What is the role of critical theory today and who is it for? What kind of maps can theory provide in the context of entrenched capitalist crisis? These are some of the questions posed by  this Theory in Crisis seminar series.

This talk in the series turns to representation and the category of aesthetic realism. Is there still (if ever there was) a role for realism, as a way of modelling and politically mediating action and its conditions? It will consider some of the shared problems that literary realism and economics have in imagining the real conditions of individual and social action – particularly, in including crisis within the constitution of reality, or in imagining the totality without positing equilibrium as its condition. Specifically, the talk will explore the potential of Zola's writing to illuminate Marx's crisis theory.

Please note that this is a hybrid webinar. This booking page is for in-person attendance. If you would like to participate online, please use the link here.