Defining the Event

Abstract

The article focuses on Jean-François Lyotard’s reading of the notion of “historical sign” (Begebenheit) formulated by Immanuel Kant in his Conflict of Faculties. Begebenheit, being an indication of humanity’s progress, is fortuitous with respect to historical time. Moreover, it coincides with the ‘mode of thinking’ of the spectators of the French revolution and is marked by enthusiasm, a modality of the feeling of the sublime. It is thus nothing other than ‘sensus communis’, a rule awaiting its universality. As such, it furnishes an as-if presentation of the Idea of civil society right where it cannot be presented, i.e., in experience.