This chapter explores Catherine Malabou’s concept of plasticity, situating it within contemporary theoretical biology and philosophy. Plasticity is examined as a dual process of giving and receiving form, which challenges traditional oppositions between canalisation and flexibility. The chapter argues that plasticity is not merely a passive response to environmental changes but an active, organisational principle that enables organisms to self-determine through habit formation. By integrating Malabou’s ideas with scientific perspectives, the analysis highlights the dialectical interplay between stability and transformation, emphasising how organisms maintain viability through continuous, albeit constrained, change. The discussion also introduces the notion of explosive plasticity, where radical ruptures reconfigure the space of possibilities, underscoring the inherent unpredictability in biological systems. Furthermore, the chapter critiques reductionist views in neuroscience, advocating for an ecological understanding of plasticity as a distributed, multi-level phenomenon. Ultimately, plasticity is framed as a generative and destructive force, central to the dynamic, historical nature of living systems. The chapter concludes by linking these insights to broader debates in evolutionary theory and cognitive science, positioning plasticity as a key concept for rethinking agency and organisation in biology.