In this important new book, the leading philosopher Fran ois Laruelle examines the role of intellectuals in our societies today, specifically with regards to criminal justice. He argues that, rather than concerning themselves with abstract philosophical notions like justice, truth and violence, intellectuals should focus on the human victims. Drawing on his influential theory of non-philosophy , he shows how we can submit the theorizing of intellectuals to the scrutiny of the everyday suffering of the victims of crime. In the course of a wide-ranging discussion with Philippe Petit, Laruelle suspends the presumed authority of intellectuals by challenging the image of the dominant intellectual exemplified by philosophers such as Sartre, Foucault, Lyotard and Debray. In place of domination, he puts forward instead a theory of determination : the determined intellectual is one whose character is conditioned by his relationship to the victim, rather than one who attempts to dominate the victim s experience through a process of theorizing. While philosophy consistently takes the voice away from victims of suffering, non-philosophy is able to construct a theory of violence and crime that gives voice to the victim. This highly original book will be essential reading for all those interested in contemporary French philosophy and all those concerned with justice in the modern world.

In this important new book, the leading philosopherFrançois Laruelle examines the role of intellectuals in oursocieties today, specifically with regards to criminal justice. Heargues that, rather than concerning themselves with abstractphilosophical notions like justice, truth and violenceintellectuals should focus on the human victims. Drawing on hisinfluential theory of 'non-philosophy', he shows how wecan submit the theorizing of intellectuals to the scrutiny of theeveryday suffering of the victims of crime.In the course of a wide-ranging discussion with Philippe PetitLaruelle suspends the presumed authority of intellectuals bychallenging the image of the 'dominant intellectual'exemplified by philosophers such as Sartre, Foucault, Lyotard andDebray. In place of domination, he puts forward instead a theory of'determination': the determined intellectual is onewhose character is conditioned by his relationship to the victimrather than one who attempts to dominate the victim'sexperience through a process of theorizing. While philosophyconsistently takes the voice away from victims of sufferingnon-philosophy is able to construct a theory of violence and crimethat gives voice to the victim.This highly original book will be essential reading for allthose interested in contemporary French philosophy and all thoseconcerned with justice in the modern world.

Translator's PrefaceInterviewer's PrefacePrologueThe Name-of-Man or the Identity of the RealPortrait of the Dominant IntellectualThe Victim and the Understanding of CrimeThe Practice of the Determined IntellectualCriminal History and the Demand for Justice