Acting Out

In Acting Out, Bernard Stiegler explores his transformation during imprisonment and the implications of contemporary disconnection on love and identity.

The book Acting Out combines two significant works by Bernard Stiegler, namely How I Became a Philosopher and To Love, To Love Me, To Love Us. These writings emerge from Stiegler's experiences during his incarceration, where he developed a unique discipline and a profound passion for examining the political, philosophical, and technical aspects of modern life. This collection marks the first time these influential texts have been translated into English, offering readers insight into Stiegler's transformative journey.

In How I Became a Philosopher, Stiegler recounts his five-year period of imprisonment for armed robbery, which served as a catalyst for his intellectual awakening. Isolated from his previous life, he embarked on a personal experiment in phenomenological research, drawing inspiration from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Through extensive reading and writing, Stiegler discovered his calling in philosophy, guided by the mentorship of Gérard Granel, a pivotal figure in his intellectual development.

The second part of the book, To Love, To Love Me, To Love Us, offers a poignant analysis of contemporary society. Stiegler argues that a growing disconnection from both individual and collective identities leads to an inability to love oneself and others. He illustrates this point through the tragic events surrounding Richard Durn, a local activist whose violent actions stemmed from a profound sense of non-existence. For Stiegler, this case exemplifies the pathological nature of self-love when it becomes detached from a sense of community and belonging.