The word plasticity spans crystallization of form and annihilation of form

Evidence

‘Plastic’ on its own is an explosive material with a nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose base that can set off violent detonations. The plasticity of the word itself draws it to extremes, both to those concrete shapes in which form is crystallized (sculpture) and to the annihilation of all form (the bomb). — Catherine Malabou, The Future of Hegel, 227

Categorization

• DEFINE: Recalls the book’s argument that ‘plasticity’ is a ‘speculative word’ holding contradictory senses — including the explosive sense so central to Malabou’s whole project.
• XREF: Connects to the reading purpose: the plastic split between passive receptivity (sculpture) and violent agency (bomb) is the very binary Anidjar’s plasticity claim interrogates. — connects to: Plasticity names both malleability and the power to give form — Catherine Malabou, The Future of Hegel: Plasticity,…, 1310