Synopses & Reviews
The idea for
Philosophy in a Time of Terror was born hours after the attacks on 9/11 and was realized just weeks later when Giovanna Borradori sat down with Jürgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida in New York City, in separate interviews, to evaluate the significance of the most destructive terrorist act ever perpetrated. This book marks an unprecedented encounter between two of the most influential thinkers of our age as here, for the first time, Habermas and Derrida overcome their mutual antagonism and agree to appear side by side. As the two philosophers disassemble and reassemble what we think we know about terrorism, they break from the familiar social and political rhetoric increasingly polarized between good and evil. In this process, we watch two of the greatest intellects of the century at work.
"Philosophy in a Time of Terror reminds us that the most constructive response to 9/11 may simply be to recognize the event as an opportunity to ask the decisive questions about ourselves and our place in the world."--Gregory Fried, Village Voice
Review
"If you want final answers, Borradori's interviews will be a disappointment. But the book reminds us that the most constructive response to 9-11 may simply be to recognize the event as an opportunity to ask the decisive questions about ourselves and our place in the world....Such is the useful uselessness of philosophy." Gregory Fried, Village Voice
Review
"These men represent two central strands of European philosophy the one building on Enlightenment notions of universal rationality, the other suspicious of the commitments often hidden in its language....This is a book without jargon or technicalities that should have a place in all large collections." Library Journal
Synopsis
Just weeks following the events of September 11th, Vassar philosophy professor Borradori sat down in separate interviews with two of the most influential thinkers of the modern age, who evaluated the significance of the most destructive terrorist attack ever perpetuated.
Synopsis
The idea for Philosophy in a Time of Terror was born hours after the attacks on 9/11 and was realized just weeks later when Giovanna Borradori sat down with Jürgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida in New York City, in separate interviews, to evaluate the significance of the most destructive terrorist act ever perpetrated. This book marks an unprecedented encounter between two of the most influential thinkers of our age as here, for the first time, Habermas and Derrida overcome their mutual antagonism and agree to appear side by side. As the two philosophers disassemble and reassemble what we think we know about terrorism, they break from the familiar social and political rhetoric increasingly polarized between good and evil. In this process, we watch two of the greatest intellects of the century at work.
About the Author
Giovanna Borradori is an associate professor of philosophy at Vassar College. She is the author of The American Philosopher: Conversations with Quine, Davidson, Putnam, Nozick, Danto, Rorty, Cavell, MacIntyre, Kuhn, published by the University of Chicago Press, and the editor of Recoding Metaphysics: The New Italian Philosophy.
Series Description
The dialogue with Jürgen Habermas took place in December 2001. It was translated from the German by Luis Guzman and revised by Jürgen Habermas in English.
The dialogue with with Jacques Derrida took place on October 22, 2001. It was translated from the French by Pascale-Anne Brault and Michael Naas and revised by Jacques Derrida in French.
Table of Contents
Preface
Philosophy in a Time of Terror
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Terrorism and the Legacy of the Enlightenment—Habermas and Derrida
Part One
Fundamentalism and Terror—A Dialogue with Jürgen Habermas
Reconstructing Terrorism—Habermas
Part Two
Autoimmunity: Real and Symbolic Suicides—A Dialogue with Jacques Derrida
Deconstructing Terrorism—Derrida