Tag: Castoriadis

Political Challenges in the Crisis of Criticism

By Yavor Tarinski

There is here a conspiracy—not in the legal sense but in the etymological sense: everything “conspires,” “breathes together,” is blowing in the same direction—of a society in which all criticism is losing its effectiveness.
~ Cornelius Castoriadis1

Continue reading “Political Challenges in the Crisis of Criticism” →

From Pseudo-rationalism to Rationality as a quality of thought

By Yavor Tarinski

We are no more nature rendered self-conscious than we are humanity rendered self-conscious. Reason may give us the capacity to play this role, but we and our society are still totally irrational – indeed, we are cunningly dangerous to ourselves and all that lives around us

~Murray Bookchin[1]


The dominant narrative today tells a story of linear progress, in which humanity is gradually becoming more reasonable and rational.[2] We are told that we travel from ages of darkness toward times of enlightenment. And, supposedly, this tendency can be delayed, but cannot be stopped. Or so the narrative goes…

Continue reading “From Pseudo-rationalism to Rationality as a quality of thought” →

The Federalist Principle in Castoriadis’ Project of Direct Democracy

By Yavor Tarinski

A much more humane society is possible and desirable.

~Cornelius Castoriadis[1]

The philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis insisted that what he envisioned as project of autonomy- the project of a society in which all citizens have an equal, effectively actual possibility of participating in the institution of society – is far from a utopian vision. On the contrary, he was convinced that it is possible and its realization depends only upon the lucid activity of individuals and peoples, upon their understanding, their will, their imagination.[2]

Continue reading “The Federalist Principle in Castoriadis’ Project of Direct Democracy” →

Federalism in the Political Project of Castoriadis (Lecture by Yavor Tartinski)

The following lecture was delivered by Yavor Tarinski within the framework of the International Conference: “Cornelius Castoriadis: 1922-2022. One hundred years since the birth of the philosopher of autonomy”, that took place in March 11-13, 2022, at Department of Political Sciences, AUTh, Thessaloniki.

Autonomy and Social Ecology: contrasting the visions of Cornelius Castoriadis and Murray Bookchin

In this episode of the podcast “Castoriadis and Autonomy in the 21st Century” author Yavor Tarinski joins the hosts to discuss the projects of Autonomy and Social Ecology, contrasting the visions of Cornelius Castoriadis and Murray Bookchin.

Castoriadis and the Political Question Today

Political activist Yavor Tarinski, author of “Short Introduction to the Political Legacy of Castoriadis” (Aftoleksi, 2020) answers to questions posed by the Greek political journal Aftoleksi on the topicality of Castoriadis’ thought today, during a public event.

What are the perspectives for the project of autonomy that Castoriadis’ thought offer?

Yavor Tarinski: Castoriadis offers an inclusive and holistic understanding of autonomy. He advocates for something quite different from what other autonomists support. Castoriadis challenges narrower understandings of autonomy:

Continue reading “Castoriadis and the Political Question Today” →

Political Organizing in the 21st Century

By Yavor Tarinski

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« Concern with the problem of organization has meaning only for people convinced that they can and must struggle together (hence, by organizing) and who do not, from the very beginning, assume their own defeat is inevitable. »

~ Cornelius Castoriadis Continue reading “Political Organizing in the 21st Century” →

The Interconnectedness of Ecology and Democracy: Towards a strategy “from below”

By Yavor Tarinski

The Interconnectedness of Ecology and Democracy: Towards a strategy “from below”

[I]t is one thing to establish international treatises, national laws, and environmental ministries and agencies; it is quite another to effect the concrete changes in attitudes, practices and institutions necessary to resolve the ecological crisis.

-Dimitrios Roussopoulos[1] Continue reading “The Interconnectedness of Ecology and Democracy: Towards a strategy “from below”” →

The political ecology of Cornelius Castoriadis

By Yavor Tarinski

Castoriadis

Ecology played a major role in the thought of Cornelius Castoriadis. Castoriadis viewed ecology in stark contrast from most environmentalists, now and then. Like political ecologists and the readers of this blog, he insisted that nature is not a commodity, and should not be seen as something separated from society. For Castoriadis, nature was integral to his, and anyone’s, political project. Continue reading “The political ecology of Cornelius Castoriadis” →

Self-Limitation and Democracy

By Yavor Tarinski

9687368356_6c01d3ea58_b-750x375[F]or the impulse of mere appetite is slavery, while obedience to a self-prescribed law is liberty.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau[1]

The philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis has often been credited with saying that “democracy is the regime of self-limitation.” [2] But since for him the only true democratic form is direct democracy, this claim might seem a bit odd. Direct democracy has come to be conceived by many, including several critics, as a regime that disconnects society from laws and regulations, resulting in its depolitization and degradation. This concept has understandably raised concerns about what would be the outcomes of the more excessive actions of the masses. Continue reading “Self-Limitation and Democracy” →

Castoriadis in the context of post-socialist Eastern Europe

1404856_1055703617815224_7784966476886222580_oBy Yavor Tarinski

This year marks 95 years from the birth of the big philosopher Cornilius Castoriadis as well as 20 years from his death. A long period of time in which much have changed but somewhat his thought remains as relevant and as fresh as during those rebellious days and nights of May ’68 when the Parisian youth, influenced to a large extent by him and his associates, challenged the dominant and bankrupt significations of that period, proposing instead new and radical narrative, rooted in one democratic tradition. Continue reading “Castoriadis in the context of post-socialist Eastern Europe” →