Is Souriau Also Among the Sophists?

Whether viewed as unduly complex or necessarily ornate, Étienne Souriau’s written style accents the importance of placing artistic form in conversation with intellectual content. In seeking to better understand advocacy for a philosophy instauration – process through which an existence gains existential formality this essay examines how aesthetic tropes and devices order ontological meaning. First, it links Barbara Cassin’s case sophistical practice advocation multiplicity. The then reads 1956 “Of Mode Existence Work To-Be-Made” adjacent work consciously rhetorical profoundly attempts recruit others his philosophical commitments. This account further discerns array (e.g. chiasmus) that function not merely adorn description but rather experience work-to-be-made. Attending turns language contributing reality raises questions responsibility, so essay’s reconsiders philosophy’s long-standing charge sophistic irresponsibility alongside skewing agency choice instauration. concludes by considering implications central concepts filtered incidental aesthetics be responsible promoting lesser existences across multiple modes.