Capitalism and the plastic brain: Catherine Malabou’s language of economy

Abstract

The article attempts to show how philosophy can critically and subversively engage with the language of economy to encourage subjectivities unconstrained by the conditions of capitalism. This task has become urgent in the face of problems engendered by the current socio-​­ economic system. Catherine Malabou’s philosophy is discussed in this context as an example of how the concept of economy can be intercepted to oppose the dominant discourse of capitalism. The analysis first focuses on Malabou’s use of the word “economy” and of related notions such as “exchange”, “circulation”, “donation” or “value”. Secondly, Malabou’s direct references to economic discourse are addressed. The article outlines Malabou’s development of Heidegger’s philosophy in terms of “ontological capitalism” as well as her criticism of contemporary capitalism — especially the idea of flexibility, conducted from the perspective of neuroplasticity and the consciousness of the brain. As a result, the discussion suggests an original approach to her later, directly political writings.