Different Types of Totality  

 

    

Longitudinal:      

 
This refers to a totality that covers an expanse of historical time – it is a periodisation, or a linearity.
  
Expressive:          
Expressive totalities can be historical too – it refers to subject based explanations of contradictory social reality
  
Centred:                
Centred totality can be expressive and historical. By centred it is meant that there distinct point of origin of reality, or locus where it is concentrated. Centred totalities are often vertical hierachies. Both expresive and centred totalities have organic or synthetic unity.
  
De-centred:          
De-centred applies to diffuse and multitple determinations of the totality. Totality is the combination of different layers an orders of semi-autonomous but overdetermined singularities.
  
Closed:             
A closed totality is just a rigid static and simple form of longitudinal expressive or centred totality. This is not really a defined category, but commonly used to describe something as self-contained and impervious.
 The paradox of Finite Totality
Open:                    
Open totality tends to refer to assemblages that have no outer limit, no definition nor barrier to contain them. Open totalitites are potentials.
  
Simple:                  
Simple means that there is no division nor contradiction within the totality.