Description
The Quadruple Object
Book Summary
In The Quadruple Object, philosopher Graham Harman proposes a bold renewal of metaphysics for the 21st century. Drawing on the phenomenology of Husserl and Heidegger, the author develops a flat ontology that transcends traditional philosophical anthropocentrism. Harman grants individual objects full ontological dignity, presenting them not as mere passive entities, but as acting realities with internal dynamism. Through a quadruple scheme, the book unveils the tensions and polarizations that define the existence of all things—human and non-human, real and fictional—on the same level of reality.
What is it about?
Graham Harman radicalizes classical phenomenology to build a new metaphysics that challenges the philosophical tradition from Plato to Derrida. The book argues that an object is not simply a physical thing present to human consciousness, but an acting reality whose behavior emerges from internal tensions. Harman proposes a quadruple scheme that allows for understanding the dynamism of objects, moving away from reducing them to their mere perception or use. His flat ontology places all objects on the same ontological plane, whether they are human, non-human, real, or fictional, asserting their autonomy and complexity beyond their relationship with human beings.
Main Themes
- Flat ontology and speculative realism.
- Critique of philosophical anthropocentrism and overcoming the phenomenological tradition.
- Metaphysics of the object and its internal dynamism (quadruple scheme).
- Relationship between real objects and sensual objects.
- Philosophy of aesthetics and metaphysics as tools for understanding reality.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals of philosophy interested in contemporary metaphysics, phenomenology, and speculative realism. It will also be of great value to readers with a background in literary theory, aesthetics, and social sciences who are seeking an innovative theoretical framework to think about reality beyond the human subject. A certain familiarity with the thought of Husserl and Heidegger is required to fully grasp its arguments.
What this book provides
- A clear and systematic introduction to object-oriented ontology, one of the most influential philosophical currents of the 21st century.
- An original conceptual framework to overcome anthropocentrism and rethink the relationship between the human being and the world.
- Theoretical tools to analyze the autonomy and dynamism of all types of objects, from physical to fictional ones.
- A refreshing reading of Husserl and Heidegger that leads to a powerful and original metaphysical proposal.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Harman, Graham
- Publisher: Anthropos Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Literary essays, Philosophy, Western philosophy, c. 1900-, Phenomenology and existentialism, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Philosophy: aesthetics, Politics and government
- Series: PHILOSOPHY
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: September 2016
- Number of pages: 160
- Weight: 210 g
Editorial Review
The Quadruple Object is a fundamental work for understanding the speculative turn in contemporary philosophy. Graham Harman succeeds in clearly expounding a complex and provocative metaphysics, offering a solid alternative to subject-centered thought. His proposal for a flat ontology and his analysis of the internal dynamism of objects make it a reference text for those seeking philosophical tools to address reality in all its diversity, beyond the limitations of anthropocentrism. It is an essential read for specialists and a stimulating challenge for any reader interested in the frontiers of current thought.