The Point of View of the Cosmos:Deleuze, Romanticism, Stoicism

Abstract

Throughout his works, but in particular in those with Félix Guattari, Gilles
Deleuze can be seen to propose a practical or ethical philosophical project
that it is tempting to describe as ‘a return to nature’ or as ‘living according
to nature’.1

Unfortunately phrases such as these are often difficult to
define. In order to understand exactly what they might mean to Deleuze
and Guattari a helpful way to proceed might be to consider the sources of
inspiration that lie behind their project. Of the various influences that can
be discerned, central is that of German Romanticism. The philosophical
fragments of Friedrich Schlegel are a prime example of the Romantic
project of ‘following nature’ and thus may serve as an illustrative case.
Yet both Deleuze and Schlegel locate the inspiration for their projects in
Stoicism. For reasons that will become clear the Meditations of Marcus
Aurelius offer themselves as an ideal example of the Stoic philosophical
project, not merely for exploring the prehistory of Deleuze and Guattari’s
own project but also for proposing how it might proceed.