Thinking excess : the radical sociology of Bataille and Baudrillard
This thesis explores the 'theories of Bataille and Baudrillard' in relation to the problem of extreme violence. The particular events of concern are the death of James Bulger, the Dunblane massacre and the 'serial killers' Frederick and Rosemary West. The thesis argues that dominant traditions in the social sciences are unable to engage with the horror of such events with anything approaching adequate terminology and that alternatives are urgently required. The study is theoretical not empirical and these cases act as crucial reference points throughout the theoretical discussions. Such events seem to disable reason and are frequently referred to as 'inexplicable' or 'evil'. They appear to be 'in excess' of the established explanatory paradigms. The thesis investigates the possibility of 'thinking excess' in new and alternative ways, more commensurate with the intensity of such events. The importance of Bataille notions of the sacred, sacrificial expenditure and non-dialectical negativity in approaching changing forms of extreme violence are emphasised. Bataille specifies a fundamental 'need' for violent expenditure or sacrifice that persists in a contemporary age no longer equipped to recognise these principles.
Pawlett, William
Dunblane ; Bulger ; Excess ; West ; Utility ; Limit ; Death ; Sacrifice ; Seduction ; Evil
Thinking excess : the radical sociology of Bataille and Baudrillard. This thesis explores the 'theories of Bataille and Baudrillard' in relation to the problem of extreme violence. The particular events of concern are the death of James Bulger, the Dunblane massacre and the 'serial killers' Frederick and Rosemary West. The thesis argues that dominant traditions in the social sciences are unable to engage with the horror of such events with anything approaching adequate terminology and that alternatives are urgently required. The study is theoretical not empirical and these cases act as crucial reference points throughout the theoretical discussions. Such events seem to disable reason and are frequently referred to as 'inexplicable' or 'evil'. They appear to be 'in excess' of the established explanatory paradigms. The thesis investigates the possibility of 'thinking excess' in new and alternative ways, more commensurate with the intensity of such events. The importance of Bataille notions of the sacred, sacrificial expenditure and non-dialectical negativity in approaching changing forms of extreme violence are emphasised. Bataille specifies a fundamental 'need' for violent expenditure or sacrifice that persists in a contemporary age no longer equipped to recognise these principles.
thinking excess radical sociology explore theories relation problem extreme violence particular event concern death james serial killer west argue dominant traditions social_sciences unable engage event anything approach adequate terminology alternative require study theoretical_empirical case act crucial reference_point throughout theoretical_discussion event seem disable reason frequently refer evil appear excess establish explanatory paradigm investigates possibility thinking excess new alternative_way commensurate intensity event importance notion sacred sacrificial expenditure non dialectical negativity approach change form extreme violence emphasise specifies fundamental need violent expenditure sacrifice persist contemporary age longer equipped recognise principle