Ontological constructivism : Negri and the philosophical foundations of a future communism

As we find in Empire and Multitude, Antonio Negri's political project IS a thoroughly Marxist analysis and critique of global or late capitalism. By modifying and updating Marx's conceptual tools, he is able to provide a clear account of capitalism's processes, its expanding reach, and the revolutionary potential that functions as its motor. By turning to Negri's philosophical works, however, we find that this political analysis is founded on a series of concepts and theoretical positions. This paper attempts to clarify this theoretical foundation, highlighting in particular what I term "ontological constructivism" - Negri's radical reworking of traditional ontology. Opposing the long history of transcendence in epistemology and metaphysics (one that stretches from Plato to Kant), this reworked ontological perspective positions individuals - not god or some other transcendent source - as the primary agents responsible for molding the ontological landscape. Combined with his understanding of kairos (subjective, immeasurable time), ontological constructivism lays the groundwork for opposing transcendence and rethinking contemporary politics.

An Epic Poem, The Norton House

A poem by J.W. Keating, Poet Laureate of the Norton House, C. Sherwood Book and Job Printer, St. Catharines, March 3, 1886. There is a note on the front page which says "see page 11". There is a section of the poem which is marked. The poem first mentions Annie Conolly, who studied at Loretto in Niagara, then mentions Annie Wallace [this name is underlined], "who here did once sojourn with Nanna and Leslie".