The Film-Phil Lisbon Seminars: Jakob A. Nilsson

The second Film-Phil Lisbon Seminar (2023-2024) will be led by Jakob A. Nilsson (Örebro University, Sweden) who will talk about “Cinecepts: On the Articulation of Philosophical Concepts Through Audiovisual Media”. The session will be held on December 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM (Lisbon time).

Abstract

As the spread of knowledge and even theory becomes an increasingly audiovisual affair, how can philosophy adapt in ways that develop — rather than dilute — philosophical rigor and specificity? How can philosophy harness the potential of audiovisual media — being more formally multidimensional than text-only — to conceptualize with greater precision and depth? In the recently published Cinecepts, Deleuze, and Godard-Miéville: Developing Philosophy through Audiovisual Media (Edinburgh University Press, 2023), I present a new theory of formal development of philosophy in this regard: a theory of cinecepts. I form this theory mainly through a close reimagination of the work of Gilles Deleuze — spanning his conceptions of philosophy, cinema, art, politics, and novelty — that allows for a merging of what he kept separated: filmic thinking and philosophical conceptualization. Jean-Luc Godard & Anne-Marie Miéville’s underexplored 1970s video works are also the subject of extensive examination, along with critical considerations of a contemporary era of academic video essays and phenomena like philosophy channels on YouTube. In this talk I outline this theory of cinecepts and talk about some of its contexts and implications.

Attendants are encouraged, although this is not necessary to follow the talk, to read as much of the book as possible in advance. Those registered for the event can get access to the preface and the introduction. The book can be ordered here. (Please use the launch discount code NEW30 for 30%.)

Bio

Jakob A. Nilsson is Assistant Professor of Film Studies at Örebro University. He is the author of Cinecepts, Deleuze, and Godard-Miéville. Developing Philosophy through Audiovisual Media (Edinburgh University Press, 2023). Nilsson has published articles and chapters on related topics most recently in the anthology Contemporary Screen Ethics; Journal of Aesthetics & Culture; Journal of French and Francophone Philosophy; Cinema. Journal of Philosophy and Moving Image; Cinema & Cie. International Film Studies Journal; and Theory, Culture & Society. He is also the co-editor, with Sven-Olov Wallenstein, of the anthology Foucault, Biopolitics, and Governmentality (2013).

Note that this lecture will be held uniquely online. Please, register in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.