Agamben, an Eulogy to Impotence

Abstract

The conception of Supreme potency in Giorgio Agamben is analyzed in this research paper. This mode of potency implies power and impotence indiscernibly. In this world where we are destined to do everything that we can, radical resistance would manifest itself as the possibility of displaying the power of not going to the act. Agamben’s proposal is based on Aristotle to criticize a conception of potency that is destined to be consummated on the act. On the contrary, for Aristotle the potency is not only not consumed in the act, but intrinsically inhabits it by impotence. Opening an area of indiscernibility between operability and inoperancy, would be one of the ways by which a radical critique would go to the conception of Being as a complete essence.