Plane of Consistency

From Capitalism and Schizophrenia

[edit] also Planomenon

The plane of consistency (or the plane of immanence) is everywhere at once, univocal but differential, that is, composed of differential relations of becoming. It may help to conceive of it as a virtual plane where abstract machines can perform freely, as a Body without Organs, without being slowed down or held up by stratifications.

In this context consistency is never to be understood as the constant reproduction of sameness, but more like the consistency of a certain style in which an author can write a multitude of quite different books (ATPC xiv, “Translator’s foreword”). It is related to the level of freedom an abstract machine has to perform within. The abstract machine namely has two modes of existence: One that is manifested in the unity of composition of an actual body; and one that is virtual, on a plane of consistency where there is no strata (Ecumenon) to restrict its movements. (ATPC 62, 81)

However, Deleuze and Guattari points out the importance of not perceiving strata and the plane of consistency as a dualism, as being in opposition of each other:

The strata themselves are animated and defined by relative speeds of deterritorializaiton;
moreover, absolute deterritorialization is there from the beginning, and the strata are spin-offs,
thickenings on a plane of consistency that is everywhere, always primary and always immanent.
(ATPC 78)

See also plan(e) of organization.

[edit] External links

Wikipedia-entry on "Plane of immanence"