Growing Appetites and Hungry Subjects: Addicts, the Undead, and the Long Arc of Theory in Western Social Science

Abstract This paper explores the Western philosophical idea of “appetites” through lens “addiction.” I begin with a brief ethnographic description woman whose subjectivity seems to emerge only in play her unmanageable desire for various pharmaceuticals. In other words, she is self-described “addict.” then look at relationships between addicts and undead, especially vampires zombies, who are seemingly enslaved their appetites. leads me an analysis centrality what am calling “recursive need satisfaction” much (especially Anglophone Francophone) Social Theory that, argue, relies on particular understanding “appetite” establishing political-economic that lies heart market-oriented state. same also pushes this formation specific historical direction increasing growth organisational technological complexity. As globalised society last few decades has become ever more anxious its place world, impact interdependent systems, validity grand récits served as charter, such complexity have emerged objects anxiety, even apocalyptic fear, terms “addict” “addiction” seemed useful modelling these concerns. end some reflections how we use both zombies think issues unchecked damaging consumption.