome, notoloatbs-atleastnot
intbesetetms. l ttiedinHdieatoEmmanae/Lecinas, byanotbettouteleading
totbesametbing,todemonsttatetbiskindolquasi-ttanscendentalinevitability
olpetjuty.
,. Iends
I. SeeLevinas, ta/it,andInni, ttans. Liugis,p. z;,.
z. ln anintetviewgiven aquattetolacentutylatet, Levinas exptessescon
cetnsaboutbisownuseoltbewotdlove. "Asilbewetetettactiugit,wanting
toellacetbesymmettyottbetevetsibilitytbattbewotdseems to suggest, and
aboveal|tbeconcupiscence, "tbatis,tbeconcupiscentdesitelotwbatCbtistian
languagecallstbe esb-butnottbeetotic.lbesitatetousetbewotdlove,'l 'm
vetywaty,loltensaytbatl'venevetusedtbewotd'love',tbewotdtesponsibil-
ity, ' intbewayl useit,islove'sstetnname-lovewitboutconcupiscence,love
witbout teciptocity-inaway, anittevetsibletelationsbip. . . . l mustlogically
gotbtougbtbeunteectedtesponsibilityoltbisetoticsociety-tbissocietywitb-
outconcupiscence-audtakeintoconsidetationmyinsettionintoasocietywbose
membetsl ptoceedtocompate, in otdettobewitbin tbeobjectivitycalledlot
byj ustice, and tbat gtoundsj ustice. l dehneloveas anotionollogic-is tbis
navetpetbaps`-andputitintbetegistetolknowledge,wbilespeciinggen-
det,species,andindividual. "SeeLnttetieuLvinas-cut,inLcinasPhi/os-
oheetdagogae,latis.Nadit,i,,?) pp. i6-i;. Myttanslation.-Ttans. |
) . l . e. , etendtenes'ptouvequ'tendte"-Ttans.
|. SeeNancy,ExerienceoFreedom, ttans. McDonald. lottbegiltisnevet
putelyaud simplygiven. ltdoesnotvanisbintbeteceiptoltbegilt-otoltbe
'ptesent. ' Tbegiltispteciselytbatwbose'ptesent'audptesentationatenotlostin
atealizedptesence.Tbegiiswbatcomesupsar-cient}totbeptesenceolits'ptes-
ent. ' ltistbuskept, intbiscoming-upandsutptiseoltbegin,asgilt,astbegiv-
ingoltbegi. lntbisitisanoHeting,otwitbdtawal,oltbegiltintbeginitsell.
tbewitbdtawal olitsbeingptesentandtbekeeping_retenae} olitssutptise. ltis
notaquestionbeteoltbeecouomyoltbegin. . . . TbeoHetingistbeinestimable
pticeoltbegin", pp. i|6|;sligbtlymodih ed-Ttans. | ) . lndeed,itcomesdown
toacettainlteedom. "Ontbetopicollteedom,seetbetextbyD. Giovannaugeli,
wbicbalsodelswitbNancy, inLeasagedesoncres, latis.Galile,i,,|) ,p.6?.
Tbequestiontemaiusolwbetbettbevalueolkeeping"otguatding, wbicbis
tecuttentanddecisiveintbiswbolepassageandindispensabletodistinguisbbe-
tweentbegiandtbeoHeting,tbeoHetingintbegin,allowsonetoescbeweco
nomics.Onemaydoubtit,assuggestedeatliet,seeCbaptetzSpacings") .
;;| Ns/ss/sPagss,e-,,
,. See Nancy,Senseothevr/d ttans.Libtett
6. |eanLucNancy,L'intras,latis.Galile,zooo) ,p. i,, ttans.SusanHanson
as lnttus, CRNeaCentennia/Reciea, ,zooz) . z Tbetext,h tstcitculated
ontbelntetnet,wastbenhtstpublisbedinD/e,-io ,i,,,) .-Ttans.|
;. Nancy, lntus, ttans.Hanson,pio.
?. lbid. ,p. II.
,. See|ean-LucNancy,TbeSublimeOlleting,ttans.|eHteyLibtett,inFi
niteIhinking, ed.Spatks,pp. zii-||.
io. Onemustcbangesense,passltomsigbttotact.tbispbtaseisemended
inLibtettsttanslation.ltsplaceisonpagez,,,secondpatagtapb,,endingoltbe)
tbitdsentence.ltoccutsin|neensenie, onpagei;,. ltbasbeenteinsetted
beteinleggyKamul'stendition.-Ttans.
II. Nancy, SublimeOlleting,ttans. Libtett,p z,, sbottpassageadded
Ttans. |
iz. Geotge 8etkeley,Phi/osohica/vrks, Inc/adingthevrksonsion,Lon-
don.vetyman,i,,,),p. ,|.Seealso,e. g. ,onp. z,,)tbepassagesonexpetience
andconnexion,wbicbptoducetbesamecommon nameslotideasotobjects
,eitbetvisibleottangible)tbattemaintadicallybetetogeneousanditteducibleto
oneanotbet.
i,. lbid. , pp 6i-6z.
Iq. lbid. ,p z,6,Tbetbeotyolvision. . . vindicatedandexplained.
i, lnDeconsttuctionolCbtistianity, ttans.Spatks,citedeatliet,Nancysays
attbe same timetbatwemusthndsomethingee,and tbattbatistbe tbingit-
selltobetbougbt. T| bequestioniswbetbetwecan. . locateattbebeattol
Cbtistianityatoot_rocenancemoteotiginaltbanCbtistianityitsell,atoottbat
migbtallowanotbetpossibilitytoatise ,p. ii6) . atliet,bewtites. Letussay,
tben,camgranosa/is, tbiswouldptobablybemywayolbeingpbenomenologi-
cal) , tbatCbtistianityottbeCbtistianistbevetytbing-cthingitseqtbat
bastobetbougbt,p. ii,) .
i6. |ean-LucNancy, towboml badspokenabout mylong-standingwisb to
wtite onbis tbinkingabouttoucb ,andwbosincetben,witbagentleitony, bas
goneon puttingout evet mote tactileantennaeolbis cotpus) wtote to me in
August i,,i.
5omconc] . . . has wrttcn to mc about hrstanty (n rclaton to ccrtan ol my
tcxts-but wthout cstablshng any postvc rclaton) , and hc sad n passng, Cur
lath no longcr has any noton ol what thc dvnc touch mght bc-lor hrstanty s
ndccd a rclgon ol thc touch, whatcvcr onc mght lkc to do about that (jcsus lcts
hmscll bc touchcd and ths s not wthout mcanng) . cll hcrc, dcar jacqucs, s
somcthng that can rcvvc a ccrtan mschcvous rcmark, whch has on occason shown
up, about my hrstanty.
TbeannouncementoltbedeconsttuctionolCbtistianitytbenlollowed
otestoagesoo
) ) ;
i;. SeealsoMatkI. |o-|z,andLuke ,i,. Lnglisb8iblequotationsateltom
tbeRevisedStandatdVetsion,sligbtlymodihed.-Ttans. |
i? nMemoirsotheB/ind, ttans.8taultandNaas,l ttiedtolollowtbepatb
oltbis Cbtistitoucb andmote genetally tbis telation betweentbe tactile and
ligbt,betweenband, hngetandeye.
i,. About toucbingandbealingtbeeat,seeLukezz. ,.
zo. SeealsoLuke? |,-,|abouttbissameepisode.
zi. Tbeteagain, toucbingsignihestbemomentolpatdon,byvittueollove
,'ndbesaidtotbewoman,Youlaitbbassavedyou,goinpeace' Luke;. ,o| ) .
zz. |esussaitb untobet,Toucbmenoti s tbeKing|amesVetsion, |esus
saidtobet, Do notboldme istbeRevisedStandatdVetsionol|obn zo. i;.
-Ttans.
z,. lntbeLpistles ,Cotintbians, Colossians,Timotby Hebtews) , tbe motil
andtbelexiconoltoucbatemoteolten associatedwitbaptobibition. donot
toucb, let tbattemainuntoucbable. SinceTbomasDidymusbas been men
tioned,we couldattemptateading,oneamongmanyotbetpossibleones) ol
Mautice8lancbot'sIhomas/'O/scarasanabyssal,meditativehctivetecollection
oltbis evangelical episode played back in tbisway. ltom tbe statt, tbe book
teemswitbexamplesconcetningtbistoucbableuntoucbable,alwaysbetween
anddeath, aords andanima Desitewas tbis samecotpsewbicb openedits
eyesandknowingitselltobedeadclimbedawkwatdlybackupintobismoutb
likeananimalswallowedalive . . . . Heknewwitbtettiblecettaintytbatit bis
tbougbt| , too,waslookinglotawaytoentetintobim. Againstbislips,inbis
moutb, itwaslotcingitswaytowatd amonsttousunion.8elowbiseyelids,it
cteated a necessatysigbt . . . . Handsandcotpseswete taken away. Alone,tbe
bodyolTbomastemained,deptivedolitssenses. Andtbougbt,bavingenteted
bim again, excbanged contactwitb tbe void ,Tbomas tbe Obscute, ttans.
RobettLambetton, inIheStationHi//B/anchotReader ictionandLiterar,Es
sa,s 8attytown, N. . StationHillltess 8attytown, Ltc , i,,,| , p.6i) . ntbe
lamousteadingscene,attbebeginningolcbaptet|,wotdsatewatcbingTbomas
likebeastsolpteytbatlettbemselvesbetoachedbyalook n telationtoevety
symbol,bewasintbepositionoltbemaleptayingmantisabouttobedevouted
bytbelemale. Tbeylooked ateacb otbet. Tbewotds, coming lottb ltomtbe
bookwbicbwastakingontbepowetollile anddeatb, exetcisedagentleand
peacelulatttactionovettbeglancewbicbplayedovettbem,ibid ,p. 6;) .And
luttbet,intbesamecbaptet.Hisbandssougbttotoucbanimpalpableandun-
teal body . . . . His beadwas lotced to toucb tbe evil, bis lungs to bteatbe it
in . . . . twasintbisstatetbatbeleltbimsellbittenotsttuck,becouldnottell
wbicb,bywbatseemedtobimtobeawotd,buttesembledtatbetagianttat,an
all-powetlul beastwitbpietcingeyesandputeteetb ,ibid , p. 6,)
z|. |ean-LucNancy, Unepensehnie, in|neense nie` liniteTbink
Ns/ss/sPagss1{1r;
ing, ttans.Ldwatd8ullatd,|onatbanDebysb|te,andSimon Spatks, inFinite
Ihinking, ed. Spatks,pp.,-,o.
z,. NancyExerienceoFreedom,ttans.McDonald,p } sligbtlymodihed
Ttans. | .
z6. See tbe entite conclusionoltbecbaptetAteWe lteeto Speakolltee-
dom`, ibid. ,pp.i?.
z;. lbid. , p. ?.
z?. lbid. , p. } sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .Tbissensible,motepteciselytac-
tile,hgutality, tegulatlymatkstbeexpositionolExerienceoFreedom,especially
wbeteteacbingalimit isatissue.
z,. Nancy, SublimeOlleting,ttans.Libtett,p. z,, sbottpassageadded-
Ttans. | .
,o. SeeNancy,Logodaeda/as.
,i. Nancy, SublimeOlleting,ttans.Libtett, p. z,z.
,z. lbid. , p. z,,
6 Ns/hing/sDsinSigh/
I. litst publisbed in Critiqae ,|anuaty-lebtuaty i,??) ,as Le tite, lapt-
sence) , tbenteissuedin|neensenieandBirthtoPresence, ttans. McVatisb,
pp. ,6?-,z,tbistext, Laugbtet, ltesence,isatonce ,andatleast-sincelsball
notventutetosumitupotj ustteduceitintbisway) amagnihcentteadingol
8audelaites Tbe Desiteto laint, andoltbelaugbtet inittbat 8audelaite
conttivestomakeusbeatandsee.tbelaugbtetolawidemoutb,tedandwbite
andalluting, tbatmakesonedteamoltbemitacleolasupetbowetblooming
onavolcanicsoil,Laugbtet,ltesence, inBirthtoPresence,p. ,;o) . Laugbtet,
ltesenceisalsoapowetlulmeditationaboutatt,theattsandsense,thesensesol
att, attsandtbesenses. 8audelaite's Tbe Desite to laint appeatsin Cbatles
8audelaite,ParisS/een,ttans.LouiseVatse, NewYotk.NewDitections,i,|;) ,
LmilyMcVatisb's vetsionas it appeats in IheBirthtoPresence, pp. ,6?,z, is
quoted.-Ttans. |
z. Nancy, Laugbtet, ltesence, ttans. McVatisb, p. ,?, sligbtlymodihed
-Ttans. | .
,. lbid. , pp. ,??-?,.
q. Nancy, BeingSinga/arP/attans.icbatdsonandO' 8ytne. lntbepas-
sagetbatlollows,citationsolBeingSinga/arP/ara/appeatpatentbeticallyintbe
text.-Ttans. |
. One'sbeatattbebeattoltbeotbet's beatt.Aman'sbeattotawoman's.
Nancybas no inkling olwbicb, besays, about tbebeatttbatsutvives inbim
bencelottb.Amansotawomans`Tbisistbeplacelotatemindet.innotmal
conditions andbelote anyvittual ttansplantation, onlyawoman can leel tbe
Ns/ss/sPagss
_

_
, ;;/
beatolsomeoneelse'sbeatti nbet.Tbewotdlot|ti s ptegnancy. l nmitacu
lousconditions,intbeexttaotdinatystotyolllesbandlncatnation-butwitb-
outttansplantationitisannouncedasanAnunciationtwobeattsinyou.8e
tweenManandGod,|esus'sSactedHeatttbenbeginstobeatwitbinMaty,one
oloutMatys.
Mayldecentlygiveintoatemptationandbtingupanalmostsectettecollec
tion` ,l liketo temembetit,bappily, likeasbatedgtace.) Ontbeeveoftbeo
eation ofwbicb we spoke eatliet, wben Nancywas aboutto cbange beatts, l
beatdmyselftellbimontbepbone,ltomCalifotnia.Dontwotty, l'llwakeup
witbyou.
Andinacettainway, tbougb l knewi t t obemoteeasilysaidtban done, l
tbougbtl couldtecognizeintbis,totbelettet,ahguteolttutb, datelsaymucb
latgettbanl-a|itetallytangiblehguteoltbebeatt'sttutb,aswellas tbettutb
ofan incommensutablegtatitude, towatdwboacceptsandteceives,towatdtbe
ltiendwbodoesn'ttejectandwbosebodyconsents to keeptbebeatolanotbet
manotanotbetwoman,towatdwbo ,tbtougb tbisinctediblesarcica andina
bettetway) lets usgive tbougbtto tbebottomoltbe beatt, its inmostdeptbs,
lattbettbantbedeptbsolwbatsomucbtecollectionandmemotygivesusas a
legacy,wbetevetweatetoldabouttbebeatt,ltomtbe8ibletolascaltoMat-
tinHeidegget-memoty, ptecisely, tbetewbeteitjoinswitbtbinking,witbtbe
gtaceolgtatitudewitbloveotltiendsbip.
6. Geotges8ataille,Histoiredes rats, in acres com/ctes, vol., ,latis.Galli
matd,i,;i) ,p. ii|.``A StotyolRats, inIheImossi//eHStor,oRats, Fo/oaed
/, Dianasand/, theOresteia, ttans.RobettHutley,Sanltancisco.Cityigbts,
i,,i) ,pp. ,-z6,vetysligbtlymodih ed.Ttans.
}. Nooffenseismeantagainsttbesingulatityoltbislaugb,answetingacet
tain8audelaite-tatbettban 8ataille) , butbowcanwe notletittingtogetbet
witbtbelaugbtettbatseemstocomelottbontbelastpageol|neensenie
At tbeendolDei patalysis ptogtessiva ttans.Tbomas Hattison, inBirthto
Presence,pp.|?-,;|
'
wbicbalsotellsolNietzscbe'send,deatb,j ubilation,patal
ysis. 'onecandieftombeingimmottal '' ) ,onecanbeattbeobligationtosing
-tosing,saysNietzscbetbeCtucihedtoletetGast,anewsong Singmea
newsong ,BirthtoPresence, p. ,6) .
Tbete again laugbtet-silent laugbtet tbis -/aaghs toaching. 8ut it
laugbstbetoucbing-witbouttoucbingoltbelimit-attainingwitbouttoucbing
it.Nancywtites.Tobimtbebeavensatenolongettbebeavenoneteacbesaltet
passing tbtougb deatb. Hete, too, deatb sbtinks into nsignihcance, now no
longetbecauseit ptecedesitsellin patalysis,butbecausetbe lilewbicbwill at-
tainit, wbicb isalwaysalteadyintbeptocessolattainingit,doesnot init,toach
ontbemomentolmediation,ibid. , p. ,;,lempbasizeattainingaswellastbe
sttangesyntax oltbis does not, init, toucb. -|. D. ) . Wbat attains,witbout
Ns/ss/sPagss1z-1z{
toucbinginside,ttacesakindolwtiting,otawayolwtitingandsigning,bete
wbatNancyalittle latettetms asingulatttace trac} , a hnitudewboselimit
putsintoplayeacbtimeanewtbewbolespacingoltbewotld Deatb,j ubila-
tion,patalysis.tbeendisendless,ibid. , p. ,;) .
?. llatoPhaedo, ttans. 8enjamin|owett, 6,b.
,. llatoRea//ic, ttans.8enjamin|owett,i. 6e.
io. 8laiselascal,PensesandOthervritings, ttans.HonotLevi,OxlotdOx-
lotdUnivetsityltess,i,,,) ,p. izzPenseno. ,,| .
!. llotinusEnneads 6. ,. ;, oeb ed. , ttans. A. H. Atmsttong ,Cambtidge,
Mass. . HatvatdUnivetsityltess,i,??) .
iz. lbid.
i, lbid. , ,. ,. i;.
i|. lbid. , ,. ,. io. lnL'ae/et/a ronse, p. i,|,|ean-ouisCbttiencitesan-
otbetpassageintbeEnneadsaswell,| |. z,and,. z,)andspecihes. lotllotinus
otSaintAugustine,wboptoh tltomptogtessmadeintbestudyolnetvouspbys-
io|ogy, Atistotle's explanation isobsolete. 8ut llotinus says tbat tbeotgan ol
toucb is tbewbole body,an tosma, and tbis keeps itapatt ltomtbe otbet
senses.SaintAugustinewtitestbattbevetysenseoltoucbisdillusetbtougbout
tbebody. AndMatsilioicino wtites| . Tactus,quipetomniamembtaunivet-
salisestanimaesensus. ' SeealsoCbapteti,ontbispoint.
i,. AtistotleMetah,sicalambdaiz| ,;. io;zb. i,zi,ttans.V D.oss,ina-
sicvrksoHristoe, 6?,l Tbis passage is quoted byCbttieninL'ae/etm
ronse,pp. i ,o-,i.TbelattetlollowstbeTbomistlineageotintetptetationoltbis
hguteandespeciallyinsistsontbeptimacyoltbeintelligible.Tbiscleatlyas
settedptimacywouldmatkattbesametimetbeitteducibilityolttanscendence
andatadicaldiHetenceltommyabsolutecontactwitbmysell'ol wbicbMetleau-
lontyspeaks inPhnomno/ogiedemercetion,latis.Gallimatd,i,|,) , ttans.
ColinSmitbasPhenomeno/ogyoPercetion,London.Routledge,,6z) , p. ,|,.
Ttans |
'
andltomaauto-aHection. We'llcomebacktotbislatet.
i6. Henti8etgson,lnttoductiontoMetapbysics,inIheCreaticeMinttans.
MabelleL.Andison,NewYotk lbilosopbicalLibtaty, i,|6) , p. i,,.
i;. lbid.
i?. lbid. , pp. ,,-,6. Myempbasis. 8etgsondoessaycontact andcoinci-
dence. Tbestakesatetatbetweigbty-we' llkeeptakingtbemeasuteoltbis.
8etgsondoesnotsay,notbeteinanycase) pattialcoincidence,as Metleau-
lontydoes inbisatticle8etgson intbe Making, inSigns ,ttans.RicbatdC.
McCleatyLvanston,lll. . NottbwestetnUnivetsityltess,i,6|| ) . Tbisteadingol
8etgsonbyMetleau-lonty,attbispointolcontact,isexaminedlatetseeCbap-
tet;,Tangentl .
i,. GillesDeleuzeandlixGuattati,TbeSmootbandtbeSttiated,inH
IhoasandP/ateaas Caita/ismandSchizohrenia, ttans. 8tianMassumi Min
Ns/ss/sPagss1z{1z; ) ) )
neapolis.Univetsityol Minnesotaltess, i,?;) , pp.|,z-,,. Despitetbesetelet-
ences,Deleuzeand Guattatiateintenton takingsometisks" and makngltee
useoltbesenotions ,p. |,,)
zo. lbid. , p. |,|
zi. lbid. Myempbasis.-|.D.
zz. SeeHlneCixous, Savoit,in ei, ttans. Geolltey8ennington,Stan-
lotd.StanlotdUnivetsityltess,zooi) Citedpatentbeticalyintbetext.-Ttans. |
z, . l. e. , amiracas.ans.
z|. lntbesamebook i. e. , Cixous, ei/s} ,tatbettbanbyvisionandtbeveil
,tevelation, unveilingoltbettutb) ,itisbywayolatoachtbatldistinguisbtbe
ptayetsbawl,ottallitb, initsanimal-likehgute. ` ptayetsbawllliketo toucb
motetbantosee,andto catessevetyday, to kisswitbouteven openingmyeyes
otevenwbenittemainswtappedinapapetbagintowbicbl stickmybandat
nigbt, eyes closed. . . . 8elote seeing otknowing, belote lote-seeingand lote-
knowing,itiswotninmemotyoltbeLaw"(``A SilkwotmolOne'sOwn. loints
olViewStitcbedontbeOtbetVeil, "in ei/s, p. |,)
l n acquesDettida|Ladissmination,latis.Seuil,i,;z)teadingandwtiting
andtbevetyexpetienceoltextcallontbisintetlacingolawovenwebandwbat
temainstobetoachednolesstbanseen.againstakindolctiticismtbatisdelud
ingitsellinwantingtolookattbetextwitbouttoucbingit,witboutlayinga
band ontbe'object' ,Disseminaton, ttans. 8atbata|obnson Cbicago. Univet
sityolCbicago ltess, i,?i| , p. 6,)
z, . DeleuzeandGuattati, IhoasandP/ateaas,pp. |,z-,,.
z6. lbid , p. |,,. Myempbasis.-.D.
z; lbid. ,pp. |;|;,
z? Nancyempbasizeshere. . . Hocestenimcotpusmeum'''-be,inciden-
tally,vetyonenmakesuseoltbisbeteinatematkable,diHetentiatedway. is
betedesetvesastudyolitsown.Myownundetscotingolptivilegegivento
immediacy" andolwbatNancyopposestoit,namely,local,modal,ltactal
alsoempbasized-caneasilybeundetstood.
8util lbaveundetscotedptopetly, "itisbecause,wbilegtaspingitspedagog
icalandtbetoticalnecessity, lcontinuetobatbotdoubtsabouttbepossibilityot
tbesenseolsucbaptopetness"olwtitingotitsbody.To sayitwitboutanyde
touts,lptoposetodebatetbecompatibilitybetweentbisptopetlyolitandtbe
logicoltbepatagtapbsuttoundingit.Tbisconcessionsbouldalsobemotede-
consttucted"-italteadyappeatstwiceattbebeginningoltbesamepatagtapb
in tbe dehnition olexsctiption. i ts otbet-botdet-ptopet, tbe otbet-botdet
ptopet." 8eyondpedagogicalconcessions, tbisisasetiousmattetindeed. ltbas
to dowitbanittesistibledesiteolapptoptiation,wbicbistbemybody itse
tbevetybete) . ltbasto dowitbitslaw,butalsotbissamelawtbatmust-in
otdettomaketbisdesitebatcb-destineitalso to exptoptiation-otbandto
;|o Ns/ss/sPagss1{1
tbisdesiteexptoptiationasaptomise,otbandtbisdesiteovettotbepomiseol
exptoptiation.Tbisptomiseisalways atbteat. exapptoptiation. Anditsbould
stopmeltomsimplyspeakingaslj ustdid,olasamelawTbewotdsameit-
sel sellsame ipseity itsell,mesme, medisme, meme, metisimas, supetlativeol
metise) ,|sasdeconsttuctibleastbewotdptopet. Andtbeltencbwotdroche
,ptoximate) ,andtbeltencbwotdrochain,next,neigbbot,lellowman. ) .
8utttytospeakwitbouttbem
z,. Nancy, Laugbtet, ltesence, ttans. McVatisb, pp. ,?,-,o, ,,z vety
sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .
;. Iangsn/I
i. l. e. , Faadrait-i/pouvoit/e toacher-Ttans.
z. Nancy, SublimeOlleting,ttans.Libtett,p. z,,.
, Nancy, Laugbtet,ltesence, ttans.McVatisb,p. ,?,.
q. Witboutteconstitutingtbeenotmoustbicketlotmedbytbisdebate,l etus
selectas evidencesometematksontbesaidquestionoltbeband, tbehgute
oltbeband,likemyband) , atttibutedbyDidetotinbisLettresar/esaceag/es
a/'asagedeceaxqaicoientto outblindman, wboisaskedwbatbe meansby a
mittot. ninsttument,'answeted be, 'wbicb sets tbings intelielatadistance
ltom tbemselves, wben ptopetlyplacedwitbtegatdto it. ltis like myband,
wbicb,toleelanobject,lmustnotputononesideol|t. ' AndDidetotgoeson.
Tbisblindman'sonlyknowledgeolobjectsisbytoucb . . . . Sigbt,betbetelote
concludes, isakindoltoucbwbicbextendstodistantobjectsandisnotapplied
tooutlace Lettetontbe8lindlottbeUseolTboseWboSee, inDiderot
EarPhi/osohica/vrks,ttans.Matgatet|outdain,CbicagoOpenCoutt,i,i6) ,
p. ;z. Ttans. | .Tbisptoposition, sigbtis ak|ndoltoucb, i s takenupagain
litetallybyainede8itan,wbodeemsitbotbttueandinsucient.Tbeendol
Didetot'sLettresar/es aceag/es tetutnsto tbeanalogyoltbeband. llyouttace
onmybandwitbapoint . . . mybandwouldbecomeasensitive mittot, buttbe
dilletenceisgteatbetweentbiscanvasandtbeoganolsigbt. l suppose tbeeye
isaivingcanvasolinhnitedelicacytbeaitsttikes tbeobject. . . . lltbeskin ol
mybandwasassensitiveasyouteye,lsbouldseewitbmybandasyouseewitb
youteyes,andlsometimesimaginetbeteateanimalswbobavenoeyes, butcan
nevettbelesssee,ibid. , pp. i,,-,6) .
, . See,esp. , CatnivaloltbeSensesin

lisabetbdelontenay, DiderotRea-
son andResonance,ttans.|ellteyMeblman NewYotk. 8tazillet, i,?z| ) , wbete
sbetecallstbispbilosopbyoltoucb, ottatbettbistoucb aspbilosopby,ndl
lound tbat olall tbesenses tbe eyewas tbe mostsupethcial, tbeeattbemost
baugbty,smelltbemostvoluptuous,tastetbemostsupetstitiousandinconstant,
toucbtbemostptoloundandpbilosopbical pp. i,;-,?| ) , andpteciselywatns
otestoage1

r
againstbastilyatttibutingtbis tecognitionoltbetbeoteticalimpottanceoltbe
sense oltoucb totbematetialistcause ,p. i6;) . Tbe gteatvictot intbis cat-
nival oltbe senses establisbed on tbe tuins oltbe castle oltbe eye and con-
sciousness is toucb-Didetot tetmed it tbe otgan oltbe tigbt _/'organe du
err' } , p. i66) . lbavetestotedandttanslatedtbepbtase"l`otgane du 'sett,'
comme l'appelle Didetot, wbicb does not appeat in tbe publisbed ttansla
tion.-Ttans. |Tbissamecbaptetcitesmotetbanonetextteletting,otteducing,
aswesballlatetsay) tbesenseoltoucbtotbeband, ltisnotbecausemanlilts
biseyes to beaven, likeall bitds, tbatbeiskingoltbeanimals, ' we teadintbe
HistoiredesdeuxIndes. ltisbecausebeisatmedwitbasupple, industtious,Hex-
ible, andbelplulband p i6;| ) , intbettaditionolAnaxagotas, wbo alteady
links tbe buman totbemanual Man tbinks becausebebas bands ,p. i6z) . l
wouldalsoliketotelettotbeinvaluablebookbyMattin|ay,DoancastE,es Ihe
Denigrationolisionin Iaentieth-Centur,FrenchIhought, 8etkeley.Univetsity
olCalilotnialtess,i,,,) . ,lleelpatticulatlyclosetowbattbelattetwtoteontbe
scoteolpballogoculatcenttism, altbougb, intbistatbetunstablelogic, wbicb
isptonetotevetsals,adeconsttuctivetbinkingolspacingj ustastegulatlybasto
callontbevisibleagainstacettainintetptetationoltbeaudible. )SeealsoModer-
nit,andtheHegemon,o lision,ed.DavidMicbaelLevin ,8etkeleyUnivetsity
olCalilotnialtess,i,,,), andIn lisi//eIouch, ed.TettySmitb ,Sydney. lowet
lublications,i,,;) .
6. Ren Descattes,DiscourseonMethod, Otics, Ceometr andMeteoro/ogy,
ttans.laul|. Olscamp,lndianapolis.8obbsMettill,i,6,) ,p. 6;.lsbouldquote
tbelitstDiscoutseinitsentitetyandcloselyanalyzeitswboletbetotic, patticu-
latlytbetwoottbteecompatisonstbatDescattesptoposesinotdettoaccount
lottbetaysolligbtwbicbentetintotbeeyeibid. , p. 66 ) . lnyeandMind
,ttans. CatletonDallety, inIhePrimac,oPercetionHndOtherEssa,s onPhe-
nomeno/ogica/Ps,cho/o, thePhi/osoh,oHrt, Histo,andPo/itics, ed.|amesM.
dievanston,lll . NottbwestetnUnivetsityltess,i,6|| ) , Metleau-lontygives
a gtippingsummatyoltbis. Tbe question beingso lotmulated, itis best to
tbinkolligbtasan actionbycontactnotunliketbeactionoltbingsupontbe
blindman'scane.Tbeblind,saysDescattes,seewitbtbeitbands. ' TbeCattesian
conceptolvisionismodeledaltettbesenseoltoucb,p. i;o) .Tbeteisacbance,
as tbesayinggoes,tbattbingsatemotecomplicatedtbantbat, ilnotaltogetbet
diHetent.lntbispassage,Descattesisonlyptolletingacompatison-tbehtst,
among otbets. An exptessly pedagogical compatison s not necessatily wbat
Metleau-lontybetetetmsamodel,andDescattes cettainlydoesnotsaytbat
tbe blind seewitb tbeitbands . Moteptecisely, bewttes tbatone migbtal
mostsaytbattbeyseewitbtbeitbands, ottbattbeitstickistbeotganolsome
sixtb sense given to tbeminplaceolsigbt ,DiscourseonMethod Otics+ r . ,
ttans. Olscamp,p. 6;) .
;|z Ns/ss/sPagss:;s-:;,
Metleaulonty'sptoposedintetptetationoltbe Diotricspettainsto tbettadi-
tion olDidetot's Lettet ontbe 8lind lot tbeUseolTboseWbo See. nd
whatate eyes,doyousuppose` askedMonsieutde- n otgan,' tepliedthe
blindman,'onwbicbtbeaitbastbeeHecttbisstickbasonmyband. Tbatan-
swetamazedus. . . . Madam,onlytutntoDescattesDiotrics,andtbeteyouwill
seetbepbenomenaolsigbtillusttatedbytboseoltoucb,andtbeplateslullol
menbusiedinseeingwitbsticks. . . . tbatgteatpbilosopbetwas,intbistespect,
nomotesupetiottotbeblindmantbanacommonmanwbobastbeuseolbis
eyes ,Didetot, Lettet,p. ;,) .
As lot tbis stickoltbe blind, Mattin |ay ptecisely tecalls ,Doancast E,es,
pp. ;|-;,, ,|H.,,?H.,andpassim)tbelongsequenceolDescattessptedecessots
,beginningwitbSimplicius'scommentatyonAtistotlesPerisachss) .Heluttbet
tecalls,pp. ,|-,,) ,witbRobettMandtou,seetbelattet'sIntrodactiontoModern
France, :
)
oo:6o.HnEssa,inHistorica/Ps,cho/o, ttans. R.L Hallmatk Lon-
don.LdwatdAtnold,i,;,| ) , tbattoucbtemainedtbedominantsense,tbemas-
tetsenseuntiltbeeighteentbcentuty.
;. On tbis point, see Metleau-lonty, wbo tecalls licbte and Scbelling and
points,accutately,ltbink)towatdwbattiestbetbinkingaboutellotttotbeidea
tbatthewillistheconditionoltbesell ,IncarnateSa/ect, ttans.Milan,p. ;o) .
?. lietteMainede8itan, lnttoduction, inIheIn aenceoHa/itontheFac
a/t, o Ihinking, ttans Matgatet Donaldson 8oebm ,8altimote. Williams C
Wilkins, i,z,) , pp |;?,. Ldition cited by|acquesDettida.Mainede8itan,
In aencede/'ha/itadesarhca/tdeenser, ed.lietteTissetand,latis.ltesses
univetsitaitesdeltance,i,,|) .Ttans. |
, Mainede8itan,InaenceoHa/it, p. ,z. luttbetcitedpatentbeticallyi n
tbetext.-Ttans.|lbeteleaveasideanysystematicstudyolwotkstbatthusbegin
witbtbesenseoltoucb,atleastinananalogouslasbion,likeAtistotle) ,andgive
aj ustih cationlot doing that.Tbatwas Kantsgestute, aswesaw. ltwill also be
Hegel's, lotexampleintbeEnc/oediaothePhi/osohica/Sciences, thoughonly
withtegatdtothepbilosopbyolnatute, ,,?) .Tbingschange,olcoutse,and
sodoes,lottheleelingsoul, ,,,) , tbeotdetoltbesenses,intbepbilosophy
olspititltisalsotbequestionolhabit-Mainede8itan'squestion-thatHegel
posesj ustaettbat,aswellastbequestionolplasticity. SeeCathetineMalabou,
LacenirdeHege/P/asticit, temora/it, dia/ectiqae,latis.Vtin,i,,6) .
L . Tbispassageltomanotedoesnotappeatintbettanslationusedbete lt
isptintedinatecenteditionolMainede8itan'swotk,Mmoiressar/'inaence
de/'ha/itade, ed GilbettRomeyetDbetbey ,latis. Vtin, i,?;) , as pattoltbe
NotestdigespatMainede8itanenmatgedesonexemplaitedummoiteim-
ptim,ousutleuillesinstesdansl' ouvtage Seep z,zn,. -Ttans
II. 8onnet
ssentenceappeatsontbetitlepageoltbeessayintheeditionused,
lollowingtbeRepottolM. Destutt-Ttacy Tbeolhcialquestionptoposedby
Ns/ss/sPagss1{1; )|)
tbeClassolMotalandloliticalSciencesoltbelnstitutational , alsoappeat-
ingontbetitlepage, is. To detetminewbatistbeinuenceolbabitupontbe
lacultyoltbinking,ot,inotbetwotds,tosbowtbeellectwbicbtbeltequenttep-
etitionoltbesamepetlotmancesptoducesoneacboloutintellectual laculties
,Mainede8itan,InaenceoHa/it,p. |i) .-Ttans.
iz. Vatiantsoltbetitleexist.Inaencede/ha/itadesar/aca/tdeenserwas
tbecovettitle,usedastbetitleptopetintbettanslationbyMatgatetDonaldson
8oebm.ltisteptoducedinlacsimileontbecovetoltbei,?;Romeyet-Dbetbey
edition.-Ttans.
i,. Metleaulonty,IncarnateSa/ect, ttans.Milan,p. 6|.
i|. Metleaulonty, Phenomeno/ogyoPercetion, ttans.Smitb. Citedpaten-
tbeticallyintbetext.-Ttans. |
i,. Tbeempbasisismi ne. Amongal l tbequestionstbattbesepassagestaise,
tbosetiedtotbewotdsassumption_rerise} andalmostatedoubtlessamong
tbemoteltusttated.
i6. Metleaulonty, Signs, ttans. McCleaty, pp. i??,. Tbe undetscoting is
mine, except lot tbe wotds because and seeing, empbasized byMetleau-
lontywbogivesnoteletencelotpattialcoincidence. 8utevenwbenbetecog-
nizes non-coincidenceotpattial coincidenceotlusion, asbeincteasingly
doesinallbislastwtitings,evenwbenbestatestbatintuition isnotsimco-
incidenceorsion, benoticeablymaintains tbeptincipleolanintuition,and
evenanintuitionolcoincidence.Lvenwitbanon-coincidence, lstillcoin-
cide. TbatiswbatMetleau-lontynicknamesabsoluteknowledge, aswebave
j usttead.
i;. lietteTissetandtbeeditotoltbeeditioncitedby|acquesDettida-Ttans.|
saysabouttoucbtbatlotMainede8itanitistbepbilosopbicalsensesinceit
givesustbepetceptionoltesistance,andtbescientih csensesinceitistbesense
olmeasuteandeducatestbe eye. Sigbttbus becomes asottoltemotetoucb-
ing. . . ,lnttoductiondel' diteut,inInaencede /ha/itadesar/aca/tde
enserlatis.ltessesunivetsitaites de ltance,i,,|| , pp. xxvi-xxxvii . )luttbet,
intbesamettadition,|ulesLagneausays.Toucbistbepbilosopbicalsense,tbat
is, tbesenseolteality ,Lagneau, C/c/res/eonsetaents latis. ltessesuni-
vetsitaitesdeltance, i,,o| , p. i,i pzo?intbesecondedition,i,6|| citedby
CbttieninLecotpsetetoucbet 8odyandToucb| , nL'ae/et/a ronse,
p. i,) . ConcetningLagneau'sband,l sball addtbis detail. Lagneausituatestbe
ideaoltbeobject,sucbasitisconceiced /reandastbeonditionoltbetactile
petceptionoltesistance.Tbeotiginolobjectivetesistanceislundamentallyun-
toucbable,beyondotbelotetoucb. ltistbeideaolanobjecttbatptoducesin
us tbe petception oltesistance. Lventbe sensations oldouble toucbtesulting
ltomtbemovementoltbebandseekingtoteunitetbepattsbywayoltbeobject
wouldnotsulhcetotevealto ustbeexistenceoltbeobjecttbatistesisting.ltis
;|| Ns/ss/sPagss:;-:,
necessatytbat ae conceicesomeotherthing/e,ondahatae aretoaching ,p. i,i
intbei,,oedition) . Lagneaulatetwtites. Toucb,tbesenseolteality, educates
tbe otbet senses, especially tbe eye, sigbt being ttulytbe sense olextetiotity
,p. i ,,intbei,,oedition) .
i?. Tbe ttanslatotoltbe text, Matgatet Donaldson 8oebm, notes. liette|
Tissetand editot oltbe i,,| edition olIn aencede /ha/itadesar/aca/tde
enser wtitesmetbatlot8itana te/sonoreisabeadinwbicboccutstbeinnet
speecbwbicbaccompaniestbeidea.lnspekingtbetbougbtU outselves,tbespeecb
tesounds inoutbeadltiswbatisnowknowninpsycbologyasanauditotyim-
age. Mainede8itanalsocallstbemcoca/beads, beextends tbisanalysistoani-
malsandamongotbettbingscites8uHon'sDiscoarssarmnataredesoiseaax.Tbis
is not tbe only antbtopozoological incutsion. Wbat Maine de 8itan ptollets
abouttbetelationbetween beatingandtbevocalotgan hnds itsellconhtmedin
tbeobsetvationolcettainanimals,cettainly, butalso,aconario, intbeexample
oltbewildboyolAveyton.Tbelattet,accotdingtoMainede8itan,wasdealnot
becausebiseatcouldnotbeatbutbecausebedidnotbavetbeabilitytospeakand
lackedtbeotgantbatmakesbeatingactice.Asavagedoesnotbeatbimsellspeak,
bedoesnottoucbbimsellwitbbisvoice.
i,. OnKant'sband,seeCbaptet,.OnHussetl'sband,seeCbaptet?. OnHei-
degget's band, see Cesch/echt ll. Heidegget's Hand, ttans. Leavey, in Decon
stractionandPhi/osoh,, pp. i6i-,6. Ontbebandandtbeeye,see Dettida| O
Crammato/ogy, ttans.GayattiCbatavottySpivak,i,;6,teved. ,8altimote|obns
HopkinsUnivetsityltess,i,,;) ,pp.?,, andMmoirsotheB/indttans.8tault
andNaas.
zo. Lasoache,litetally, istbestump,butbetestockotline.-Ttans.
zi. Tbe wotdingoltbis note does not appeat in tbe ttanslation used. Tbe
noteappeatsintbei,?;Romeyet-DbetbeyeditionamongtbeNotestdiges
patMaine de8itanenmatgedesonexemplaitedummoite imptim, ousut
leuillesinstesdans|`ouvtage. Seepp. z,,-,|n. -Ttans.
zz. Not all buman bands ate tbe same. Dilletence witb Heidegget's band
bete.lottbelattet,tbeptivilegeoltbebandcattiesbeyondanactolknowledge
andamototaction,gtasping,/egren,conceiving,taking,gtipping) .Tbispte-
bensileotmanipulatinggestuteisstilltbegestuteoltbemonkeyottbebuman
asasimpleanimalotasanima/ationa/e. SeeCesch/echtll. Heidegget'sHand,
ttans.Leavey, inDeconstractionandPhi/osoh,.
z,. Kant,Hnthroo/ogomaPragmaticPointoliea,ttans.Dowden.Tbisis
alsoaboutalonglootnote,wbicblsballtacklesepatatelyinalottbcomingbook.
z|. My ttanslation. Tbis note does not appeat in tbe ttanslation used. lts
placeisonp. 6i,attbeendoltbesecondpatagtapb,anetitisinvittueoltbis
tbatitopensaleedinggtoundlotintellectandlutnisbesitwitbitsmotesub-
stantialnoutisbment. lntbeRomeyetDbetbeyedition,itisonp. i|o.-Ttans.
Ns/ss/sPagss:-:

z,. Mainede8itan,InaenceoHa/it, p. i|i intbeRomeyet-Dbetbeyedi-

tion.-Ttans.
z6. ll maypoint tbis outagainin passing, in OCrammato/ogy,teved. ,
ttans. Spivak, pp. ?,l) , itisatoundtbisqaestion othe hand tbis bistotyol
wtiting. . . asanadventuteoltelationsbipsbetweentbelaceandtbeband, tbis
teptesentationoltbeanthrooso . . aptecatiousbalancelinkedtomanualvisual
sctipt, abalance. . . slowlytbteatened, atoundtbisquestionolbominization
ingenetal,andtbequestionoltbenameomantbatadeconsttuctionisotga
nized, wbicb distances itsellltomtbe ,Lutbeto-Heideggetian-tosayittatbet
toobastily)destractio mentionedeatliet,seeCbaptet,) . Tbeteletenceto etoi-
Goutban'swotk,tbougbdisagteeingattimes,playsanimpottantpattintbis,as
itdoes also in8etnatdStieglet'sotiginalptoblematic,developedsopowetlully
andcompellingly,inLatechniqaeet/etems,latis. Galile,i,,|,6) ,andmote
patticulatlyintbehtstvolume, cbap. ,, pp.i,,l) .
z;. llixRavaisson,De/'ha/itade, ed. Millot ,i?,|, latis. layatd, i,?|) ,
pp. zi-z,.OntbeAtistotelianttaditioninwbicbonecanplacetbeautbotoltbe
Essa, ontheMetah,sics oHristot/e ,i?,;) , see Cbtistiane Mauve, avaisson
lecteutetintetptted'Atistote, inLantiqaitgrecqaeaae sicc |n exem-
/amcontest,latis.Hatmattan,i,,,) . Onavaisson'splaceintbebistotyoltbe
ltencb pbilosopbical institutio and its spititualistic ttend, see Cbtistiane
Mauveand Vetmeten,Ledetnietdesmtapbysicienscontteeboullondela
pbilosopbie.Unesttatgieduspititualismeunivetsitaiteenltance.llixRavais-
son,l ' clectismeetlesdisciplesdeVictotCousin, Coraspbilosopbicalj out-
nal| , ,Oct. Nov. i,?6) , wbetetbeteadetwillhndteletencesto tbeindispens-
ablewotkdedicatedto avaisson byDominique|anicaud ,|negna/oeda
siria/isme anais:Haxsoarcesda/ergsonismecaissonetmmah,siqaeTbe
Hague. Nijboll, i,6,| ) andltanoisatuelle,Phnomcneetd rence:Essaisar
caissonlatisKlincksieck,i,;z| ) .
z?. SeeRavaisson,De/ha/itade,p . 6;.
z,. lbid. , p. z|.
,o. bid. , p. z,.
,i. Nancy, Coas,p. ;6.
,z. avaisson,De/ha/itade, p. |?, myempbasis.
,,. lbid. , pp. z,z6.
,|. bid. , p. i,
,, bid. , p. ,|
,6. lbid. ,p. i|,myempbasis.
,;. Seeaviet8icbat,Recherchesh,sio/ogiqaessar/a cieetsar/a mort,latis,
i?oo) , id., Ph,sio/ogica/Researches onLandDeath, ttans. Gold , 8oston.
icbatdsonC Lotd,i?z;) .
,?. avaisson,De/ha/itade, pp. ,6,;.
Ns/ss/sPagss:e
,,. lbid. ,p. ,| onalawolgtace.
|o. RavaissoncitesAugustine'sIntimiorintimonostro.8utbowwouldbebave
bandledAugustine'sdiscoutseaboutasenseoltoucb tbatbetecognizestobedil-
lusedtbtougbouttbebody, tobesute, but wbosetemptations tegatding catnal
concupiscencebedoes not denounce,as be does tbose olsigbt,beating, taste,
andsmell`AndwewondetespeciallywbatRavaissonwouldbavedonewitbtbe
absoluteptivilegetbatAugustinetecognizeslotconcaiscentiaoca/oram,tigbtly
ttanslated,besays,bygenetalexpetienceoltbesenses,genera/isexerientiasen
saam) Tbegenetalexpetienceoltbe sensestbeteloteitis. . . wbicbiscalled
tbelustoltbeeyes. lottbattbeolh ceolseeingwbeteintbeeyesboldtbepte-
togative,dotbeotbetsensesbywayolsimilitudeusutpuntotbemselves,si/ide
simi/itadineasarant) ,wbensoevettbeymakeseatcbaltetanyknowledge,cam
a/iqaidcognitionisex/orant) ,St HagastineConssions, vol . I, ttans.William
Watts Cambtidge,Mass. . HatvatdUnivetsityltess,i,;, , i ,,, p. i;;) .
|i. Ravaisson,De/ha/itade, p. |,. Tbeteisaswella divine sectetwitb te-
gatdtotbettansmissionol lile ,p. ,,) .Andtbesectetoleducation ,p. ||)
must tegulatevittue, customs,andmotalsin accotdancewitbtbisdivinesectet.
lottbougbbabitisavittue ,p. ,)andvittueishtstanellott,alatigue ,p.||),
itiscalledupontoovetcometbesaidlatigueinpleasute, att,andgtace, saintli-
nessandinnocence. lt vittue| tbtougbptacticealone becomes an atttaction
andapleasute,adesitetbatlotgetsotdoesnotknowitsell,andlittlebylittleit
movesclosettotbesaintlinessolinnocence.Tbeteistbewbolesectetoleduca-
tion. ltsattistoatttactustotbegood, andoutptopensities enchants tieus
tbete.Asecondnatareistbuslotmed,p. ||) .TbeteletencestoAtistotleontbis
pageagainlinktbetbinkingolmovementtotbetbinkingoldesiteotptopen-
sities. Nomovementoltbespititwitboutdesite.
8eyonditsconventionalusage, tbetecuttenceoltbewotdsecretsectet ot
sectecy|alsopointsto aptocessolintetiotization,spit|tualization,andtbete-
lotedissima/tion,wbicbisessential lottbisbistotyollile, tbisbistotyolbabit
wbeteexttemestoucb, andptoceeds wbile concealingits meaning andde-
pbenomenalizingitselilonemaysayso.lnitsspital,itteptesentstbetetutn
ollteedomtoNatute,ottatbettbeinvasionoltbetealmollteedombynatutal
spontaneity.tbe tendencytopetseveteintbeactitsellwbicbconstitutes8e-
ing,ibid. , p. |,) . We sballlatetidentiakindolltencbhliationintbisCbtis-
tianizationolAtistoteliandesite,orexis) ,seeCbaptetIIon|ean-ouisCbttien) .
. Iags/II
i . l. e. , etoucbeth gute-etlatecbniqueestdelapattie.-Ttans.
2. Hussetl,Ideas1 betealtetcitedpatentbeticallyintbetext-Ttans. | .Tbe
analysesdealingwitbtoucbintbiswotkbavemotetbanoncebeentbeobjectol
Ns/ss/sPagsses-e; , | ;
acettainattentioni n ltance. l' llcomebackto tbis lateti n gatitude. Cleatly,
tbesewtitings, like all sucb stepsfotwatd, even now await teadingagain, and
teteading,witbinhnitepatience.
,. Lei/isttanslatedas8odybytbettanslatotsofIdeasII, . D. tetmsitcos
rore, tendetedbeteasbodyptopet.-Ttans.
|. Thisgestuteoflotexample. . . my. . . bandappeatselsewbete,notably
inoneofHussetlsmanusctiptsftomi,,z,dedicatedtoknestbeticpetspectives,
NebmenwitdieHandals8eispiel Letustaketbebandasanexample| ,Hussetl
notes. UlticbClaesgescitestbsinEdmandHasser Iheoriederamkonstitation
,TbeHague.NijboH,i,6|),p. ii,, wbicbanalyzesalatgenumbetofunpublisbed
texts,ftequentlyoflatetdatetbantbosecollectedandttansctibedinIdeas Ls-
peciallyintbecbaptetTaktuelletRaumundLeibbewusstsein TactileSpaceand
8odyConsciousness| ,Claesgesdealstbetewitbtbequestionstbatatetackledbete
specihcallyftom tbepetspectiveoftbe bistotical betitage ftomwbicb Nancys
tbinkingtakes oalbeitlimitedto aspects oftbetteatmentoftbetelation be-
tweensigbtandtoucbinIdeasII wbetetbeatgumentseemsmotesystematically,
tbotougbly,andpainstakinglydevelopedtbananywbeteelse.To myknowledgeat
least, Hussetl nevet tetutnedto and teconsideted tbethesis,fotitis a tbesis as
mucbasadesctiptionsucbatleastismybypotbesis) tbataccotdssucbaptiv-
ilege orzag totoucbinIdeasI
, . Since Ihis Sex vhich Is Not One ,ttans. Catbetine lottet witb Catolyn
8utke ltbaca,N. . CotnellUnivetsityltess,i,?,| ) , asweknow,Luceltigatay
basbeenfollowingandintetptetingwbatisatstakeinwomansautoetoticism
andtbeviolencetowbicbitissubjectedwbenTbeoneoftbefotm,oftbein
dividual,oftbe ,male) sexualotgan,oftbeptopetname, oftbeptopetmean-
ing. . . supplants,wbilesepatatinganddividing,tbatcontactofat/easttao,lips)
wbicbkeepswomanincontactwitbbetself, butwitboutanypossibilityofdis
tinguisbingwbatistoucbingftomwbatistoucbed ,p. z6) .Tbtougboutsevetal
ofbetbooks,wecanfollowtbeuntlingoftbislogic,dealingwitbwbattbefem
ininewouldbeintbeintetptetationofate-toucbing,wbicbistosay anauto
affectionnotteducibletoitsmasculineintetptetation.lotexample.
5o, whcn shc touchcs hcrscll (again) , who is shc: ^d hcrscll: Inscparablc, shc
and hcrscll arc part thc onc ol thc othcr, cndlcssly. Jhcy cannot rcally bc distin-
guishcd, though thcy arc not lor all that thc lcmalc samc, nor thc malc samc . . . . ^nd
cvcn il to touch oncscll lor thc masculinc gcndcr, is dchncd as that which bcgins to
sct up thc distinction subjcct-prcdicatc, subjcct-objcct, in thc most archaic lashion,
i.c., in thc rclation ol attribution: X is (to, in, . . . ) which still allows passivity to
havc a placc in auto-ahcction, or clsc a suspcnsion bctwccn activity and passivity in thc
attribution ol bcingit will ncvcr bc known who/what is X, who/what is in thc lc-
malc (Lucc Irgaray, me-!.-]I-./N-../-,trans. |illian . |ill lcw
York. olumbia Inivcrsity Ircss, i,,i] ,pp. ,o-,i)
Ns/ss/sPagss
Tbistetoucbing,wbicbalwaysbastodowitbmotetbanoneotmotetbantwo
lips,putpottedlytbwattsanyoppositionallogic, andpasses beyondanytetminal
ottetminologicallimit,audtbeteloteauydisctiminatiou 8utwbenlipskiss
openness is nottbeopposite olclosute. Closed lips temain open. And tbeit
toucbingallowsmovementltominsidetooutside, ltomoutsideto in,witbno
lasteningnotopeniugmoutbtostoptbeexcbauge,Luceltigatay,E/ementa/Pas
sions, ttans.|oanneCollieand|uditbStill NewYotk. Routledge,I,,z} , p. ) .
Tbete-toucbingollipsitsellcantbusbetematkedinasttuctutalanalogybe-
tweentbetopandtbebottom-ananalogytbatteacbesbomonymyincettain
lauguages ,ltencb, inanycase) . Two lips` Retoucbing,unclosedenclosuteol
tbebody.Tbeenvelopeoltbeskinisneitbetsututednotopenontoa'canal'tbat
takesinottejects,butpattiallyopenontotbetoucboltwomucouses,otollout,
atleast.tbelipsabove andtbelipsbelow ,Luceltigatay, ISeakIsNecerNea-
tra/ ttans.GailScbwab NewYotk. Routledge,zooz| ,p. z|z) .
. Altbougbinptincipletbeyateindissociable,lotobviousteasons,betelbave
toleaveaside tbeseptoblems,aswellas tboseolpassivegenesis,tbepatallelbe-
tweenttanscendentalpbenomenologyandputepsycbology, lileottbeliviug-
ness _cicance oltbelivingptesent) tbatl motetbanoncebtoacbedelsewbete.
;. Sligbtlymodih ed.-Ttans.
?. Hussetltecals tbis dilh cultyattbebeginningolbisinttoductiontotbe
ConstitutiouoltbeSpititualWotld , p. i?i) .
,. lntbesectionontbespititualwotld,undettbebeadingmotivation,tbeex-
ampleoltbebandteappeats, associatedwitbtbeloottbistime.ltdesetvesasepa-
tateanalysis,butpteciselyinitsspititualspbete,wbetetbemovementoltbeband
ottbelootseemsmotebumantbanevet,ilonemaysayso,wbicbistosaylteet
tbanevet.Anditistbenaquestionolmototactivitymotetbantactilesensation.
OnebastolollowtbeatgumentstbatleadHussetl,intbecoutseolananalysisol
tbelcan audtbeldo, togoltomtbeteal ree//} psycbopbysicalptocessto
tbeintentiontelation. lmovemybandotloot,lateton,tbewotddancecomes
up) ,l pusb,l pull, loHettesistancetoatbing,lsttikeaballotastone-alltbese
movementswetetmmechanica/ateapbysical-tealptocess,andtbeObject,'tbis
man,''tbisanimal,pattakesoltbiseventinvittueolbis'soul'' ,p. zz,) . ussetl
oenteletstotbeeedomoltbelcan-totbeconsciousnessoltbeltee'lcan'
,p. z;o)intelationtokinestbeticptocesses.lnanumbetolmanusctiptscollected
andttanslatedintoltencbundettbetitleDems,nthcseassice,Gtenoble.|. Mil-
lon,i,,?) _p. io|andpassim| ,bedoestbisespeciallylotsigbt.Here, bowevet,
Hussetl adds, tben, we ate not concetnedwitb tbis teal ree//] psycbopbysical
ptocess,butwitbtbeintentionaltelation. l, tbesubject, movemyband,and. . .
tbesameboldslottbe' lbittbestone.'Tbe8odilymembet,tbeband,aearing
toconsciousness iu tbisot tbatway. . . is anObjectlottbesubjectandis,asit
wete,athemeolbislteedom,olbislteeaction,IdeasI p. zz,) .
Ns/ss/sPagss,.-, ; |,
io. ongwitbisusedintbeLnglisbtext.-Ttans.
ii. ussetloltencomesbacktoexamplesolillusionsotba|lucinationstbat,
attbemomentwbentbetealotmatetialtbingvanisbesltombeingotcomes
cleanasasottolgbost,nevettbelessleaveintact,andevenpetmitlteeinginone-
sell, likeaspontaneousteduction, tbeptopetlypbenomenological contentsol
consciousness,witboutlaitbtbistime,witboutbeliel,asbeputsitinLnglisb,
intbepassageabouta ladywbomwe do notknowanda waxwotkhgute
,Hussetl,Logica/Incestigations, ttans.|. N. lindlay London. Routledge, ,?z| ,
z. 6o,) .Wemaycompate tbis examplewitbtbeone ussetlolletsasamemoty
ltombisyoutb,dutingbisyeatsasastudentin8etlin) ,wbenbetookasimple
hgute,adeceptive,mecbanical doll ,tbeteagain,alilelesslsycbe)lotasttange
youngwomanboldingacatalogueinbetbandsandlookingwtbintetestattbe
sametbingbeisexamining. ,Tbisstotyappeatsinamanusctiptttanslatedintbe
compilationDe/as,nthcseassice, ttans.8tuce8goutand|eanKessletGteno-
ble. |. Millon,i ,,?| , p. ,,) . Regatdingwbatpbenomenologybas to sayabout
ballucinations,illusions,andpetceptualdeception,sometbing. . . petbapseven
agteatdeal,Hussetlspecihes) , seebisIdeas i. e. ,IdeasPertainingtoaParePhe-
nomeno/ogandtoaPhenomeno/ogica/Phi/osoh,,l , Cene/IntrodactiontoaPare
Phenomeno/og, ttans. Ketsten,Tbeague.Nibol i,?z) , ??, p. zi ,.
iz. Oncemote, tbis ,animalbeing)inpatentbeseswill bavecometoout
notice.Tbistimeitisnotevenanallusiontotbenonbumananimal'sanimalness
buttomanbimsellasanimal.' Man' ,animalbeing)ttanslates Menscb' ,ani-
maliscbesWesen) .
I ) . Tbetelote,wbenHussetlmeanst osayesb, besaysF/eischesb,chair} .
llesbisnotalloltbeliving bodyptopettbatmanybavelalleninto tbebabitol
ttanslatingaschair,esb) in ltencb. Nodoubt, tbiscame aboutaltetMetleau-
lontyextendeditinamoteotlessunlimitedwaywbenbespokeoltbechairda
mondeesboltbewotld| ,eveniltbisuseoltbetetmnowspillsbeyondtbelat-
tet'sdiscoutse,inoccasionalattemptstosetoneselllteeltomit.
Didietltanck,wboalsottanslatesLei/as chair,maybetigbtwbenbenotes
tbatitis absutd to ttanslateLei/as 'bodyptopet' corsrore , as is olten
done,lotagteatvatietyoldivetgentteasons.lntbespbeteoltbeptopet, allbod-
iesateptopet,tbedilletencedoesnotliebetweentwotypesolbodybutbetween
bodiesingenetalandLei/,Chairetcos,p.,|niz) .Nodoubt-butbow,tben,
isoneto ttanslateF/eisch ,lotexample, intbetextj ustquoted) `TbisF/eischis
ustadehnitepattoltbeLei/,tbelivingbody,mybody,andmoteovet,wecan
designate itintbebodyolanotbet living being, buman ot not. Aboveall , bow
atewetoavoidtbebeayconnotationsin ltencboltbewotdchair, itstbetoti-
caluse,its idiomaticbistotyand dominantcode`Outsideaputelyobjectivistic
ltameolteletence,lotexample,intbelanguageolsutgeons,butcbets,otpaint-
ets) ,itsmotalizingandptimatilyCbtistianconnotationsconcupiscence,sinsol

,
c Ns/ss/sPagss:::;
tbeesb,incatnation,etc.)atetatbetdilh culttoetase.Tbisisespeciallysointbe
ateastackledbytboseinltancewbobave adoptedtbisttanslation, tbengiven
tbiswotd cteditwell beyondtbevalueolasimplettanslation. Canwe-sball
we,someday-cometo apointwben,bymeansolmucbpetlotmative tewtit-
ingandtetminologicaldecision-making,wecanellace tbese connotations,as-
sumingtbattbisiswbatwewant` lstbisnotaquestionto add to tbe agenda
Nancycalls lot undet tbe beading deconsttuction olCbtistianity, a taskno
doutasnecessatyasitisimpossible`Wesbalbavetocomebacktotbesettans-
lationptoblems,wbicbatenotmetelyttanslationptoblems.
i| Tbisi ssoespeciallywbenHussetlopposestbenoncoincidenceolmysee-
ingbodywitbmyseenbody,asopposedtotbesell-coincidenceolmytoucbing-
toucbedbody,and,onetecalls,wbenbesays, Wbatlcalltbeseen8odyisnot
sometbingseeingwbicbisseen,tbewaymy8odyastoucbed8odyissometbing
toucbingwbicbistoucbed ,IdeasII p. i,,) , otwbenbespeaksoltbecoinci-
denceoltbevisua|8odywitbtbetactilebodyptopet,gtoundedupontbesell-
coincidence and tbe coincidence olotbet tbings ,ot pbantoms) wbicb ate
constitutedbotb visuallyandtactually ,p. i,,) .
ltisdilhculttosee ,i) bowsucbacoincidencemigbt bepossible,lottbetea-
sons ustnoted, and ,z) especially, even ilitwetepossible, witbin one oltbe
senses,bowtbiscoincidencesolulloltsellandlullyidenticalwitbitsellcould
maketoomlotasecondatycoincidencebetweendilletentsenses, lotexample
,tbisisHussetlsexample) ,betweentbevisualandtbetactile.Ontbeconttaty,it
seemstbatitisacettainnoncoincidencewitbitselltbatallowstbeatticulation,
conunctute,otoining ,bowevetinadequateandintettuptible) betweensevetal
betetogeneoussensibleexpetiences,betweenmotetbanonesense,andeacbtime
motetbanasense tbatisinadequateandnonidenticalwitb itsellandcallslota
vicatiantsupplement.We couldpetbapsdisplace,tutnatound,andpatodyMaine
de8itan's Howcouldtbebandssayto tbeeyesDoasaedo, iltbeeyeswete
immovable` quotedeatliet inCbaptet;, Mainede 8itan,InaenceoHa/it,
p. 6zn,| bowcouldtbevisualsecondatilycometocoincide,attempttocoin-
cide, witb tbetactileiltbetactilewetenotalteadydilletentltomitsell, mo-
tioningtowatd suttogacyandwantingadequation-anevetinadequatewant,
tbetelote,callinglottbetecbnical`
i,. Tbe senses oltbe ltencb sens include tbe sense olway ot ditection.
-Ttans.
y. Ingsn/III
i. See mmanuel Levinas, lntentionnalit etsensation, in En dcoacrant
/'existenceacecHasser/etHeideer,latis.Vtin,i,6;) ,pp.i,6l
z. Nancy, Coas,pp. 6|-6;.
Ns/ss/sPagss:-:,

,
t
,. SeeCbaptet;.
|. Metleau-lonty, lisi//eandtheIncisi//e, ttans.Lingis,p. i|;. Subsequently
citedpatentbeticallyintbetext.-Ttans. |
,. Tbeconsequences oltbis motilin CbtistianontotbeologylinkingGod,
deatb,andtbeHesbcanbelollowedinNancy's DeconsttuctionolCbtistian-
ity, pp. I 2O, i,o) . lnit, Nancytecallsinpatticulattbe Cbtistian toots and
ptovenanceolnibilismandtbedeatbolGod ,tbelotmulaisLutbet's) .
6. Metleau-lonty,Signs, ttans.McCleaty. Subsequentlycitedpatentbetically
intbetext.-Ttans. |
;. lnatematkableatticle, Monde,cbait,vision, inChairet/angage Essais
sarMer/eaa-Pont,,LaVetsanne. Lnctematine, 2OOI) , to wbicbwe sballtutn
againlateton,ltanoiseDastutputsitcleatly.tbewotdandtbemotilolate-
Hection oltbe bodyptopetcanbeloundinHussetl,at least inbis Cartesian
Meditations , Dastut, Monde, cbait, vision, p. ,,n|) . See ltanoise Dastut,
Wotld, llesb,Vision, ttans.TbeodoteA. Toadvine|t. , in Chiasms:Mer/eaa
Pont,NotionoF/esh, ed. ltedLvansandLeonatdLawlot,Albany. StateUni-
vetsityolNewYotk ltess, 2OOO) . uotationsateltomtbepublisbedttansla-
tionolDastut'stextinChiasms,exceptlottbisnoteonHussetl,wbicbdoesnot
appeatintbettanslation,andolwbicbtbettanslationismyown. lnlatetpas-
sages,l bave modihed tbettanslationvetysligbtly, and,lotconsistency, incot
potated|oanStambaugb's tetminologyltomHeidegget'sBeingandIime.|. D.
quotesDastut's essayas i t appeatsi n|acques Coletteet al . , MaariceMer/eaa
Pont,Les,chiqaeet/e corore/, ed.Anna-TetesaTymieniecka , latis.Aubiet,
i,??) .-Ttans. | TbesamepagetigbtlullyalsogivesatemindettoMetleau-lonty
-otagainstbim,astbeMetleau-lontywbomigbtbetemptedtoteducetbis
oltbe ''sttiking' dilletencetbatHussetlinsctibesbetweentbevisible spbete
andtbetangiblespbete,becauseaneyedoesnotappeattoone'sownvision,not
cantbevisualsensationolcolotappeatas tbelocalizedsensationoltbelived
body. lltbeteisindeedtbeteloteatleastanexpetienceoldoa//econtact,some-
tbingtoucbingwbicbistoucbed,tbeteisnotinconttastasimilat' teHexivityol
vision, notsometbingseeingwbicbisseen.Tbisiswbyonecannotassimilate
seeingandtoucbingbyspeaking'metapbotically' olagazetbatwould'palpate'
tbings ,ibid. , p. ,,) sligbtlymodih ed, Hussetl's tetmsbeteatetakenditectly
ltomtbettanslationintoLnglisbolIdeasII seepp.i ,,ll.-Ttans. | .Dastuttben
evokestbeexpetienceoltbemittot ,ibid. )asitisdesctibedin Hussetl'snote
mentionedeatliet,seeCbaptet?) .SeealsoCbttien,L'ae/et/a onse,p. izi,
ontbisissue.
We atetbusalwaysledbacktotbettopologicalquestion,totbemetapbotot
metonymyoltbesenses. inevetydaylanguage, intbewtitingsolpbilosopbets,
ot-andtbisistbewbolequestion-intbebodyoltbetbingstbemselves, intbe
vetytbingitselltemedtbebody,otbodies,ptopetotnot) ,andintbeexpetience
; ;z Ns/ss/sPagss1y-1y;
oltbese bodytbings tbat migbt make sucb a ttopologics possible ot even in-
evitable,witbout,bowevet,j usti[ingit.8utwbat,tben,doesjusti[ingmean`
?. Attbevetysamemomentwbenbedeniesanyantbtopologicalptesupposi-
tion,aswillbesbownindetaillatet,Metleau-lontyevetywbeteaccotdsanex-
emplatyimpottancetotbeexpetiencetbatconsistsinsbakingsomeone'sband.
Now, doesitsetveanyputposetotecalltbecultutallimitsoltbistitualgestute,
wbicbeveninLutopeottbeWest,moteovet,is notevenlyandbomogeneously
applied-anymotetbantbekissasalotmolgteeting,inlact.lsballmentiona
single example tbatlwasluckytoexpetiencedutinga tecent ttip toNewea-
land.tbegteetingsignalingbospitalityknownashongi, bytbeMaoti,consistsin
toachingnoses,witbadoubleotttipleptessute,wbilesometimesalsosbaking
bands-botbbands-andsometimesweepingandcollectingtbesbatedteats.lt
issaidtbathongibtingstomindtbemomentwbenTanecteatedtbehtstwoman
bybteatbingtbe spitit ollile into bet nosttils. 8uttbisexplanation is tateot
mostlylotgotten.See Hongi,ltessingNoses) ,inAnneSalmond,HaiHStad,
oMaori Ceremonia/Catherings ,Auckland. Red Metbuen, i,;,) . l tbank Lau-
tence Simmonslotgivingmetbistexttotead, aswellas Ioach, tbetematkable
,poetic, hctional, autobiogtapbical) book by Gabtiel |osipovici ,New Haven,
Conn. . YaleUnivetsityltess,i,,6) . Amongotbettbings,inavaluabletwo-page
appendix, tbe lattet btings to out attention tbe idiomaticvalues inLnglisbol
toucb, toucbing,stayintoucb,andtoucb Hedoesnotmentionkeep
intoucb,wbicbseemsmoteAmeticantome.
,. Nancy,Senseothevorp. ?z.
io. SeeeatliettematksinCbaptets6and;andpassim.
ii. Nancy,Senseothevor/d pp. ?z-?,,sligbtlymodihed-Ttans.
iz. ltisalteadypossibletolollowtbisdevelopmentinMetleau-lonty's Tbe
lbilosopbetandHisSbadow inSigns,ttans.McCleaty| ,beyondoutindications
bete) .TbustbeptoblemolEinh/ang, liketbatolmyincatnation,opensontbe
meditationolsensiblebeing. . . itisltomtbe'lundamentalandotiginalptesence'
olsensible being tbat tbe obviousness and univetsalitywbicb ate conveyed by
tbese telationsbips olessences come ,Metleau-lonty, Signs, p. i;i) . Metleau-
lontyalways teliesonwbatHussetlactuallysaysaboutanotiginatysensiblein-
tuitiontbatistbeloundationolidealidentities. ,tbetbingsoneoltbemseesand
tbosetbeotbetseesatetbesame ibid. | ) anddtawstbeconclusiontbattbeteis
anotiginatysensible intuition oothersasthereisoonesesometbing Hussetl
wouldnevetdo.Meleau-lontynodoubtptetendstbatbeismakinganobjection
tobimsell,anobjectiontbatmigbttesembleouts,Tbeotbetpetson'slileitsellis
notgiventomewitbbisbebaviot.lnotdettobaveaccesstoit,lwouldbaveto
betbeotbetpetsonbimsell ibid. | ) . Wbatcounts bete,bowevet, istbatbete-
jectsitwitboutdelay.8uttbingsseemtbiswaytousbecauseweatemakinguse
olamutilatedideaolNatuteandtbesensiblewotld,ibid. , p. i;z) .

Ns/ss/sPagss:-.:

i,. lbid. , p.i?|, quoted inCbaptet;.-Ttans.

i|. LdmundHussetl, CartesianMeditationsHnIntrodactiontoPhenomeno/-
ogy, ttans. DotionCaitns,TbeHagueNijboff, i,6o) , p. i,,.
i,. Nancy, BeingSinga/arP/ara/,pp. zoo-zon,,sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. .
i6. lbid. , p. 6i sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. .
i;. Dastut,Wotld,llesb,Vision,in Chiasms,p.|i .|eanLouisCbttienalso
paysattentiontotbisdisplacement'smucbasbepossiblycan,Metleau-lonty
continuallydtawstogetbetseeingand toucbing. . . . sincevis|onisapalpation
witbtbelookregard} , itmustalsobeinsctibedintbeotdetofbeingtbatitdis-
closestous. . . . _ lisi//eandtheIncisi//e, p. i,|| -lendingoneandtbeotbeta
compatablequasi-teexivity,wbicbHussetlbestowedsolelyontbesenseoftouc
,Cbttien,ae/etmronse, pp. zo-zi) .
i?. Dastut, Wotld,llesb,Vision, p.|o.
i,. SeeMattinHeidegget, BeingandIime,ttans.|oanStambaugb ,Albany.
StateUnivetsityofNewYotkltess,i,,6) , p. i,?.
zo. Heidegget'sown tetmis orrang, ttanslatedas ptiotity byStambaugb
andoftenasrici/cgebyltencbttanslatots.-Ttans
zi . Heidegget, BeingandIime, p. |i,nzz ,Sein andZeit, p. ,6,) . Making
ptesent rsentation} ttanslatesgegenartigen, Kant'stbesis and tetm in bis
Ttanscendental Aestbetic, cited by Heidegget in a note ,Being and Iime,
p. |i,nzo, SeinandZeit, p.,,?) .Anotbetnote ,Sein andZeit, p. ,6,) ,as Dastut
pointsout,aimsatHussetl,wbetetbelattetusestbesamewotdtocbatactetize
sensepetception.
zz. Dastut, Wotld, llesb, Vision, p. |o. Didiet ltanckquotes and takes
intoaccount,atapatticulatlyimpottantpointinbisbook,tbettanslationinex
tenso oftbenotetopage,6, in SeinandZeit_BeingandIime, p. |i,nzz| ,wbicb
ismainlyaimedatHussetl.lnit,beannouncesasetiesofquestionstbatovet-
ows tbe ftamewotk ofbis wotk, wbilepointingto one ofits distantaims
,Chairetcors, pp. z|-z,) .WitbtespecttoMetleau-lontyandtbewotdexot-
bitant,ptecselyoteetilycbosenwitbtespecttotbeplacetbeeyeisgiven,Luce
ltigatayalsospeaksoftbeexotbitantptivilegingofvision. ,Metleau-lontyac-
cotdsanexotbitantptivilegetovision. Otelse, onceagain,beexptessestbeex-
otbitantptivilegingofvisioninoutcultute. ) Sbe doessoina teading ofIhe
si//e andtheIncisi//e ,Tbe lnvisible oftbe llesb. A Reading ofMetleau-
lonty, Ihelisi//eandtheIncisi//e, Tbelntettwining-TbeCbiasm, ' inHn
Ethics oSexaa/Drence, ttans. Catolyn 8utke and Gillian C. Gill. ltbaca,
N. . CotnellUnivetsityltess, i,,, , p. i;|) , equallyotientedbybetconcetn
abouttetoucbingandtwolips ,ibid. ,p. i66) , mentionedeatliet,seeCbap-
tet ? n. ,) . 8uttbis time, it isatoundtbe pbtasetwo|ips as Metleau-lonty
bimselfinsctbesitinadiffetentwayin lisi//eandtheIncisi//e,ibid. , p.i,6, lti
gatay'sttanslatotsnote.'ttbispointinLingis'sLnglisbttanslation,'laps'issub-
; ;| Ns/ss/sPagssz1-z{
stitutedlot lips, ' atypogtapbical ettot tbatseemsto mimewbat ltigatay calls
tbeinvisibilityoltbeleminine ibid. ,p. i66| .-Ttans. ) .
Seeagainbete|ay,DoancastE,es, esp.cbap.,, as wellasCatbtynVasseleu'ste-
centbook, Icxtares oLight lisionandIoachinIrigara LecinasandMer/eaa-
Pont,,London.Routledge,i,,?) .Vasseleualsowtote.Toucb,DigitalTecbnol-
ogyandtbeTicklisb, inIoachForam,SydneyAttspace,i,,6) . Tbissbottand
tematkable loutpage atticle-witb wbicb l am becoming acquainted as tbis
bookisalteadyinptoduction-announcedtbei,,?book.8ut,liketbisentiteis-
sueoltbispublication,consistingollottysixpages,batdlyaccessibleinutope,
asticbastbeyatecondensed) , tbeatticleisoutstandingintbewayitinsistson
tbequestionoltechno/og, Vasseleutemindsustbatatsballcubansaidabout
tbesenseoltoucbtbatitistbesenseoltbeelecttonicage)attbesametimeastbe
ptobibition, pbobia, otdelitiumoltoucbing, accotdingtolteudinIhreeEssa,s
onthe Iheo,oSaa/it,otIotemandIa/oo.Tbesetwomotils ,tbetecbnologi-
calandtbepsycboanalyticalones,tbemetonymicsupplement,andtoucbasab-
stentionotabstinence)atewbatlamattemptingtotbinktogetherbete.
z,. Ontbe wotld-poot ,ae/tarm) animalwotld and so lottb, see attin
Heidegget, IheFandamenta/Concets oMetah,sics vr/d Finitade, So/itade,
ttans.WilliamcNeillandNicbolasWalket,8loomington.lndianaUnivetsity
ltess, z) .-Ttans.
z|. Heidegget,Beingandme,p. ,z?.
z,. lbid. , citingKant,KritikderReinenrnan, 8,,, seeCritiqaeoPareRea-
son,ttans.Smitb,p. 6,.
z6. lnanoldettextinwbicblquestiontbeptivilegegiventovision,tbeteis
no citationoltbesewotds byHeidegget ,buttatbetNietscbe's Iaihghtothe
Idottans.Antbony. udovici , NewYotk. RussellC Russell,i,6|) , p. 6;| ,
tbeApollonianecstasytbatactsaboveallasalotcestimulatingtbeeye,sotbatit
acquitestbepowetolvision), buttbeteletenceto Heideggetiscleatlyteadable,
tbougbtatbetambiguous,intbecoutseolalongdevelopmentdedicatedtotbe
bistoty olpbilosopbyas pbotology, metapbotoldatknessandligbt ,olsell-
tevelation andsell-concealment) , beliocentticmetapbysics, andsolottb.At
tbecentetoltbeatgumentistbequestionaboutlotce,wbeteitisdiculttohnd
inatbinkingoltbegaeandinpbenomenologyaconcept. . . wbicbwouldpet-
mittbeconceptualiationolintensityotlotce.SeelotceandSignihcatiou ,tbe
textisltomi,6,), teptintedinitingandDrence, ttans.an8ass,Cbicago.
UnivetsityolCbicagoltess,i,;?) ,pp. z; Ontbelogicolbeliottopic bege-
mony,seeWbiteytbology,inMargins OPhi/osoh,, ttans.Alan8ass,Cbi-
cago.nivetsityolCbicagoltess,i,?z) .Seealsonvoi,inPs,chIncentionsde
/aae,i,?;,tev. ed.,latisGalile,i,,?) , . iz,ll.
Ontbismotilol lotceandtbetelatedapotiasinHussetl'spbenomenology,
Didietltanckalsoasksbimsell.8utwbenbaspbenomenologyevetgivenitsell
Ns/ss/sPagssz{z;

, ,
tbemeanstodesctibefotcesandtbinktbem` ,Chairetcors,p . ,?) .Andfut
tbetWbatistbisfotce`Howisonetoundetstandtbeconnectionbetween in-
catnateptesenceandfotce`lnpbenomenology, istbeteanymeanswbatevetto
answettbesequestions`Wecannotbesute. HegoesontolocalizeinHussetl's
textwbatlinkstbis question offotceto aunivetsal teleologyandsexualdtives
implyingotintettwiningtbeotbet'sesbintbeego'sesb,ibid. , pp. i,zff. ) .
z;. Dastut,Wotld,llesb,Vision, p. |, sligbtlymodihed.Dastutbeteadds,
inanote. Tbese i . e. , inhnitesimalandtadicaldisplacementTtans. | atetbe
tetmsbywbicbDettidaexptessesbisowntelationtotbeHegeliandiscoutse c
Dettida,Margins, ttans. 8ass, p. i|.-Ttans. | . Henti Maldineyalsosbowsbow
tbetbemeofnoncoincidence becomes incteasinglyinsistent,especiallyin Ihe
lisi//eandtheIncisi//e, infact) , wbetbetitis aquestion oftoucbingandtbe
toucbed,otinpatallel, seeingandtbeseen. SeeHentiMaldiney,Cbaitetvetbe
danslapbilosopbiede M. Metleau-lonty, inColetteetal. , Mer/eaa-Pont,Le
s,chiqaeetecorore ed.Tymieniecka,esp. pp. ;,-;|and?;, andllesband
Vetb intbe lbilosopbyofMetleau-lonty, ttans. Claite L. Katz, in Chiasms
Mer/eaa-Pont,sNotionoF/esh,Albany.StateUnivetsityofNewYotkltess, zooo),

,i;6.
|acquesColette,wtitingintbesamevein,Lathexivitdusensible,inMeraa-
Pnt,Les,chiqaeetecoore/) , explainswby,insi/andtheIncisi//e, tbete-
ectionoftbetoucbingbandbytbe toucbed band temains tbe model ofall
tehection,andtbenitisamattetofsutteptitiouslyinttoducingminimalamounts
ofnoncoincidencein tbebomogeneousdensityoftbeimmediatesensiblepte-
sent.Tbisisnecessatybecausetbeputtingincontactofoneselfwitb oneselfis
ungtaspable,intangible-exceptif, init,oneinsettstehexivityineffect,tbete-
exivitytbatknowsandtecognizestbedualityofptesentihedandptesenti[ing
consciousness ,pp. ||-|,) .
MaldineyandColette tben undetscote tbe motifofan imminence anda
ptesentimentannouncingwbatisnevetattained,wbicbistosay,coincidence,
putetehexivetevetsibility, tbeptesence of8eing, andso fottb. Sbouldn't one
bavestattedwitbtbisimpossibility`
z?. MauticeMetleau-lonty, IheStractareoBehacior, ttans.Alden liscbet
,8oston 8eaconltess,i,6,) .
z,. L. g. ,Metleau-lonty,Phenomeno/ogyoPercetion, ttans. Smitb, pp. ?ff.
Subsequentlyalsocitedpatentbeticallyin tbetext,abbteviatedasPhen.Percet.
-Ttans. |
,o. Seealsoibid. , pp i|,f, zi|ff. ,z,;.
,i. SeeDettida,MemoirsotheBhndttans.8taultandNaas,pp. ,zf, wbicb
also deals witb tbe telations between tbe band, tbe eye, and tbeitptostbeses,
wbetelquoteatlengtbftomandintetptettbesetextsbyMetleau-lonty, intbeit
telationtotactiletbings,amongotbets.
Ns/ss/sPagssz1zz6
,z. ltseemssomewhatdifh cult,thetefote,tofollowHentialdineywhenhe
futthetsttessesthisananthtopologicalallegationotdenialinquotingthesesame
lines.The/ogosofthewotldisnotthe/ogosofanyoneandthephilosophical/ogos
isnotan intetptetaionofthewotldbyme notby man.lnstead,itis atevelation
of8eingin man, tight in mme} an open passivity ,aldiney, llesh and
Vetbinthelhilosophyofetleaulonty, p. ;,) .
, , . l s i t stillusefult oemphasizethis`l ntheinstantwhenahiatusi s saidto
bespanned enam/} bythetotalbeingofmybody,thisexampleofthehand
still ptevails-ofmyhand as thehandofa man. And this occuts at thevety
pointwhetetevetsibility,sooftenputfotwatdelsewhete,nowseemstobeindis-
pute,andnoncoincidenceseemstoaffectallthesenses.
ltwas ftomthesepages-withoutanycitedtefetencethatNancyexttacted
thesentencebyetleau-lonty,atweatecallingHesh,thisintetiotlywotked-
ovetmass,hasnonameinanyphilosophy _ si//eandtheIncisi//e, p.i|; )that
hequotes,ottathetkeepsatatslength,otevendenounces,aswastecalledeat-
liet,seethebeginningofChaptet,), onthesubjectofthattowatdwhichsttains
aphilosophyofthe'bodyptopet' ,Nancy, Coas,p. 66) .
As fotthevetbpalpate,i nPhenomeno/ogyoPercetion,i t designatesahgute
ofthegaze,acettainwayoflooking. 8lueisthatwhichptomptsmetolookin
a cettain way, that which allows my gaze to palpate it in a specihc mannet
etleaulonty,Phen. Percet,p. zio,slightlymodihedTtans. .
,|. lotexample. lfmylefthandistouchingmytighthand, andifl should
suddenlywishtoapptehendwithmytighthandthewotkofmylefthandasit
touches,thisteHectionofthebodyuponitselfalways miscattiesatthelastmo-
ment. . . . 8utthislast-minutefailutedoesnotdtainallttuthftomthatptesenti-
mentlhadofbeingabletotouchmyselftouching,si/andtheIncisi//e,p.,) .
1a. Ingsn/Il
i. ln ltench. Al|eu ettientlieu.alieu touten tenantlieu,alieu pout tenit
lieupat efaitdetenitlieuetenvuedetenitlieu. alieudetenitlieu. tenant
lieud' avoitlieu.-Ttans.
z. Thankyou.-Ttans.
,. SeeHussetl, CartesianMeditations, ] 6o.
|. Nancy,BeingSinga/arP/ara/ p.zoon,,slightlymodihedTtans. .
,. ltanck, Chair et cors. Subsequently cited patenthetically in the text.
-Ttans.
6. Thephtaseanalyticsofincatnation,whichistathetapptoptiatetodehne
Chairetcors,lleshandbody) ftomtheoutset, appeatstowatdtheendofthe
bookinanoteaimingtodeh neatasktocomethatoutwotkintendstomake
necessaty ,ltanck, Chairetcors, p. i|,). Seealsoibid. , p. i,,. an analyticsof

Nssssagss..e.., ; ;/
esb olwbicbwebae ttied toestablisbtbeuecessity.Tbis aualytics oliucat-
uatiouisalsopattolaptogtamtbatoetHows pbeuomeuologyaudolade-
ductiou ,towatd wbicb we will come back latet) tbat Hussetl, accotdiug to
tauck,basueetset. . . towotk ,ibid. , p. i;i) .
;. Tbeselotmulasappeatetyeatly,ibid. ,p.|o)audatetbeutelayedbyuu-
metousequialeuexptessioustbtougbouttbebook.
?. tauckdoesteletolisi//eandtheIncisi//eiubiscbaptetlesbaudody
iuletceptiou,tauck,Chairetcors,pp. |l) , lotexaple,abouttbeabsolute
bete,wbicbasabsoluteotigiuisuotpattoltbespaceoliutetcbaugeablebetes
aud tbetes ,lesb is tbe stage ditectot olpetceptiou) . uotbet teleteuce to
Metleau-louty,ibid. , p.i|i) ultimatelycoucetusaptoblemaualogoustotbeoue
oltbeabsolutebete,iutbisiustaucetbeoueoltbeLattb, iuitsptotoptimot
diality,wbicbdoesuotmoe,asHussetlsaidatouepoiut. DieUt-tcbeLtde
bewegtsicbuicbt tbispbtaseappeats iu Dettida'sEdmandHasser/ Origin o
Ceometr,HnIntrodaction, ttaus.|obu Leaey|t. ,Stouytook,N. . . Nicolas
Hays, i,;?) , p. ?,. Dotiou Caitus, iu bis Caider ans/atingHasser/ ,Tbe
HagueNijboH, i,;,) , ttauslates |r-Hrcheasotigiualatk.-Ttaus. lutbeiu-
tetal,auotbetteleteuceiuauotecoueystbecoucetutbatlsbatewitbtauck,
eeu ill am temptedto tespoud to itlesshtmlytbaubedoes ,we'llcomeback
totbis) , abouttbettauslatiou olLei/asHesb ,chair) . eteistbeuote' Tbe
body,Lei/)isuotbiuglessbutuotbiugmotetbaubetbiugs' couditiouolpos-
sibility ,Metleau-louty, Signs, p. i;,) . ody' bete is tbe ttauslatiou olLei/
,ltauck,Chairetcors,p. |;) . Seealso,ibid. , p. i6?,auotetelettiugtoMetleau-
loutyoutbe subjectolwbattesistseideticatiatiou,wbetbetitistbeatcbelac-
ticiyoltbeesbotbistoticiy, iuawotd,acettaiutadica|con-tingenouwbicb
ltauck's booklocusesaudwbicbwesballtackleagaiulatetou.
,. SeeHasser/iana,ol.i,, textuo. zz,pp. ,;?-?6, Teleologie. Dielmplika-
tioudesLidos ttauseudeutalelutetsubektiittimLidos ttauseudeutaleslcb.
aktumuudLidos. -Ttaus.
io. udso,sbouldwetbiuktbattbis coutact, ascoutactltomoueselltooue-
sellh tstolall,coustitutestbisetysuppott`letbaps,siucetbe esbisotigiuat-
ilycoustitutediutactiliy.Witbouttbiscoutact,uolocaliatiouiugeuetalcould
takeplace. , tauck, Chairetcors, p. i|o) . Hete,iuadditioutotbetextstbat
baebeeucited,tauckaddsauoteiuwbicbHussetlqualiestbetactilelayet
as otigiuatycotelayet' |rkernschichte coachearchi-noda/e . SeeHasser/iana,
i| |?|.-Ttaus.
. SeeLdmuudHussetl,OnthePhenomeno/ogyothe ConscioasnessoInter
na/ Iime (:8,
;
:,:
7
;, ttaus.|obu atuett tougb , Dotdtecbt Kluwet, i,,i) .
Lectutescottespoudsor/esangeniutbetsttitler/esangenzarPhnome-
no/ogiedes innerenZeit/eaasstseins, HalleNiemeyet,i,z,) .-Ttaus.
iz. Cbttieu,L'ae/et/a ronse,p. io6. ltetmakugacommeutabouttis-
Ns/ss/sPagssz{z{z
toeand speaking ofan untoucbablewitbin toucbing itsel a hlmotmem-
btanetbatkeepstbeskinapattftomtbings, andtbatweatenotfeeling, Cbt-
tienadds. lottbisslippingaway _dro/ement ,intbesensations tbemselves,of
tbe mediation,Atistotleseeksto account. tbisistbepbenomenal gtoundingof
tbe beliefintbeimmediacyofcontact. Cbttienalsocallstbisslipping, tbis
minimalspatialtemoval /oigement , acei aself-veiling. ltejudicesabout
toucbateotdetedinkeepingwitbitsownveilinglesptjugssutetoucbetsot-
donnenta son ptopte voilement . ln otbet wotds, tbe ttutb oftoucbweaves,
slipsinto,andtetainstbisveil,tbetextottextileofitsvetypbenomenality. We'll
comebacktotbisintetptetationoftbeintetvallicbyCbttien.
i,. Dtfen odetmssenwit nicbteineunivetsaleTtiebintentionalittvo-
taussetzen, die j ede uttmlicbe Gegenwatt als stebende eitigung einbeiicb
ausmacbtundkonktetvonGegenwattzuGegenwattfotttteibtdetatt,dassallet
lnbalt lnbaltvonTtiebetfllungistundvotdemielintendiettist, unddabei
aucbso, dassinjedetptimotdialenGegenwattttanszendietendeTtiebebbetet
StufeinjedeandeteGegenwattbineinteicbenundalemiteinandetalsMonaden
vetbinden, wbtend alle ineinandet impliziett sind-intentional` ,Ldmund
Hussetl,TextNt. ,|,inHasser/iana, i,. ,,,) .-Ttans.
i|. ln det sttmendenUtptsenzbaben wit unabndetlicb immet scbon
Leibwabtnebmung,undsoindeteitigungdetimmanenteneitgebtdutcb
dieseganzeeitkontinuietlicbbindutcbmeineib-Wabtnebmen,syntbetiscb
identiscb denselbenLeib allzeiicbkonstituietend. See Hussetl, Manusctipt
C6,eaf,b,p. } inttansctiption) . lvetymucbtbankRonald8tuzinafotcon-
tactingDietetLobmat-cuttentlyeditingtbesemanusctiptsfotpublication
wbo kindlysent tbis textintbefotm inwbicb itwillappeatoncepublisbed.
-Ttans.
,. We canfollowtbesetwomovements,ltanck,Chairetcors, pp.i,i-,,,in
patticulat)anettbeanalysesoftwolacunaeintbeLectutesonTime. I) tbe
tempotal botizon ola ptotention pteceding, in time, tbe atcbe-imptession,
wbicbistosaytbeotiginoftime, and,z) tbeotiginatilyaltetedcbatactet, tbe
matkof wbatisalientotbeego,ichemd)intbeconstitutingesb.sbouldatcbe-
imptessionscomeftomtbeotbet,tbeconttadiction intbetelationsbetweentbe
egoandtimewouldbelined.Tbeegocandtawitsotiginftomtime,ofwbicbit
istbeotigin, tbesameuxmaybeconstitutingandconstitutediftbeteatetwo
egos tbatatecatnallyconnected,andifabsolutettanscendentalsubjectivityisin-
tetsubjectivity.Tbesemovementsateinfactannouncedottecalledtbtougbout
tbebook. Hetewendagainalltbepatadoxesoftbeconstituting-constituted,
tbeybaveoccupiedmefotalongtime,andNancy,fotbispatt,statesntbepas-
sagetbatlbavej ustcited. Tbeconstitutionisitselfconstituted ,Nancy,Being
Singa/arP/ara p. n,,) .
i 6. Tbeabsoluteof constitutioni s tbuscon-tingent,andas pbenomenology

Ns/ss/sPagssz{z-z{ ) )
setsaboutexbumingandteactivatingtbemostatcbaiclayetso l constitution,as
itsinks deeptowatditsownloundations,itletsanadvetse adcers} andanatcbic
gtoundingcomelottb,apbenomenonolwbicbitnolongettecognizestbepbe
nomenality,itlaysbateanatcbelacticitytbatitptetendedtoteduce.
Tbisatcbelacticity,wbicbistbeotiginatycon-tingencyoltbehesbandtbewill
nevetlallwitbinanintentionalanalytics,seemsbytbesametokentooetitsell
as atbemelotanexistentialanalytics,wbicbcanbeundetstoodas abetmeneu-
tcsollacticityandattempts,bywayolanecstatic ekstatiqae} intetptetationol
intentionality) todisplaceas tadicallyaspossibletbeptimacyoltbesubectivity
olconsciousness. Iheesh, /othroerandanroegicestime o o . . Notonlyisit
incatnationtbatessentiallyconstitutespetception,butalsotbehesbdoesnotlet
itsellbebtougbtbackto tempotaityas to itsptinciple. ltcould tbetelote not
takeplaceinananalytics olDaseintbatisentitelyotientedanddominatedby
tempotality" ,ltanck,Chairetcors,p. i,,) . Seealsop. i6,n,i.
TbislimitinBeingandmebadeatlietbeengivenasottolcomplementaty
explanation otintetptetation. ltis because teckoningwitbtbehesb-esbly, ot
sexual,dietence-wouldbavejeopatdizedtbeptivilegeoltempotalitytbatHei-
deggetissaidtobavekepttoasexuallyneuttalDasein,seeltanck,Chairetcos,
p. i;i) . 8ut itisespeciallytbe books htstcbaptettbat ca|lsintoquestiontbe or-
derinwbicbSein andZeitunlolds-tbestattingpointoltbe question ol8eing
inanexistentialanalytics, lundamentalontology,tbedesttuctionolttaditional
ontologylastlyguidedbytempotality, andso lottb.Accotdingto ltanck, tbis
concetns"biswayolptoceeding,initsorder, inawayanddoesnotnecessatily
tevetse,ctiticize"it,ibid. ,p. z6) . To besute,ltanckwtites ,p. z;)tbatHeideg-
getbimselllatetwtote,inOnimeandBeingTbeattempt,inBeingandIime,
section;o,to detivebumanspatiality olDasein-Ttans . ltom tempotalityis
untenable" ,Heidegget, On IimeandBeing, ttans.|oanStambaugb NewYotk.
HatpetC Row, i,;z| ,p. z,) .
Ontbisquestionol tbeneuttalityol Dasein, andtbedissemination,Zerstrea-
ang) olDaseininspace,adisseminationtbatspatializesotspacesout,ltaketbe
libettyolalsotelettingtbeteadetto |acques Dettida, Gescblecbt,dilltence
sexuelle,ditenceontologique,"inid. ,Ps,chGescblecbt.SexualDietence,
OntologicalDilletence,"ResearchinPhenomeno/ogi,,i,?,) .
i;. ltanck,Chairetcors, pp. ,?.
i ?. SeealsoCbaptet?.
i,. Llsewbete,tegatdingdeatb,ltanckalsospeaksoltbeabsenceolanytbe-
matization oltbeesb" in Hussetl ,Chairetcos, p. i,o) . We couldno doubt
complicate,ilnotdispute,sucbassettions-ustbyteadingIdeasII,andmany
otbettextsbyHussetl) ,aswellastbeteletencestbatltanckbimsellmakestocet
tainimpottantanddilhculttextsbyHeideggetontbesenseolLeib andLeib
baltigkeit" ,ibid. , pp.z|, z;nnz6-) . Doesntltanckbimsellexplaininwbat
Ns/ss/sPagsz{
waynoonemayeasilysubecttoanyuniinglawtbewbole setolHeidegget's
wtitingsontbeHesb ,ibid. , p. z;) `Admittedly, tbisisnottbesameas saying, as
bedidsevetalpageseatliet,tbatinHeidegget,justasinHusset

tbe

uestionol
tbesenseoltbeHesbdoesnotatise,ibid. , p. zi) .Moteovet,someolHeidegget's
texts ,e.g. , tbose

uotedinibid. , p. z;nn,i,z)pointtowatdtbeeHottbemade
,wbetbetotnotbeaccomplisbedit, tbatisadilletentquestion)togivetbougbt
to Lei/beyondtbebodyandtbelivingotganismaswellas psycbicalHesb
andptobablybeyondtbeesbgtaspedinaCbtistiansense.
zo. Seetanck,Chairetcos,p. zo. lntbispassage,tanck

uotesltomHei
degget'sPro/egomenazarCeschichtedesZeit/eg,tankluttaM.Klostetmann,
i;) _Cesamtaasga/e,vol. zo| ,pp. ,,,|,Histor,otheConceto IimePro/e-
gomena, ttans.TbeodoteKisiel , 8loomington. lndianaUnivetsityltess,i?,) ,
pp. |ol-Ttans. |
zi. Heidegget,Histor,otheConceto Iime,pp. |oH.
zz. Ldmund Hussetl, Ides directricesoaranehnomno/ogie, ttans. laul
Ricut,latis. Gallimatd,i,o) ,cLdmundHusset
'
IdeasCenera/Introdaction
to ParePhenomeno/ogy, ttans.W. R. 8oyceGibson , LondonAllen C Unwin,
i,i) ,telettedtobeteasIdes, ttans.Ricut, IdeasI,ttans.8oyceGibson) ,and
Ideen/lottbeGetmantext,Ideenzaeinerreinenhnomeno/ogieand hnome-
no/oschenPhi/osohie,dptinting| Halle.Niemeyet, iz?| ) .-Ttans.
z,. Oneoltbetwo sentences in

uestion is tbe lollowing,twicequotedby

tanck,Chairetcors,pp. i,i6|) .Tbusessentialinsigbtisintuition,andilitis
insigbtintbeptegnantsenseoltbetetm,andnotamete,andpossiblyavague,
teptesentation,rgegenartigang) ,itisarimordia/datotlntuition,gtaspingtbe
essenceinits incatnate' ,/ei/haen) modihedltom'bodily'-Ttans. | selbood
,Hussetl,Ideen/ ,Idea/ pp. ,,,6onetetmmodihed-Ttans. | ,Ies, ttans.
Ricut,p.zzmodihedbytanckasstated-Ttans. .TbelacttbatHussetlputs
tbewotd/ei/haenin

uotationmatkssignalsotundetscotestbelacttbatitdoes
not,ptopetlyspeaking,meanincatnatedinsomeHesbotevenintbeHesb,as
tanckttansctibesitinbiscommentatyonp. i6|,tbistime-wbicbissometbing
we may sutmise wben dealingwitb an essence inits ipseity otselood das
Weseninseinet'leibbanen' Selbstbeit.
l nHussetl'sotbetsentence,Ideen/ , , Ides, ttans. Ricut,p. iz6,Idea/
p. iz;) , quotedbytanck on p. i, Hussetl empbasizes Beaasstsein der/ei/-
haigen Se//stgegenaarteines indicidae/en O/ektes, ttanslated byRicut as
consciencedelaptsencecotpotelleenpetsonned'unobjetindividuel,andby
tanckaslaconsciencedel' autoptsenceincatned'unobj etindividuel and
byGibsonastbeconsciousnessoltheem/odied(/ei/haigenseresenceoan
indicidaa/ o/ect-ans. ] .8utisn'titcleat,bete,tbatlotHusset,tbisisn'tabout
tbebody,ottbeesb,otanybody, otincatnation` Notbing butimmediately
ptesentipseityingenetal,asintbeeatlietexample`Moteovet, tbepbtasebasto

I
Ns/ss/sPagss.,e-.,,
dowitb tbe ptopet ofany petceiving consciousness, even ifwbat it pet
ceivesisneitbetlivingnotpetsonal.
z. l ttiedtostudytbistbematictoleinEdmandHasser/Origin oCeome,
,ttans. Leavey) see pp. ;6ll. , ??ll. , and passim, and inSeech andPhenomena
HndOtherEssa,s onHasser/Iheor,oSigns ttans. David .lison ,Lvanston,
lll . NottbwestetnUnivetsityltess,i,;,)-Ttans. seepp. i6ll. , ,. , andpas-
sim) . ltemainunconvincedtbatHussetspeaksanonmetapbotical languagein-
tentionallyaimingatsomeesbotincatnationwbenbeuses/ei/ha ig,andnot
Lei/otLei//ichkeit) todesignateanintuitionotapetceptionoftbetbingitself
,essenceotindividual) .
z,. See ltanck, Chairetcors, p. i,.
z6. l tackletbisptoblemofKrerandLei/ftomapointofviewtbatisbotb
dilfetent andanalogousin, fot example,EdmandHasser/ Origin oCeometr,,
ttans eavey, pp. ,;f, andSeechandPhenomena,ttans.llison,p. ?i, ptecisely
aboutbeteto-aflectionatwotkintbeputeauto-aectionoftbelivingptesent.s
j ustpointedout,mypetplexitystandsalltbelesslotanykindolctiticism,unless
itispteemptivelyasellctiticism)tbatlmyselfbavebadtottanslateSrach/ei/as
linguisticesb chair/ingaistiqae} linguisticlivingbody,intbecitedttansla-
tion, p. i6i-Ttans. anddiesrach/icheer/ei//ichangaslinguisticincatnation
incarnation /ingaistiqae} linguistic embodiment, i tbe cited ttanslation,
p. i6i-Ttans. | ,seemyinttoductionto Hussetl's OriginoCeomet,. )
z;. ppetzeptoneigeneteibundltemdetLeibgebtenwesenicbzusam-
men ,Hussetl,arPhnomeno/ogiederIntersa/ekticittxteaasdemNach/ass:
Erster i:J0[J20 TbeHague.Nijbo i,;, ,Hasser/iana, i, ,) .-Ttans.
z?. ndsoevetytbingbeteplaysitselfoutintbedetetminationoftbeaectol
actionastoucb,tactileotcontacteect.We couldsaytbesamefottbedetet-
mination ofimressions. lnotdetto sbowinwbatwaytbe tempotalization of
senseis,ftomtbeoutset,a'spacing, ' lbad,fotmypatt,attemptedtoanalyzetbe
betetoaffectionattbebeattoftbisptimotdialimptession andolaputeauto-
aectioninwbicbtbesameistbesameonlyinbeingaflectedbytbeotbet,only
bybecomingtbeotbetoltbesame. cettaineechtangalsocameabouttbete,
aptimotdialintettwiningltomwbicblwasttyingtodtawacettainnumbetof
consequences.CDettida,SeechandPhenomena,ttans.lison,pp.?,.
z,. Some migbtwondetwbatjustihes tbis namingandwbytbe telationof
myesb toanotbetwouldbehtstandfotemostotessentiallyatelationolsex-
ualdilfetence,ifwe assumetbattbeteisonlyone,andtbatitssignih cationdoes
not metely come to speci[a catnal diffetence. Tbis question visiblywotties
ltanck,wbo,intbeptecedingcbaptet,dedicatesanotetotbepossibilitytbatin
acettainway, catnaldilfetenceptecedessexualdiffetence. utattbispoint,be
alsoptogtammaticallytelets totbeanalyticsofincatnationtbatoutwotkin-
tendstomakenecessaty ,ltanck, Chairetcos,p. i,) .
Ns/ss/sPagssz(1z((
,o. lbid. ,p. i;o,Hasser/iana,i,. ,;,.
,i. SeeCbaptet,.
,z. SeedmundHusset
'
IheCrisis oEaroean Sciencesandanscendenta/
Phenomeno/ogHnIntrodactiontoPhenomeno/ogica/Phi/osoh,,ttans. DavidCatt
,vanston,lll. . NottbwestetnUnivetsityltess,i,;o) ,,,, p. i?; Onanimals,see
alsoltanck,Chairetcos,p. ,i. lntbequotedpassageltom IheCrisis, Hussetl
wtitesamongotbetthings.onganimals,menstandout,somucbso,inlact,
tbatmeteanimalsbaveonticmeaningassucb|onlybycompatisontotbem_erst
con ihnen her} ,asvatiationsoltbem" ,Husset,Crisis, 66,p. zz;) .
,,. ugleicbistesklat,dasseineNatutobneLeibet, alsoobneMenscbenun-
denkbatist" ,Hussetl,ZarPhnomeno/ogiederIntersa/ekticitt Icxteaasdem
Nach/ssDritterIci/J2J[ TbeHague.Nijboli,;,| ,Hasser/iana,i,. 6,,) .
Ttans.
, lteletagaintoStiegletsLatechniqaeet/e tems,wbicblaysouttbisptob-
lematicinclosestptoximitytoHussetl-andinadebatewitbpbenomenology,
notablytbepbenomenologyoltime.
J. Iangsn/l
NoteTbecbaptet titleincludespassagesltom|eanLouisCbttien,L'ae/et
/a onse,p.i,,, quoting|obnoltbeCtoss,IheLicingF/ameoLoceTbettans
lationolCbttienstextismyown,andpassagesltom|obnateltomIheLicing
F/ameoLoce rsionsHandB, ttans.|aneAcketman,8ingbamton.StateUni-
vetsityolNewYotkltess,i,,,) , bencelotwatdcitedasF/ameB,otF/ameH)
sligbtlymodihedbete,onp. iz,olAcketman'stext.-Ttans.
i. Nancy, DeconsttuctionolCbtistianity, "ttans.Spatks,p.iz|.Tbispassage
announces a seties olte ections about tbe patticulat bistoticopbilosopbical
context"wbete tbatwbicbmakesitsellknowntolaitbisinh nitedistancing"ot
tbeinh niteopeningoltbesenseoloasiatbougbtasptesence,aroasiaolitsell"
,ibid. , sligbtlymodied-Ttans. ) .
Notonlydoestbeguteoltbebeatt"appeatintbelinestbatlj ustcitedlot
teasonstbatatealltooobvious,Nancyalsospeaksabouttbebeattoltbismove-
mentolopeningup" ,ibid. , p. ii;) , tbeevangelicallivingbeattolCbtistianity"
,p. iz,) , andaboutpenettatinginto tbe cote, into tbe essential movement ol
ketygmaticotevangelicalCbtistianity" ,p. iz,) , andluttbet-intbesenseolan
otbethgute-abouttbeactollaitbtbateacboltbelaitblulcanptoclaiminbis
otbetbeatt,sometbingtbatlbavenotbeenconcetnedtoexaminebete",p. iz,) .
On deconsttuction" and Cbtistianity" in genetal, see |acques Dettida,|
Commentde paspatlet. dngations, "in id. , | Ps,ch, id. , | How toAvoid
Speaking. Denials,"ttans.Kenltieden,inLangaagesothe |nsa,a//e IheP/a,
Ns/ss/sPagssz-z,
oNegaticit,inLiteratareandLiterar,Iheor,, ed.Sanfotd8udickandWolfgang
lset,ewYotkColumbiaUnivetsityltess,i,?,) , id. ,|lassious,ttans.David
Wood,andSaufenom, ttaus. |ohu Leavey|t. , inid. , | OntheName, ed.
ThomasDutoit ,Stanfotd. Stanfotd Univetsityltess,i,,,) , id.,| IheCo
Death, ttans. DavidWills ,Chicago. UuivetsityofChicago ltess, i,,,) id ,|
laithandKnowledge, ttans.SamuelWebet, inRe/igion, ed|acquesDettida
andGianuiVattimoStaufotd.StanfotdUuivetsityltess,,,?| and,lastbutnot
least,toHeutdeVties'sadmitablePhi/osoh,andtheIarntoRe/igion,8altimote.
|ohnsHopkinsUnivetsityltess,i,,,) .
z. Metleau-lonty, lisi//eandtheIncisi//e, pz,,.
) . HentiMaldiney,Ladimeusiouducontactautegatdduvivautetdel' exis-
taut,"inLeContact,ed.|acquesSchotte, 8tussels.De8oeck,i,,o) ,p. i;; My
ttauslatioucitedbyChttieniuLae/etmronse, p.ioz.-Ttans. |
|. SeeDettida,LeIoacherTouch / ToTouchHim, ttansKamuf.
,. lnLae/et/a ronse, see Le cotps etetouchet 8odyandTouch| ,pp.
iozf Latet,aftetthisi,,zepisode,inLesensda mondeSenseothevr/d ttans.
Libtett| , itwasancy'stutnto gteetthewotkofthistematkablephilosophet,
whom he did notyet kuowwhen hewtotehis ownchaptet on Touching.
ancynoted. On'touching'i ugenetal,l havediscovetedtoolatetomakeuse
ofitthatlamfollowiugsomepathspatalleltothoseof|ean-LouisChttien,' Le
cotps etetouchet,'inLae/et/aronse. . . ,Senseothevor/d p. i?,n6|)
latallel paths indeedWeshall iudeed be teceptive to what makes the two
sttollalougiu patallel,sidebyside, one bythe othet'sic-andthus, lestwe
shouldevetfotget it, theotherside. Andthesepatallelssometimesiutetsectand
touch, too 8utweshall nevetthelessleanovetandpetusetheabyssthatmaysep
atatethetwopaths.Theyatecettaiulyalike.Andyet,wiletemainingasdiffet
entaspossible,inthiscasetheyalso lookliketwo ,iucompatible)waysofbeing
otuotbeiugChtistian
Subtitle.howto beotnotto beChtistian,otmotectudely,Thelmpottance
of,not) 8eingChtistian-asifthiswetepossible
6. ltmaybeoutofmodestythatChttienabstaiusftomcitingltanck,since
hepublishedhisbookmotethantenyeatsanetltanck's,iuasetieseditedbythe
lattet.ltisdiculttoavoidheatingauimplicittefetencetoltanck,tathetthau
toMetleau-lonty) inapassagesuch asthefollowing, inwhichl emphasizethe
wotdhamanlifesoas to announce otcallto mindthe/imitl thinkisimpot-
tant. Thephenomenoogyoftouchdoesuotmakeupsometegionalandpat-
ticulatstudyattending to one functionofthe livingamong othets. ltom the
outset,aphenomenologyoflife,ofthebodyaudthe esh, cauonlyconstitute
itselfbywayofaphenomenologyoftouch,andthisamountstosayinghowse-
tiousitis.Touchiugisuottst,otlastpethaps,j ustoueoftheh veseusesfot
Atistotleitistheseusethatisnecessatyandsufh cientto allowauanimatebody
Ns/ss/sPagssz(,-z(y
toappeatitistbepetpetualconditionolpossibilityolhamanlileandtbusaso
olotbetpossiblesensestbatwillalwaysbepattolabodytbatistactile ,Cbt-
tien,L'ae/et/a ronse,p. io|) .
;. At tbis point, Cbttien apptoptiately notes olAtistotle's tbinking. lt
comesdowntotbemosttadicalandpatientconsidetationoltoucbintbebistoty
olpbilosopby,ibid. ,p.ioz) . ltisnowondet,tben,tbatbywayol Atistotle'slex-
iconolaoria,wbicbwestattedwitbandbavej ustlollowedinDidietltanckas
well) ,tbeaoreticttaditionoltbisbaptologyissoinsistent,andexptessivelyso,in
Cbttien ,e. g. ,ibid. , pp. ioz,io|, io,, io?,andi|;) .
?. Cbttienoltencallsonlke, tbetbinketandpoetoltbeband, olbands,
outltigbtenedbandsngs/icheHnde} ,buthtstolalclaspedbands-joined
incatessesnolesstbaninptayet.ltisalwaysamattetoldemonsttatingtbettan-
sitivityoltoucb,andsbowingtbatalltbesebandstbattoucbandateintoucbac-
cedetotbevetytbingtbatexceedstoucbandtoucbbeyondselltoucb.Still,al-
tetbe basquotedandintetptetedRilke'ssecondDuinoelegy,wbicb,accotdng
tobim, setsoHcontactwitb onesellagainsttbecatessesol lovets, tbatis, tbe
povetty olselltoucb against tbe bypetbole oltoucbing-tbe-otbet) , Cbttien
teacbestbisconclusion.Sell-toucbingcouldnotbetbettutboltoucbing,ibid. ,

i|o) .
,. lbid. , p.i ,i . Hete, Cbttienbasj ustquotedAtistotle,Metah,sicalambda
iz| ,;. io;zb. i,-zi,andbemakestbelollowingcomment.Wbiletbisspititual
toucbnolongetptesents anymedium otdistancewbile, asputeact, itis no
longetoltbeotdetolallectionwbileunlikecatnaltoucbing,wbicbisaways
mediate,itistotallyimmediate,itisnevettbelessunlailinglyttansitive.
. Aquinas. Hencetbeintellectoltbehtstspbetebecomesactuallyundet-
standingtbtougbsomekindolcontact,ercontactama/iqaem)witbtbehtstin-
tel|igiblesubstance . . . . anytbingtbatisdivineandnoble,sucb undetstanding
andtakingpleasute,wbicbisloundintbeintellectbavingtbecontact,ininte/-
/ectaattingente) , is loundin amucbbigbetdegtee in tbehtstintelligibleobject
witbwbicbitisincontact,ininte/igi/ihrimoqaodattingitar),Aquinas,Com
menta,ontheMetah,sicsoHristo/e,vol.z,ttans.|obn Rowan Cbicago.Reg-
nety,i,6i| , iz. ?. z,|z|,,| p. ?,,) .
i. SeeCbaptet;.
iz. AtistotleMetah,sicalambdaiz| ,;. o;zb. i,-zi.
i,. See Cbaptet|. Cbttiendoes not quote Levinasontbesubjectoltbeca-
tessanymotetbanbecitesltanck.Hedoessoonlyontbesubjectolcontactin
sleep,wbicbisoltendiHetent,andgenetallycomeslatet) . Sleepingislikecom-
ingintocontactwtbtbeptotectivevittuesolplaces,seekingsleepisseekingtbs
contacttbtougbasottolgtopingttonnement} TbepassageisquotedbyCbt-
tieninL'ae/et/a onse,p. i,6ltomLmmanuelLevinasDe/'existenced /exis-
tant,latis. lontaine, i,|;) , pp. ,-zo. Myttanslation. Howevet, apublisbed

s/ss/sPagssz,z,;
ttanslationoltbebookexists. Levinas,ExistenceandExistents, ttans.Alpbonso
Lingis,TbeHague.Nijboll, i,;?) . -Ttans. |
i|. TbomasAquinas, IheDisatedaestionsonIrathttans.RobettVScbmidt
,Cbicago.Regnety,i,,|) ,vol. ,, qu z?, att. ,, tesp | ,p.,6?.
i,. |obn oltbe Ctoss, F/ameB, i nLicingF/ameoLoce, ttans. Acketman,
p. iz; quotedinCbttien,L'ae/et/ronse,p. i,z.
i6. |obnoltbeCtoss, F/meB, inLicingF/ameoLoce, ttans. Acketman,
pp.iz,, iz, sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .
i;. As citedinibid. , p.iz;.-Ttans.
i?. SeeCbaptet|.
i,. Latliet cbaptets establisbed tbe intetsection olseeing and beating
doesnttbisptesupposetbelundamentalsenseoltoucb`Cbaptet|isastudyol
tbelattet.itsaxisisapbenomenologicalteadingolAtistotle,lotwbommanisa
tactilebeing,sincenoone basgiven mote tbougbttbanbetoissuesoltoucb
Hisquestions,bisteplies,bisapotias,intbisplaceasinmanyotbets,detetmine
tbewbolebistotyolpbilosopby.Tbtougbouttbeseanalysesitappeatstbattbe
body, intactility,does,andcan,listen ,Cbttien,L'ae/et/ronse,pp.izi,) .
zo. ucblatetintbe atticle tbeseassettionsatetepeatedandamplihed,e. g. ,
seep.i|;.
zi. To cteditalogictbatisnotsimplylotmal,itdoesn'tseematbittatyinte
specttotbisptocess,andtbelawitobeys, toinvokeetleaulontysteletence,
indenyingtbeantbtopologicalcbatactetolbisowndiscoutseontbeesboltbe
visibleandtbe esboltbewotld ,analyzedeatlietasadenialinCbaptet,) , to
Logosalso aswbatistealized inman, but nowise na/ement} as bisroert
,etleaulonty, lisi//eandtheIncisi//e, p. z;|) .
zz. Cbttientbencites Rmi 8tagues bookon'tistotleandtbequestionol
tbewotld,Hristoteet/qaestiondamondesaisar/econtextecosmoqaeetan-
throo/ogiqaede/'onto/ogielatis.ltessesunivetsitaitesdeltance, i,??| ) . anis
tbeanimaltbatpossessestotbebigbestdegteetbesensetbatistotbebigbestde
gteecommontoallanimals.Hisplaceattbetopoltbescaleoltbelivingpettains
totbemotepetlecttealizationinmanolwbatevetylivingbeing,aslivingbeing,
possesses ,pp. z6o6i) . yttanslation.-Ttans. | Ontbe supetiotity oltbe
senseoltoucb,seealsoCbttien,L'ae/et/ronse, pp.izz,iz, ,inAquinas),
iz|-z,, iz?,i,o, andsolottb
z,. SeellixRavaisson,De/'ha/itade,ed. illot,i?,|,latis.layatd,i,?|) .
z|. lt lollowstbattbesoulisanalogoust otbeband, lotas tbebandisa
toololtools_cheirorganonestinorgann} ,sotbemindistbelotmollotmsand
sensetbelotmolsensibletbings,AtistotlePerisachss,. ?. |,zattans.Smitb) .
-Ttans .
z,. His wbatevettbecasemaybe _qaoiqai/ensoit} tbenleavestbediscus-
sion suspendedandmovesittotbebypotbesis concetningwbatmaybeintet
Ns/ss/sPagss.,-.e,
estingtokeep,ftomaCbtistianpointofview,fotatbinkingoftbeHesb.Wbat-
evettbecasemaybe,ifoneseekstospeci[tbeexcellenceofbumantoucbingby
wayoftbefeelingintbehngets,bywayofapossibilitytbatonlymanmigbtpos-
sess,won'tonebeledtoloseoneoftbeotbetsensesofunivetsality, tbatis,tbe
senseoftbeHesb` ,Cbttien,L'ae/et/a ronse,p. ,) .
z6. AtistotleMetah,sicaiz. ;,io;zb.
z;. . e. . lamaindel'-dieu. -Ttans.
:. Iss/sachsa"
i . ltencbtext.Commentpassetde/etoucbet'J tetoucbet'`Toi`
z. Nancy, adconsttuctionducbtistianisme, p. ,o;Deconsttuctionof
Cbtistianity, ttans.Spatks,p. 6.
,. To myknowledge,inoneplaceatleastofbisCoas,Nancydoesmention
Atistotlewitboutgivingatefetence,wbeteexactlydoesAtistotlesaytbis`) but
abouttbesenses ingenera/-anfeelingpleasute. 'tistotleknewitwben be
saidtbateacbsensefeelsandknowsitselftofeel,eacbonesepatately, witbout
genetalconttol,eacboneintetteat,as sigbt, beating,taste, smell, toucbeacb
onebaspleasuteandknowsitselfintbispleasute,intbeabsolutesepatationart}
ofitspleasute.tbetbeotyoftbe atts is wbollyengendetedftomtbete ,Coras,
p. io,) . nEgosam, asbasbeen noted in Cbaptetz-Ttans. |
'
avetybtiefallu-
siontoAtistotledealsonlywitbtbelocalizationoftbesoulinanotgan.Tbisot-
ganisnotdetetmined.,SeeUnumquid, inEgosam,p. i6i. )Seetbediscussion
oftbisptoblemintbeptecedingcbaptet,dealingwitbCbttien'sbook.
q. SeewbatwassaideatlietabouttbisaptoposofHussetlinCbaptet?.
,. Nancy, Coras,pp. ,iH. t i s tbusnecessatyt oteteadtbewbolecbaptetti-
tledLxpeausition. Notesimplybetetbatintbefollowingcbaptet,Tbinking,
sexisdehnedintbisway.tisn'ttbenameofsometbingtbatmigbtbeexposed.
itistbenameoftoucbingexpositionitself. Sex'toucbesupontbeuntoucbable
,ibid. ,p. , ,) .
6 . Nancy, Deconsttuctiono f Cbtistianity, SimonSpatks,p . iz,.
;. Nancy's L'intras ,Tbe lnttudet) was cited eatliet. Sucb a catdiogtapby
wouldnotbelimited totbeessaytitled ecutdes cboses ,inNancy's|ne
ensenielatis.Galile,i,,o , pp. i,;H.,TbeHeattofTbings,ttans.8tian
HolmesandRodneyTtumble,in IheBirthtoPresenceStanfotd. StanfotdUni-
vetsityltess, i,,,| , pp. i6;ff. ) . 8utitwouldbeginpetbapswitbtbattext,witb
itsvetytypicalmannetofstattingoutftomanidiom,toucbingtbetebytbeend
ofitslanguage,tbetipofitstongue,Tbisimmobilebeattdoesnoteven beat.
tistbebeattoftbings.Tbeonewespeakofwbenwesaytogettotbebeattof
tbings' '' ) ftomtbeteitgoes,inallditections,totbebottomoftbings,betetotbe
bottom oftbebeatt ofbisbeatt, bisotbetbeatt, bisbeattoftbeotbet, ofall
Ns/ss/sPagss.e.e
beatts. Tbe Heatt olTbings isone oltbeptincipalplaces inwbicbNancean
tbougbtexposestbeexsctiptionolsense.
?. |ean-LucNancy, TbeUnsactihceable, ttans. RibatdStampandSimon
Spatks,inFiniteIhinking, ed.Spatks.
,. Deut. io. i6. Citcumcisetbetelotetbeloteskinolyoutbeatt,andbeno
longet stubbotn. -Ttans. ltet Saint lau|, Augustine, and tbe entite ttadi-
tion, lascalwtites. Citcumcisionoltbebeatt, ttuelast,ttuesactihce, ttuetem-
ple tbeptopbetssbowed tbatall tbismust bespititual. Not tbe hesb tbatpet
isbes,buttbeesbtbatdoesnotpetisb' ,Nancy, Unsactihceable, p ,?, citing
lascal,Penses, ttans.A. KtailsbeimetHatmondswottb, . K. lenguin8ooks,
i,66 , z6?,p. io,) .
lltbete isso mucb atstake between|udaismandCbtistianitytegatding cit
cumcision,litetalotspititual,oltbebodyottbebeatt,ashguteolspititualit,
oltbe toucbableot untoucbablebeatt) , can onesaylotalltbattbatwbat sepa
tates Cbtistianitltom|udaism, tbesyncopebetween tbem, tbetewbetetbey
cannottoucbeacbotbet,tbe|udeo-Cbtistiannoncontactispteciselytbetelation
to toucbing` Can one say tbat tbe|ew tequites ,sensible otlitetal) toucbing
wbeteastbeCbtistianspititualizesitandtbuslosesit`Thatwouldbesomewbat
simpleand,inpatt, tbepattolspitit,alteadyaconventional,Cbtistianintetpte-
tation, ilnotCbtistianityitsell. lotCbtistianity, invetsely, isalso intentonin-
augutatingateligionolsensibilit,evenoltoucbing.Hence,itwouldalsoaccuse
tbe|ewsolgivingintotbesublimeotcoldbatdnessolinsensitive otuntoucb
ablettanscendence, andsolottb.We sbouldcomebacktotbis-andsaymote
aboutacettainbatdness, lotexample, tbebatdnessaboutwbicb Hegelspeaks
wbenbespeaksabout|ewsandtbenonteconciliationannonlotgivingolwbicb
tbeyatetbehgute.Andluttbetoltbetuggednessolbands, tbeinsensitivityol
sensibilityitsell, ilnotoltbeinsensiblesensible, wbicbbaseatneditswattant
olpbilosopbicalnobility,inKant, Hegel, Matx,andsoon) .
Aninh nitecbiasmustemains.|ews like totoucb mote tban Cbtistianswbo
like to toucb mote tban |ews. Accotdingly, |ews bting tbe Lettet into play
againsttbeSpitit,andtbustbetoucbableagainsttbeuntoucbable. 8ut|ewsate
also tbe ones keen on Sepatation, onScission, on tbe Untoucbable lnvisible,
andtbeunteptesentablesublime. lnvetsely, ,lauline) Cbtistiansputintoplay
tbeSpitit,tbustbeuntoucbable)againsttbeLettet,buttbeyatealso tbeones
keenonatetutnto tbesensible,lncatnationandmediation, andtbusontbe
ToucbableVisible.|esus. tbeToucbedToucbingAndMuslimsatetbebypet
bolicbeitsoltbisendlessconttadiction,tbatis, conttadictionoltbevetylnh-
niteitsell. As usual,Godcconttadictsbimsell.Andtbisisababitwebave
contractedin out tutn. Tbisconttadicts itsell asecontredit -acould
tbispossiblymean,exactly, ingoodLnglisb ltencb lsn'titasundecidableas
ittoucbes,itsel l)setoache
Ns/ss/sPagss.-.,.
io. Nancy, Unsacticeable,"ttans. StampandSpatks,inFiniteIhinking, ed.
Spatks,p.6,.
. lbid. sligbtlymodied-Ttans. | .
i z. Nancy,Unsacticeable,"ttans.StampandSpatks,inFiniteIhinking, ed
Spatks,p.,,sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .
i,. lotAtistotle,toucbi s alsotbesenselotlood, "amongotbettbingsall
animalsbaveonesenseatleast,viz.toucb,andwbatevetbasasensebastbeca-
pacitylotpleasuteandpainandtbetelotebaspleasantandpainlulobjectspte-
senttoit,andwbetevettbeseateptesent,tbeteisdesite,lotdesiteisj ustappeti-
tion ,eithamia) olwbatispleasant ,hsdeosorexis, desiteolwbatis pleasant) "
,AtistotlePerisachssz. ,.|i|b. ,ll. , ttans. Smitb) .|eanLouisCbttiencites tbis
passageinL'ae/etmronse,p.II}.
i|. Tbebuccalmoutb,letustecl,andnottbeotalmoutb8uccalityismote
ptimitivetbanotality. "We sbouldteanalyze,ltomadiHetentpointolview,atbe-
toticalone, tbevetyhnepagestbatconcludeNancys Unum quid" inEgosam.
Wbatopensandsituatesitselltbenmaybetbequestionoltbetoticingenetal
betebywayolatatbetsingulat metonymy, tbe onetbatgivestise-attbemo-
mentonespesit-toevetymetonymy,wbicbistosaytbemoutbandtbelace.
AlteadyNancywasdtawingtbeconsequences,lotDescattesaslotlteud,oltbe
lacttbatTbepsycbeisextended,knowsnotbingaboutit",Unumquid"inEgo
sam,p. i6i) .s,oris, tbemoutbolotality,istbelaceitselltakenasmetonymylot
tbatwbicbitsuttounds. . . . 8ut /accaistbepuHed-outcbeeks, tbemovement,
conttactionandotdistensionolbteatbing,eating,spitting,otspeing . . . Tbe
moutbistbeopeningolego,egoistbeopeningoltbemoutb.Andtbete,wbat
comestopassistbatitspacesitselloutceqaisasec'estqa'i/sesace,ibid. ,
p. i6z) .SeetbediscussionolUnumquid"inCbaptetz.
i,. |ean-LucNancy,L'imatcatgoriqae,latis. llammation,i,?,) .
i6. |ean-LucNancy, LllipticalSense, ttans.|onatbanDetbysbite, inFinite
Ihinking, ed. Spatks,p. io,.
I}. Nancy, liniteTbinking," ttans. 8ullatd eta . , inFinite Ihinking, ed
Spatks,p.,.
i?. Asideltomevetytbingtbatbaspteviouslybeendevotedtotbisquestion,
tbistakesusback-albeitdiHetently-to8etgson,wbonodoubtattemptedto
tesisttbeautbotityoltbeopticalandtosubttacttbeconceptolintuitionltom
sigbt,intbatwbicbconnectsitwitbdutation.lnanycasewebaveseenbowbe
doestbisatleastinagutativeway,buttbeguteisoutquestionbete) lotin-
tuitionwbenitndsitsellat tbe centetolandtbesoutceola pbilosopbical
tbinkingwottbyoltbename."isstatementislamous.` pbilosopbetwottby
oltbenamebasnevetsaidmotetbanasingletbing eideggetinsistsontbis
uniquenessinbisownway-|. D| andeventben,itissometbingbebasttied
tosay, tatbettbanactuallysaid.Andbebassaidonlyonetbingbecausebebas
Ns/ss/sPagss.,.-.,e
seenonlyci. andattbatitwasnotsomucbiimyem-
pbasis-|. D. | ,Henti 8etgson, ccici ttans. MabelleL. Andison
NewYotk.lbilosopbicalLibtaty i|6 , p. i, . Andtbispbilosopbet,assoon
as onetakesontbespititualwotld, basknown, accotd|ngto 8etgson, bowto
speak tbis language ticb in images, wbicb knowsitsays tbingsin tbeit ptopet
sense,wheteabsttactlanguageunconsciouslysaystbingsintbeithgutativesense.
Nancy,apbilosopbetwottbyoltbename, maybetbinkingonlyonetbing,
8etgsonwouldsay,wbicbistosayoltoucb,olcoutsebuttbistime,tben,j ust
tbis once,bewouldbavedoneitincontacti, contactitsell, andtbis
cbangesandundoesevetytbing.lot,againinmattetsolpunctuationandpunc-
tuality) ilbebasseenonlyonepoint. . . inwbatwasnotsomucbavisionas
acontact,tbenitistbat tbete is no tbe senseoltoucb, not contact-and
luttbetmotetbattbispointisespeciallynotapoint,anindivisibleplace,atoucb-
ablelimit,butai-lotevet.To besute, anexactpunctualityisdivisibleit
knowsbowto divideitsellanditknowstbatitisdivisible-initsspacingasin
itsvetyhniteness. lntbis,tbeteissomevetydivisibilityevenoltbepoint.And
ltomtbesaidundecidabledivisibility,adecisioncomeslottb,stopssbott,makes
itspoint-iltbeteevetisany.We bavej usttead. Discetningiswbetetoucbing
andvisiontoucb.ltistbelimitolvision-andtbelimitoltoucb,Nancy, Ll-
lipticalSense, ttans.Detbysbite,p. io) .
i Nancy, liniteTbinking, ttans. 8ullatd et al. , in iic ii, ed.
Spatks,p. ?.
zo. latticulatlyintbelongandticblycomplexnotewitbtbelollowingcon-
clusion.Tbeteisonlysenseintoucbingtbat.8utintoucbingtbat,tbeteisonly
hnitesense ,ibid. , p. , z,|
zi. lbid. , p. , quotingRimbaud, Lecutsupplici.
22. Nancy,i,ttans.Hansonaslnttus. ,Sincelbavealsomentioned
tbatNancydoesnotknowwbetbetbisnewbeattisaman'sbeattotawoman's,
l needtospeci[betetbatinanotetoi,beaddsateletencetoacettain
dtawingbySylvie8locbet |ean-Lucwitbawoman'sbeatt. )
z,. Nancy,lnttus,ttans.Hanson,pp. i,-i|,modihedmyempbasis. Tbe
btacketedsentenceisltomtbeotiginalvetsionoltbeessayandbasbeenadded
bete. Dettidaquotesltomtbehtstpublication inltencholi, ontbeln-
tetnet,tematkinginanoteontbistecbnicallotmolptivatepublisbing,tetmed
c-i-Ttans.
z|. Nncy, LllipticaSense,ttans.Detbysbite,pp. io-io,modihed.Onecould
lollowtbesemanticsoltoucbinginits most litetal lotmtbtougbouttbebook.
2. lbid.
z6 lbid.
2}. lbid. , pp.JL vetysligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .Aboutltbeconnecting
tbteadstbatgo ltomtbis question oltbeuntoucbable's toucbandexsctiption,
; /o Ns/ss/sagss.,,-.,
tbeteatealsomanyotbetteleantpassagesintbisbook.lntbeotiginaledtionol
|neensenie,seepp. i?, ,,H.,i,;,i|,,zo;, zo?, zi,z|i,z|,-||,z|;-|,, z,|,
z,?,z6,,z6;, z6?,z;, andpassim.Seealsoancy,Leoid'aneense, pp. L
i,|,andpassim.
z?. |acquelineR|sset,L'amoarde/oin,latis.llammation,i,?? .
z,. lbid. , p. z,.
,o. Wbowillbae known bettettbanancybowtotbink-liewbat con
sentingto tbe bodyand bodies" may mean` lntbe plutal, to mote tban one
beatt`To consentinandtotbeplutal.laskmyselltbisanddontndanyanswet
toitinmylile. "
,i. Cbttien,Lae/etmronse,p. i|, .
,z. ancy,lnttus,'' ttans Hanson,p. ; myempbasis-|.D. | .
1}
. nd/ssa'
i. ancy, lnttus,"ttans. Hanson,p. ;.
z. ancy,ExerienceoFreedom,ttans.McDonald,pp. ,andizo.
,. llotinus, lteeWillandtbeWilloltbene, "Enneads6. ?. i,, Loebed. ,
ttans. . H. tmsttong ,Cambtidge, Mass. Hatatd Unietsity ltess, i,?? ,
p. z,i Dettidacites llotinus, aitsar/a h/ertet/a co/onde|n _nnade
N, ? ,,, | , ttans.GeotgesLetoux,latisVtin,i,,o .-Ttans. | ln commenting
ontbispassage,GeotgesLetouxnotessometbingimpottantlotusattbepoint
wbete ancynamestbis genetosityolbeing" lteedom. Tbeteisnocom-
pellingnecessityattbeotiginolessence,buttatbetagenetousspontaneitytbat
llotinusbetedatestonamelteedom,EnneadN ? ,ibid. , p. ,?; .Seealsotbe
discussioninCbaptet6oltbisbook.
|. llotinus,lteeWillandtbeWilloltbene,"Enneads6. ?. i?, pp.z?,, z?;
,. HeteancycitesKant'sRe/ionthintheLimitsoReasonH/one.Ttans. |
ancy,ExerienceoFreem,ttans.McDonald,p. iz|.
6. lbid. ,pp. zoo-zoi.
;. ancy,liniteTbinking,"ttans.ullatdetal. , inFiniteIhinkined. Spatks,
p. z, sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .
?. lbid. , p. z|sl|gbtlymodih ed-Ttans. | .
,. SeeCbaptet|
L. Witb tegatd to tbecontagious andcontaminating, immunityandim-
munosupptession,seee.g.ancy'sL'intrasandCoas, p. ,. Tbeattetisthus
alsoabookaboutotganttansplantation,lDS, andeenautoimmunityandal
tbatlollows.textliketbisone,thisone,indeed isitsellexposedintbisway
andcannotbaeanypteentiesystem,index,otsupposedlyexbaustiewayol
tteatingtbings,toptotectitsellagainsttbecontaminationtbatimmediatelygoes
beyonditsbounds.We atetoucbingtbelimit-andtestingottaskingit.
otetoagezy-zy, ; /i
II. lancy, Cour dcs choscs, trans. Momcs and Jrumbc Mcart o| Jhings,
Jrans.
Iz. lancy, Shattcrcd Iovc, trans. Iisa Carbus and Smona Savhncy, n d. ,
FiniteIhinking, cd. Sparks, pp. z(;n, Jhc Mcart. Brokcn, i n bid. , pp. z;;z;;.
t. Cn thc contact vith sc|) , on sc|-ovc, thc ovc o| scI and hi/atia,scc
lancy, FiniteIhinking, pp. z;ph. Jhc bcing-touchcd o| thc subjcct in ovc sgni-
hcs hcrc its bcng opcncd up, voundcd, brokcn n ts ntcgrity, struck, n |cnc-
ing onc may bc touchc. Iovc rc-prcscnts Ito itsc| brokcn and ths s not a
rcprcscntation) . It prcscnts this to t. hc, this subjcct, vas touchcd, brokcn nto,
in his subjcctivity, and hc is|rom thcn on, |or thc timc o| ovc, opcncd by this
sicc, brokcn or |racturcd, cvcn | ony sighty lancy, Shattcrcd Iovc, trans.
Carbus and Savhncy, pp. z6o6t) .
I(. lovais, Fragments,cd. Cucrnc, pp. ;(;; trans. Icggy Kamu|] , on thc
hcart, scc bid. , pp. p(p;.
t;. Ibid. , trans. KamuI, pp. (((; modhcd-Jrans. ] .
I6. lancy, Leo idsd'aneense, p. , Vcight o| a Jhought, trans. Ra||ou
and Rccco, p. ;;.
t;. Scc |can-Iuc lancy, lotrc probitc! in id. , L'imratatgoriqaeIaris.
ammaron, Ip8) , `` ` Cur Irobty! ` . Cn Jruth n thc Nora Scnsc in licttschc,
trans. Ictcr Connor, n LookingHerNiethe,cd. Iaurcncc A.Rickcs ^bany.
Statc Lnvcrsity o| lcv York Ircss, Ippo) , pp. 6;88, and lancy, Ic katcgorcn
dc ` cxccs, ibid. , Jhc Kategoreino| Lxccss, trans. jamcs Cibcrt-Vash and S-
mon Sparks, in FiniteIhinking, cd. Sparks, pp. I;I.
I8. lancy, Leoidsd'aneense, pp. tI;z(.
tp. lancy, Vcght o| a Jhought, trans. Ra||ou and Rccco, in Cracit,o
Ihoaght, p. 8o vcry sghty modih cdJrans. ] .
zo. jcan-Iuc lancy, LanaissanedesseinsYacncc. Lcoc rcgonac dcs bcaux-
arts, rpp6) my transation-Jrans. ] . ^nong othcrs thngs this is a mcdtaton,
at thc samc timc yrica, thought|u, and anaytica. It runs through a kind o| an-
thoogy and iconography vhic aso mutipying its touchcsavays in accor-
dancc vith thc grammar that vc havc bccn trying to |ormatc turn thc tonguc
agan tovard vhat has touchcd t p. 6] , tovard a imt o|anguagc but 8mt
to touch, a |ragic h m o| a skin p. p] , vith anguagc right at thc thinghov
to touch, hod, handc, vcgh, and prcscrvc it so as to gvc t p. i] , thc dcrv-
ativc indchnitcy gong on thc tangcntvhat touchcs n ordcr to dstancc tsc|,
vhat touchcs vhic distancng itsc| . . . systcm o| hght and contact p. tp] ,``A-
vays vcghng out mpondcrabcs. Jhought vcighsths s thc mcaning and
scnsc o| its namc p. z6] , in ordcr to touch to thc cxtcnt o| this oss p. ] ,
Vc arc cxacty bctvccn thc tvo p. (z] , Jhs s hov onc touchcs truth. onc
turns and dcvatcs |rom it to obscrvc its scncc p. ;o] ) .
zt. lancy, Lanaissanedesseins,pp. (6(;.

; Ns/s/sPagszy,{{
22. lbid.
2). lbid.Nancyundetscotesexactement,exactly) .
z|. Nancy, WeigbtofaTbougbt, ttans. RaffoulandRecco, pp. ;,-;6.
z,. lbid. ,pp ?o?i.
z6. See ibid. , pp. ;,-?o, on exsctiptiou audtbeimpenettable ,tbatwbicb
wouldsetupanobstacletottavetsalotpetfotation) . SeealsoNancy,Exerience
oFreedom, pp. io,-|. thinkingtoachestheimenetra//e resistanceoeedom
,tbatis,alsotbatoflauguage, oftbesinga/art,oftbinketsandtbougbts, of
tbe/od,tbattbinks) . lwouldbaveliked to iusistontbeimpenettableaccotd-
ing toNancy, and ou tbe impeuettableNancy. 8yassociatingtbis motifwitb
tbatofbisexactitude,lwouldbavesbowutbatbistastefottbeimpenettable,of
wbicbtbeteatecountlesssigusinbistexts)letsouedivinein|eanLucNaucya
degteeofbatdness. His tendetness,bisgenetosity, bisexactitude, bis punctual-
ity, bisattentiveavailabilityto allotbets,toallvittualdiHetences,alwaysteady
fotanytbing,atenotnecessatilyconttadictedbyacettainbatdness,byadamaut
tigot-tesolution,duty, coutage, andkuowiug ,wbennecessaty) bowtobe ot
toappeatsevete, inHexible, insensitive,otuntoucbable. His punctuality ,intbe
divisibilityindivisibilityofits poiut) penettatesandtemains impenettableand
incalculable,ittemainsastbefait,iuHexible/eam,eaa| oftbescales,fatallybe-
falliugwbatweigbsWbatablow_qae/ ,eaa| . l amabstaiuingftomalongexe-
gesisofKantiaubatdness,Hrte) accotdingtoHegel,wbo,asagoodCbtistiau,
ofcoutse,tbinksaboutaudctiticizesit.
z;. Nancy, WeigbtofaTbougbt,ttaus. RaffoulandRecco,p. ;6.
z?. Nancy,llipticalSense, ttans.Detbysbite,p. !L.
z,. Naucy, WeigbtofaTbougbt,ttans.RaffoulaudRecco,pp. ;6,?o.
,o. lbid. ,p. ;,.
,i. lbid. , p. ? sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. | .
)2. lbid. ,p ?o sligbtlymodih ed-Ttans. | .
Sa/s
i. Nancy,ExerienceoFreedom,ttans.cDonald, p. ; modih ed-Ttans. | .
Ontbeselftoucbiugoftbougbtsasfteedom,ofatbougbttbattoucbes . . . ,in
itselfandofitself,this/imitthatisitscer,eedom,seealsoibid. , p. ,,. ltisadif-
hculttbougbtbecause tbis expetienceis tbat ofa uonsubjective, even uucon-
scious, fteedom. Tbeselftoucbingtbatfotmsitsspaceotspacingalsoexceeds
subectuess,tbesubect/obectoppositiou,tesponsibilityasegologicalotsubjec-
tive,eveuinteutional,consciousuess,andastesponsibledecision.Tbisbastoaf-
fectawbolepolitics,awboleptoblematicoftbepolitical.Abouttbeptoblems
tbatateimpottautfotusbete,seealsoibid. , pp. ||,|;, ,,, ?,,ill
Ns/ss/sPagss{{1a

z. ancy, Sublime Offeting, ttans. Libtett, offtande sublime, in ne

ensenie.
). ancy, offtandesublime, p. i?;. Tbispassagettans. leggyKamuf
Ttans. |
q. ancy,xerienceoFreedom,ttans.McDonald,p. qq.
. lbid. ,p. q sligbtlymodihed-Ttans. .
6. l tisnotaquestionoftejoiningan intactmattet.weatenotopposing
immanencetottanscendence. . . . Tbeteisnointactmattet-iftbetewete,tbete
would benotbing. Ontbeconttaty, tbeteistactility, posinganddeposing, tbe
tbytbmoftbecomingandgoingofbodiesintbewotld.Tactunbound,patting
andimpattingitself ,ancy, Coras,p. ioz) .
;. l. e. , un salutexespt. -Ttans.
?. l. e. , Unsalutsanssalvation,unsalutj usteu venit.-Ttans.
!ndcx Ol amcs
Jhc indcx ol namcs (othcr than |can-Luc Mancy`s) vas compilcd by thc translator.
^ristophancs, &(, &;
^ristotlc, (6, ii, i;zo, z)z(, z}, );,
(6(&, ;o, ;), 6&6}, ;i, io}, izz,
i(o, i;;, zi;, zz6, z)z, z(;, z(;~(},
z;z;}, z66, z6&, z};, )i&i}, )zi,
)z(, )z&, ))&, )(z, )(;, )(6, );&,
)6)~66, )6&
^rtaud, ^ntonin, 6i, iz;, z;;
^ugustinc (^ugustinus, ^urclius,
bishop ol Mippo), ;}, i;&, ))&, )(6,
)6;
arthcz, I-|. (Iaul-|oscph) , i(o
ataillc, Ccorgcs, iii, ii;i&, zzo,
z6;6&, ));
audclairc, Charlcs, ii(, ))6);
caulrct, |can, )i}
crgson, Mcnri, iziz), i);, i(((;,
i&(, zi;, )zizz, ))&, )(;, )6&6}
crkclcy, Ccorgc, (;, }&}}, io}, ii6,
izi, i);, i(o, i6o, zi;, z};, ))(
ichat, Xavicr, i;;, )(;
lanchot, Mauricc, zz, ));
lochcr, Sylvic, )6}
ochm, Margarct Lonaldson, )(z, )(),
)((
onnct, Charlcs, i(o, i(), )(z
raguc, Rcmi, )6;
ruzina, Ronald, );&
ullon (Ccorgcs Louis Lcclcrc, comtc
dc), i(o, i;), )((
Cabanis (Cabanis dc Salagnac, |can-
aptistc) , i(c
Cairns, Lorion, z);, );), );;
Caputo, |ohn L. , )z6
Caravaggio (Michclangclo Mcrisi da) ,
(&
Chcscldcn, Villiam, i);
Chrcticn, |can-Louis, i&(, zi&, zi}, zz),
zz}, z(;;}, z6i6z, z;), z;&, z&6,
)zi, )z&)o, ))&, )(), )(6, );i, );),
);;, );&, )6z66, )6&, );o
Cixous, Mclcnc, iz), iz(, ))}
Clacsgcs, Llrich, )(;
Colcttc, |acqucs, );i, );;
Condillac (Iticnnc onnot dc) , i(o,
i(i
Cupid, 3CC Eros
Lastur, Franoisc, zoo, zoi, zo), );i,
);), );;
Launou, I.C. F ( Iicrrc Claudc
Franois), i(o
;7)
IndsxsNamss
LcIcuzc, Cillcs, iio, iz)z;, i);, i&(,
zi;, )zi, ))&, ))p
Lcscartcs, Rcnc, iz, i6, zi, z)z;,
z&zp, )i)), )6, );, )p, (o, (), (;,
6(, ;z, iz;, i(o, i6;, i&), zio, zi;,
z;(, z&z, )zo, )zi, )zz, )z), )z;, )(i,
)(z, )6&
Lcstutt dc Jracy (^ntoinc Louis
Claudc, comtc), i(o, i(), )(z
Lidcrot, Lcnis, i);, i(o, zi;, )(o, )(i,
)(z
Elizabcth (Irinccss, granddaughtcr ol
King |amcs I), (o, )zo, )zz
Eros (in mythology) .
i), i;, (;, ;o;i,
6(6;, 6;, ;;;&, &i
&6, &&&p,
pzp), ))o, ))i, ))z
Evans, Frcd, ))i, );i
Fcnclon (crtrand dc Salignac, scigncur
dc La Mothc-) , i;&
Fichtc, . M. (Immanucl Mcrmann) ,
i(o, )(z
Ficino, Marsilio, ))&
Fontcnay, Ilisabcth dc, )(o
Franck, Lidicr, i&(, zi&, zip, zz),
zz6(;, z(&, z(p, z;), z;&, )zi, )z&,
)zp, ))o, ))z, )(p, );), );(, );66(
Frcud, Sigmund, ii, iz, i(, i;, zo, zi,
z;, z&, )O, )&, (), ((, (;, (6, (&, (p,
6(, 6;, ;&, i;), )o

, )i&, )zo, )zi, )z),

)z;, )z6, )z;, );(, )6&
Ccrando, |oscph Maric dc, i(o
Cingucnc, Iicrrc Louis, i(o
Ciovannangcli, Lanicl, )))
Croddcck, Ccorg, )&, )zz
Cuattari, Fclix, eeLclcuzc, Cillcs
Mcgcl, C.V.F. (Ccorg Vilhclm
Fricdrich), i6, z), (;, 6o, 6i, ;(, zo),
z6;, zpo, zp6
p;, )z6, )(z, );;, )6;,
);z
Mcidcggcr, Martin, zi, z), z;, );, )p,
(z, (6, ;(, 6o, ;(, i(p, i 6;, i&), zoo,
zoi), zi6, zz&, z)i, z))

)(, z)6,
z(i, z(;, zp), )o;, )ip, )zi, )z)z(,
))i

)z, ));, )((, )(;, );o, );i, );),

);(, );p, )6o, )6&
MusscrI, Edmund, z(, )i, );, )p, (i, (6,
iop, iio, ii6, izi, izz, i);, i(i, i(6,
i(p, i;p&z, zo6, zio, zi;, zi&, zz),
zz6)i, z))(z, z() z;z, z;z, z;6,
z&i, zp), )zi, )z), )z;)o, ))z, )((,
)(66z, )66
Ido/ogae, /e, i(o, i ;i
Intcgratcd Mcdia Systcms Ccntcr,
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