Theory Fiction · Experimental Thought · The Portal
Theory Fiction
Experimenting at the intersection of philosophical theory and fictional thought.
Theory Fiction is hosted by Philosophy Portal.
Philosophical Theory Meets Fictional Thought
Philosophical theory, in the classical sense, is often linked to “substance” or “ontology”, both of which aim to categorise and classify an understanding of what is most real. Fictional thought, in the classical sense, is often linked to “subjective imagination” or “pure thinking” that may have a personal and social value, but is often conceived as opposed to what is real or has reality. In this club we seek to dialecticise classical understandings of both philosophical theory and fictional thought, in the sense that philosophical theory is conceived of as in a unity with subjective imagination and pure thinking, and fictional thought is conceived of as relevant to substantial ontologies and implicated in the immanent becoming of reality itself.
Theory Fiction: for the Human, for the Political
Theory Fiction is necessary today, in the context of both the implosion of the classical category of the human being (humanism into post/trans/hyper/in-humanism), and in the context of, not only the loss of the radical emancipatory political imagination in capitalism (the modern dialectic of capitalism/socialism/communism), but also its betrayal (the post-modern dominance of fascism as communisms most intimate symptom). We seek to develop Theory Fiction in order to help us think the human and its implosion into “post/trans/hyper/in-human” signifiers; and also to think capitalist politics, both in the sense of an emancipatory dialectic, as well as in its betrayal.
Theoretical Figures and Subjective Inspirations
Theory Fiction is inspired by the Cartesian philosophical lineage, and the emergence of modern science fiction, we think at the unity of both.
A non-exhaustive list of these inspirations include:
Rene Descartes
Immanuel Kant
Jacques Lacan
Marshall McLuhan
Paul Virilio
Niklas Luhmann
Jean Baudrillard
Frank Hebert
Douglas Adams
Isaac Asimov
Arthur C. Clarke
Phillip K. Dick
An unconventional approach to the future of humanity and politics
In registering for Theory Fiction you will gain access to a year-long process with sessions in two semesters this Winter/Spring and Fall/Winter. Members of The Portal get access to this experimental project as part of membership, but you can also access the project by becoming a paid subscriber to Bryce Nance Patreon (linked below).
Club Host
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Bryce Nance
Theorist, writer, host
Two ways to join the lectures
Members of The Portal get access to all Theology of Desire material, but you can also register independently as a stand-alone offer, giving you access to 8 live sessions in 2027, plus indefinite access to the recordings.
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Purchase as a stand-alone project
Price : paid tier on Bryce Nance substack
Access : Theory Fiction alone
Other circles / courses : -
Couple's deal : -
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Become a Portal member
Price : €50 / month or €500 / year
Access : Theology of Desire + the whole Portal’s content
Other circles / courses : Access to every live event hosted at The Portal (up to 7 per month) and their recordings
The complete Member Courses from 2024, 2025 and 2026 (live)
Philosophy of the Unconscious
What Is Sex?
Deleuze and Analysis
Marxist Politics for Undead Millennials (live)
Zizek Lecture Series (live)
Sex and Society (live)
School of Thinking
New courses and recordings are added continuously.
Couple's deal : 2-for-1 available on request