The sensation of truth: The concept of art in Badiou and Deleuze

Alain Badiou and Gilles Deleuze offer a distinctive perspective on art and philosophy. While Badiou regards art as a vehicle for truth, Deleuze interprets it as a synthesis of perception and affect. Both thinkers transcend the traditional notions of sensory pleasure or representational means and consider art as a central element of creative thought. Badiou's truth-oriented approach frames art as a paradigm of human emancipation, whereas Deleuze emphasizes art's capacity to transcend current experiences and expand possibilities. The creation of concepts holds a pivotal role for both philosophers in terms of questioning and disrupting the existing order. Badiou and Deleuze critique the weakening of contemporary philosophy by market dynamics and communication tools, highlighting its loss of critical essence. They advocate that philosophy should be more than an analytical tool; it must serve as an intellectual practice that reinterprets existing reality and establishes points of resistance. Drawing inspiration from Critical Theory figures like Max Horkheimer and Theodor W. Adorno, they underline the necessity for philosophy to challenge the automated functioning of the prevailing order and offer alternative perspectives. Anti-philosophy emerges as a prominent theme in Badiou and Deleuze's critiques of traditional philosophical concepts. Influenced by thinkers such as Wittgenstein and Lacan, anti-philosophy aims to disrupt intellectual representations and academic authorities, prioritizing original modes of thought rooted in individual experiences. This approach seeks to liberate philosophy from its rigid structures and transform it into a vibrant intellectual creation. Both thinkers approach philosophy as the art of concept creation and a liberatory practice. While Deleuze defines philosophy as the creation of concepts, Badiou focuses on its capacity to confront and transform the existing order. The creative application of philosophy should open new modes of thought and domains of freedom for individuals and society. Badiou and Deleuze advocate for philosophy to maintain a critical distance from the world, becoming an intervention that disrupts established patterns. Consequently, philosophy assumes a transformative role both in artistic and social contexts. Key Words: Alain Badiou; Gilles Deleuze; Philosophy of Art; Truth; Perception; Desire.