Strange Platonism: A Whitehead Primer
by Adam Robbert
I’ve been focusing my research on Whitehead quite extensively for the past few months, both in my own work and in my capacities as a research assistant and editor for others. A few months ago, I prepared a very brief overview of some basic concepts in Whitehead for Redmond Bridgman who is doing some very interesting research on speculative realism and art objects. Since then, that overview has taken on a life of its own, acting as a kind of foil against my emerging ideas around ecology and cosmopolitics. I’ve decided to expand that overview and post the result here for those interested. It functions as an introduction to some key Whiteheadian concepts and hopefully can peak the interest of those who do not have the time to engage Whitehead head-on. If you’re already a well-versed Whiteheadian, you won’t find much news to write home about here. Nevertheless, it has provided me with a good place to encapsulate what’s best in Whitehead so that I can return to other areas of research. Hopefully some of you will find it helpful. The pdf is available HERE.
Haven’t read it all yet, but so far I am really impressed. This is a great primer and it have cleared up some of the fuzzier parts of Whitehead. You really chose the right quotes from P&R, and your commentary on them is helpful and insightful. Especially the section on eternal objects; I had forgotten the bit about the ambiguity of the distinction made between eternal objects and actual occasions, or universals and particulars. Thanks!
Glad you like it! I’m particularly interested to know what you think about the section on creativity and God, being that these are the sections I tend to gloss over.
Thank you Adam for sharing this!