Synopses & Reviews
In
The Gift of Death, Jacques Derrida's most sustained consideration of religion to date, he continues to explore questions introduced in
Given Time about the limits of the rational and responsible that one reaches in granting or accepting death, whether by sacrifice, murder, execution, or suicide. Derrida analyzes Patocka's
Heretical Essays on the History of Philosophy and develops and compares his ideas to the works of Heidegger, Levinas, and Kierkegaard.
A major work, The Gift of Death resonates with much of Derrida's earlier writing and will be of interest to scholars in anthropology, philosophy, and literary criticism, along with scholars of ethics and religion.
"The Gift of Death is Derrida's long-awaited deconstruction of the foundations of the project of a philosophical ethics, and it will long be regarded as one of the most significant of his many writings."—Choice
"An important contribution to the critical study of ethics that commends itself to philosophers, social scientists, scholars of relgion . . . [and those] made curious by the controversy that so often attends Derrida."—Booklist
"Derrida stares death in the face in this dense but rewarding inquiry. . . . Provocative."—Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
In The Gift of Death, Jacques Derrida's most sustained consideration of religion to date, he continues to explore questions introduced in Given Time about the limits of the rational and responsible that one reaches in granting or accepting death, whether by sacrifice, murder, execution, or suicide. Derrida analyzes Patocka's Heretical Essays on the History of Philosophy and develops and compares his ideas to the works of Heidegger, Levinas, and Kierkegaard.
A major work, The Gift of Death resonates with much of Derrida's earlier writing and will be of interest to scholars in anthropology, philosophy, and literary criticism, along with scholars of ethics and religion.
The Gift of Death is Derrida's long-awaited deconstruction of the foundations of the project of a philosophical ethics, and it will long be regarded as one of the most significant of his many writings.--Choice
An important contribution to the critical study of ethics that commends itself to philosophers, social scientists, scholars of relgion . . . and those made curious by the controversy that so often attends Derrida.--Booklist
Derrida stares death in the face in this dense but rewarding inquiry. . . . Provocative.--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) was director of studies at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales, Paris, and professor of humanities at the University of California, Irvine. He is the author of many books published by the University of Chicago Press.
Table of Contents
Translator's Preface
1: Secrets of European Responsibility
2: Beyond: Giving for the Taking, Teaching and Learning to Give, Death
3: Whom to Give to (Knowing Not to Know)
4: Tout autre est tout autre