Alain Badiou is one of the leading philosophers in the world today. His ground-breaking philosophy is based on a creative reading of set theory, offering a new understanding of what it means to be human by promoting an "intelligence of change". Badiou's philosophical system makes our capacity for revolution and novelty central to who we are, and develops an ethical position that aims to make us less anxious about this very capacity.
This book presents a comprehensive and engaging account of Badiou's philosophy, including an in-depth discussion of The Theory of the Subject, Being and Event and Logics of Worlds. In a clear and careful analysis, Ed Pluth considers exactly how Badiou's theoretical "anti-humanism" is linked up to what is, for all intents and purposes, a practical humanism. Central to this is an account of Badiou's theory of the subject, and his attempt to develop an "ethic of truths". The role of set theory, Marxism, and Lacanian psychoanalysis in Badiou's philosophy is also given close attention.
This book will be of interest to students and scholars of philosophy, as well as to all those keen to develop a critical understanding of one of the most controversial and important thinkers of the twentieth century.

Ed Pluth is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at California State University.

Guide to Abbreviations of Badiou's Publications vi

Introduction 1

1 Badiou's Philosophical Background 17

2 Being and Event 29

3 Situations and Events 48

4 Logics of Worlds 67

5 Infi nity and Truth 85

6 Badiou's Theories of the Subject 104

7 Ethics and Affects 128

8 Politics 154

Conclusion 175

Select Bibliography 186

Index 188