Autotranscendence and Creative Organization: On Self-Creation and Self-Organization

In: Thesis eleven: critical theory and historical sociology, Heft 88, S. 55-75

Abstract

This article discusses the issue of social & cultural 'autotranscendence' -- self-production, creativity -- in the debates on self-organization. The point of departure is Cornelius Castoriadis's idea of 'self-creation'. First, a schisma between mechanical & ontological modeling is indicated & used to introduce the idea of a 'creative organization'. This is further discussed in relation to Jean-Pierre Dupuy's concept of social 'autotranscendence' by 'complex methodological individualism', with particular respect to the incomprehension of the social. Following Johann P. Arnason's treatment of the question of cultural articulation in Castoriadis, the article argues that the problem of autotranscendence presents a further problem of self-creation discernible in Castoriadis's notions of phusis/nomos, living being/human, & constraint/magma. The article closes with a consideration of Duncan Watts, Alberto-Laszlo Barabasi & Bernardo Huberman's sketch of a network sociology. References. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications and Thesis Eleven Co-op Ltd, copyright 2007.]