Cornelius Castoriadis’ sociohistorical world ontology. The problem of social imaginary significations’ site

Abstract

This article has two mail goals. The first one, to present a synthesis of the main characteristics of Castoriadis’ sociohistorical world ontology. In other words, to expose the "theory of society" of the Greek French philosopher and its central concepts (imagination, radical creation, instituted world or creation limits). The second is to problematize some of the key elements of this proposal, particularly the notion of social imaginary significations. Through a reflection on the idea of the site of significations, a proposal will be presented for the extension of the Castorian ontology that will allow the organic inclusion in its interior of the whole of the material world (metabolisms and technical assets). This will provide the reader with a tool for analysing the sociohistorical world, which may be the starting point for an entire programme of specific sociohistorical researchs.