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Capitalism and Schizophrenia

work by Deleuze and Guattari

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Capitalism and Schizophrenia is a two-volume work by French philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Pierre-Félix Guattari. The first volume, Anti-Oedipus (1972), critiques traditional psychoanalysis, arguing that concepts like the Oedipus complex are used to suppress human desire and maintain the capitalist system. The authors propose that schizophrenia can be seen as a form of rebellion against this system.12

The second volume, A Thousand Plateaus (1980), explores concepts of "deterritorialization" and "nomadology," challenging fixed ideas of identity and truth. They criticize Western metaphysics as "state philosophy". The work advocates for "molecular revolutions" and draws inspiration from marginalized groups.12

Critics of capitalism, such as Karl Marx, have pointed to its inherent instability, tendency towards monopolies, and potential for social harms like inequality and worker exploitation.34

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