A Study On Lefebvre’s Thought Of Differential Space

Western Marxist critical theory of space not only reveals the problem of capitalist space,but also seeks the possibility of future space emancipation.For example,Lefebvre’s space of difference,David Harvey’s space of hope,Edward Sawyer’s space justice and other ideas.These theories of spatial liberation show a “concrete utopian”value,which has certain enlightenment value for overcoming problems such as urban spatial dilemma,globalization injustice and virtual space paradox.Lefebvre developed the dialectical imagination of future space from the dimension of the differential society,which has certain reference significance for transcending the spatial form of capitalism.At present,scholars’ research on Lefebvre focuses on the concept of space and the dialectics of space,while the dimension of Lefebvre’s spatial liberation needs to be studied in depth.Based on the integrity of Lefebvre’s thought,this paper analyzes the ideological evolution,basic connotation and realistic path of the space of difference.The first part of the paper examines the theoretical origins and evolution of the idea of difference space.Lefebvre drew on Western spatial sociology,Marx and Engels social spatial thought and its Heidegger and Bashra poetic spatial theory.The idea is intrinsically related to its early critical theory of everyday life and its late theory of rhythm analysis.The critical theory of daily life analyzes the banality of living space and explains the importance of “total man”and the art of living.In the sixties and seventies of the twentieth century,Lefebvre’s thinking about rural society and urban space formally formed the idea of space of difference.At the stage of rhythm analysis theory,the difference of space and the rhythm of time are integrated,and together constitute its theory of space-time revolution.The second part of the paper examines how the space of difference arises in the course of historical changes.Lefebvre analyzed the characteristics of absolute,sacred and historical space in the pre-capitalist period with the help of historical materialism,and then discussed the authoritarianism,capital accumulation and symbolic elements of capitalist abstract space,believing that abstract space is a dominant spatial form with multiple contradictions.In the contradiction of space,there is a space of difference.Lefebvre divided differences into differences of natural nature,differences induced by the system,and differences produced by struggle.The difference space is elaborated on the basis of the third concept of difference.Difference space is a kind of accessible space,emphasizing that the use of space is centered on collective needs rather than the accumulation of capital.The third part of the paper discusses how difference spaces are realized.The premise of the generation of difference space is the production of knowledge of a total dialectical space,the core problem of which is to liberate the body from abstract space.The path is through the union of workers and the right to live in the city.The fourth part of the paper reviews the theoretical value,limitations and practical application of difference space thought.The theoretical value of this idea lies in inheriting historical materialism,endowing space with its social character,seeking the possibility of proletarian revolution in the new capitalist period,and also highlighting the spirit of spatial utopia.Its limitation lies in the fact that taking the body as the core weakens the social material basis for social emancipation and human emancipation,and has the tendency of workers’ autonomy.Difference space has certain significance for thinking about the problem of real space,inspiring us to be people-centered in urban governance,carry out survival-based differentiated teaching,and maintain a cautious attitude towards the capital trap behind the metaverse.