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stankovic, sasa thesis.pdf - Atrium - University of Guelph

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contemplation, whether it is not in itself contemplation, and whether we can learn, form<br />

behaviour and form ourselves other than through contemplation” (DR 73). The passive self does<br />

not contemplate. The passive self is contemplation. “There is a self wherever a furtive<br />

contemplation has been established whenever a contracting machine capable <strong>of</strong> drawing a<br />

difference from repetition functions somewhere. The self does not undergo modifications, it is<br />

itself a modification – this term designating precisely the difference drawn” (DR 78-9). And<br />

contemplation is nothing other than the passive syn<strong>thesis</strong> <strong>of</strong> time.<br />

Contemplation constitutes time as the living present. For this reason, there are as many<br />

living presents as there are contemplations. “All our rhythms, our reserves, our reaction times,<br />

the thousand intertwinings, the presents and fatigues <strong>of</strong> which we are composed, are defined on<br />

the basis <strong>of</strong> our contemplations. The rule is that one cannot go faster than one’s own present – or<br />

rather, one’s presents” (DR 77). Nevertheless, Deleuze does not think that an eternal living<br />

present is possible. “We could no doubt conceive <strong>of</strong> a perpetual present, a present which is<br />

coextensive with time: it would be sufficient to consider contemplation applied to the infinite<br />

succession <strong>of</strong> instants. But such a present is not physically possible” (DR 76). In other words, no<br />

contemplation constitutes time as the perpetual living present. No matter how long or how short<br />

a contemplation is, it always has to stop contemplating, otherwise eternal living present would<br />

have to be possible. In this sense, Deleuze argues, contemplation does not just constitute time as<br />

the living present. Instead, contemplation constitutes time as the living present that passes.<br />

“Although it is originary, the first syn<strong>thesis</strong> <strong>of</strong> time is no less intratemporal. It constitutes time as<br />

present, but a present which passes” (DR 79). The problem with contemplation, Deleuze argues,<br />

is that it does not explain how the living present passes. “By insisting upon the finitude <strong>of</strong><br />

contraction, we have shown the effect; we have by no means shown why the present passes, or<br />

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