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Hierarchy and preference

Hierarchy and preference

By Peter Leithart

Challenging Cunningham’s suggestion, against Deleuze, that without some hierarchy of goods, there is no way to determine preferences, even for something as basic as diet, Kenneth Surin cited a bumper sticker: The top line says, “I love animals,” and the second “They’re delicious.” This, he claimed, was simply an expression of preference that didn’t require any sort of hierarchy.

Cunningham responded by citing a (hopefully fictional) bumper sticker of his his own: Top line, “I love people,” and the second “They’re delicious.” He then challenged Surin to explain how on Deleuzean, purely immanent, terms this isn’t just a tolerable expression of preference.

Peter Leithart

Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.

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Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.