Dalton's work focuses on the concept of the absolute. In ethics, Dalton argues that the pursuit of an absolute good inevitably leads to evil. Nevertheless, Dalton argues, one should not give up on the idea of absolutes entirely. Instead, Dalton promotes "ethical resistance," as the proper way of relating to any given absolute. In metaphysics, Dalton argues for the idea of a "naturalized absolute" drawn by extension of the conclusions of contemporary scientific research. Dalton also champions "ethical pessimism," as the best response to what he calls the "absolute unbecoming of existence," which he claims is testified to in the contemporary scientific account of nature.
Suspicion of the Absolute Good: Dalton argues that the idea of a perfect, absolute good can lead to ethical problems and even evil if it is not related to properly. He refers to this idea as the "tyranny of the absolute."[5] To make his case, Dalton uses examples from social and political history to demonstrate how concepts of the absolute good have been used to justify oppressive systems globally.
Ethics of Resistance: Instead of seeking to affirm any absolute good, Dalton proposes developing an "ethics of resistance," which "resists" any given concept of the absolute good.[6] For Dalton, ethical action is grounded in recognizing and resisting the allure of the absolute, wherever and however it appears.
Metaphysics of Decay: Dalton argues that the only epistemologically valid source for philosophical absolutes is the mathematical and scientific study of matter. It is from this alone, he claims, that metaphysical absolutes can be developed. Following this logic, Dalton proposes a "metaphysics of decay," which he bases on the "thermodynamic revolution" in the contemporary material sciences.[7] By speculatively extending the conclusions of the contemporary sciences, Dalton argues that one "natural absolute" that can be asserted is the idea of entropy which is defined in the second law of thermodynamics. From this he develops an account of being as something which is "unbecoming."[8]
Ethical Pessimism: In relation to what he calls the "absolute unbecoming of existence," Dalton embraces "ethical pessimism," as an normative system.[9] In "ethical pessimism," Dalton argues, one can ground ethical action and political engagement so long as goodness is conceived of negatively (per his "ethics of resistance").[10]
Influence of Phenomenology: Dalton's work heavily draws from phenomenological philosophy,[11] particularly the ideas of Emmanuel Levinas,[12][13] who he often uses as a foil to frame his conception of the importance of resisting the absolute in order to be ethically responsible.[14]
Influence of Speculative Realism: Dalton argues that the best way to consider questions of the absolute is through a mode of speculative naturalism. In this regard, his work complements and draws from other contemporary speculative realists like Quentin Meillassoux and Ray Brassier. Unlike these two, however, Dalton argues that these speculative projects need not be at odds with phenomenology, but can be used together to develop a "speculative phenomenological" approach to reality.[15]
Focus on Social and Political Issues: Dalton's philosophical ideas are often applied to contemporary social and political issues, analyzing how the pursuit of absolute ideals can contribute to oppression and injustice; and, alternatively, how a proper relation to the idea of the absolute can ground anew social and political activism.[16]
Books
Longing for the Other: Levinas and Metaphysical Desire (Duquesne University Press, 2009)[17][18][19][20]
The Ethics of Resistance: Tyranny of the Absolute (Bloomsbury, 2018)[21][22][23][24]
The Matter of Evil: From Speculative Realism to Ethical Pessimism (Northwestern University Press, 2023)[25]
References
^"Drew Dalton". Department of English. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
