Castoriadis, Foucault, and Autonomy

In a discussion of the highest intellectual quality, Tovar-Restrepo explicates Castoriadis' principal ideas, placing the development of his thought in its historical and political context, and engaging critically with the ongoing debates surrounding his work. In comparing Castoriadis' thought with that of the more widely-known Foucault, she uncovers the strengths and weaknesses of each, and presents a persuasive case for the under-recognized value of Castoriadis' thought for understanding the human subject and society,and as an intellectual foundation for the political project of autonomy. This book is an important addition to the growing body of scholarship on Castoriadis' thought and a valuable contribution to the critical appraisal of Foucault. -- Jeff Klooger, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, author of Castoriadis: Psyche, Society, Autonomy
In a close reading of these works, M. Tovar-Restrepo gives a rigorous and passionate account of a fundamental debate in French contemporary philosophy. -- Fabio Ciaramelli, Professor of Legal Philosophy at University of Catania, Italy
Cornelius Castoriadis was one of the most original and imaginative social thinkers of the twentieth century. Focusing on the themes of subject, society, and social change, Tovar-Restrepo has written a lucid and lively exposition and defense of his engaged thinking.Comparing him with Foucault she argues that Castoriadis helps to solve fundamental problems that Foucault left unresolved.This is an excellent contribution in restoring the importance of the thinker of radical imagination and radical democracy. -- Richard J. Bernstein, Vera List Professor of Philosophy, New School For Social Research, New York, USA
Tovar-Restrepo's reading of Castoriadis, a lesser-known contemporary of Foucault, is clear, concise, and critically thought-provoking. -- Vincent Crapanzano, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and Anthropology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, USA