Another Finitude: Messianic Vitalism and Philosophy Contributor(s): Bielik-Robson, Agata (Author), Bradley, Arthur (Editor), Dillon, Michael (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1350094072 ISBN-13: 9781350094079 Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic OUR PRICE: $148.50 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: May 2019 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Philosophy | Metaphysics - Philosophy | Religious - Social Science | Jewish Studies |
Series: Political Theologies |
Physical Information: 0.8" H x 6.2" W x 9.3" (1.30 lbs) 312 pages |
Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - Jewish - Religious Orientation - Jewish |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Beginning from the notion of finite life, Another Finitude takes this staple subject from post-Heideggerian philosophy and opposes it to the onto-theological concept of infinity, represented by an eternal absolute. Although critical of Heidegger and his definition of finitude as 'being-towards-death', this book does not revert to the ontological idea of infinity secured in the sacred image of immortality. But it also does not want to give up on infinity altogether; the infinite is transposed, so it can become a necessary moment of the finite life. A theological framework for the new elaboration of the concept of finitude is crucial; but instead of following the Lutheran formula, Agata Bielik-Robson turns to the sources of Judaism. Taking inspiration from the Jewish idea of torat hayim, the principle of finite life, which found the best expression in the biblical sentence: love strong as death; love emerges as the alternative marker of finitude, allowing to us redefine it in an affirmative way. By tracing the avatars of love in the group of 20th-century thinkers, or 'messianic vitalists'-Benjamin, Rosenzweig, Arendt, Derrida, and (deeply revised) Freud-the book attempts to demonstrate the possibility of such affirmation. Love becomes the new 'infinite-in-the-finite'; love in all its forms, from the original libidinal endowment of the human psyche to the last metamorphoses of agape, the Greco-Christian divine love. |