Objective Fictions presents an innovative exploration into the interconnections between objectivity and fiction within contemporary philosophy. Edited by Adrian Johnston, Boštjan Nedoh, and Alenka Zupančič, this collection challenges entrenched dichotomies of realism versus nominalism by introducing the concept of ‘objective fictions’. These are not merely subjective constructs or illusions but are integral components that structure our objective reality.
At the heart of this philosophical endeavour is a critical examination of how various forms of fiction—such as fetishes, semblances, lies, rumours, sophistry, fantasies, and conspiracy theories—intersect with our understanding of truth and objectivity. Rather than seeing fiction as opposed to reality, the contributors argue that these ‘objective fictions’ paradoxically reveal deep-seated truths about the complexities of our social and psychological landscapes.
The volume traces the historical roots of the realism-nominalism divide from Bentham through Marx to Lacan. It sets out to dismantle the assumption that objectivity and fiction are diametrically opposed. Instead, it proposes that fictions play a dual role: they not only reflect subjective perceptions but also actively shape and structure our objective reality. Drawing on insights from Marxist critique, psychoanalytic theory, and contemporary continental philosophy, the editors argue that these ‘objective fictions’ are indispensable for understanding the underlying contradictions and paradoxes inherent in modern societies.
The essays within the collection further elaborate on these themes, each contributing a unique perspective on how objective reality is constituted through various fictions. Slavoj Žižek, in his chapter on Marx’s Theory of Fictions, elucidates how capitalist relations are structured by fictitious beliefs and ideological constructs that conceal underlying social antagonisms. Boštjan Nedoh explores the notion of surplus value through Lacanian concepts, drawing parallels between economic abstraction and visual distortions (anamorphosis). Adrian Johnston examines Lacan’s critique of capitalism, arguing that veils of illusion and fantasy are not mere distractions but essential mechanisms that sustain capitalist exploitation.
Contributors such as Samo Tomšič, Cara S. Greene, and Mladen Dolar delve into diverse topics including the genesis of false dichotomies, Nietzsche’s critique of objectivity, and the role of rumours and gossip in shaping public discourse. Each essay contributes to a broader narrative that challenges conventional philosophical boundaries and reinvigorates discussions about the nature of truth, subjectivity, and objectivity.
What emerges from Objective Fictions is a nuanced understanding of how fictions—far from being marginal or illusory—constitute the very fabric of our social and economic realities. By embracing the paradoxical nature of ‘objective fictions’, the volume offers a fresh perspective on the ongoing debates in philosophy, psychoanalysis, and Marxist theory. It calls for a reevaluation of traditional categories and invites readers to reconsider the ways in which subjective beliefs and objective realities combine to shape our understanding of the world.
Simon Gros 
Leave a comment