Philosophy privileges contemplation. Theory privileges action and practice
Theory tells us that we are merely mortal, material organisms – and that we have little time at our disposal. We cannot waste our time in contemplation.
Theory not only wants us to believe that we are primarily finite, living bodies, but also demands that we demonstrate this belief. Under the regime of theory, it is not enough to live: One must also demonstrate that one lives, one must perform being alive.
The enlightenment taught us
to distrust the gaze of the Other – to suspect others
And theory taught us not to trust ourselves or the evidence of our own reason . In this sense, every performance of a theory is at the same time a performance of the distrust of theory.