Dany-Robert Dufour, born in 1947, serves as a professor of educational sciences at the University of Paris-VIII. His intellectual contributions bridge language philosophy, political theory, and psychoanalysis, focusing extensively on the phenomenon of désymbolisation. Beyond his academic appointments, he engages in collaborative projects across theatre, literature, and music, frequently conducting lectures throughout Latin America.
The Neotenic Condition
Dufour grounds his analysis in the biological reality of human neoteny, asserting that humans remain physically incomplete from birth. Lacking the fixed instincts found in other species, individuals must actively construct culture to secure their place in the world. He posits that this inherent fragility allows for both profound liberty and significant risk, suggesting that humans are tasked with self-creation within a symbolic environment.
The Symbolic Grand Subject
Human intersubjectivity relies on the movement of symbols to represent absent entities. Dufour identifies this abstract structure as the Grand Subject, a symbolic authority that has evolved from ancient gods and monotheistic concepts to modern abstractions like the Race, the Proletariat, or the current neoliberal Market. This mechanism facilitates social cohesion through shared, abstract representations.
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In his critique of neoliberalism, Dufour analyzes the shift from classical education—rooted in the Greek scholē—to a model driven by market-oriented impulses. He argues that modern liberalism prioritizes the unchecked pursuit of passions, replacing traditional self-mastery with corporal surveillance. His work outlines a trilogy examining how these shifts influence semiotics, politics, and the individual's ability to manage their own existence.
Perversion and Egoism
Following the 2008 financial crisis, Dufour examined the intersection of economic liberalism and pornography in his study of a perverted society. He suggests that contemporary culture has adopted absolute egoism as a primary principle, conflating the economic theories of Adam Smith with the unrestrained hedonism described by the Marquis de Sade. This development represents a departure from earlier moral orders that prioritized the mastery of internal drives.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947
- Nationality: France
- Primary Occupation: Philosopher
- Academic Institution: University of Paris-VIII
- Fields of Study: Language philosophy, political philosophy, psychoanalysis
- Notable Publication: L'art de réduire les têtes
- Notable Publication: Le Divin Marché, la révolution culturelle libérale
- Notable Publication: La cité perverse – libéralisme et pornographie
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Dufour's philosophical work?
He specializes in symbolic processes, specifically désymbolisation, alongside language and political philosophy.
How does he define the Grand Subject?
It is an abstract symbol that replaces the leader of the flock, representing various symbolic powers throughout history.
What is his view on the modern liberal market?
He characterizes it as a religion that prioritizes self-regarding actions and unchecked passions over classical self-mastery.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Paris
