The ethics of the real

This chapter responds to Marc De Kesel’s “The real of ethics.” While agreeing with much of De Kesel’s argument, the chapter argues that the “ethics of sublimation” and “ethics of the real” need not be posed as mutually exclusive options but, rather, intersect in productive ways. More specifically, the chapter suggests that it is by elevating the object of desire to the level of the Thing (das Ding) that we find the courage to engage in rebellious acts that seek to overcome oppressive social forces.