Impossible objects are those about which the philosopher, narrowly conceived, can hardly speak: poetry, film, music, humor. Such "objects" do not rely on philosophy for interpretation and understanding; they are already independent practices and sites of sensuous meaning production. As Elvis Costello has said, "writing about music is like dancing about architecture." We don't need literary theory in order to be riveted by the poem, nor a critic's analysis to enjoy a film. How then can philosophy speak about anything outside of itself, namely all of those things which actually matter to us in this world?
Simon Critchley is Hans Jonas Professor at the New School for Social Research in New York and part-time Professor of Philosophy at Tilburg University.
Carl Cederström is Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Cardiff University.
Todd Kesselman is PhD Candidate at New School for Social Research.