The Step Back: Ethics and Politics after Deconstruction (SUNY Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy)

This original contribution to the ethical and political significance of philosophy addresses a number of major themesidentity, violence, the erotic, freedom, responsibility, religious belief, globalizationand critically engages with the work of Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Derrida, and Levinas. It promotes a unique blend of deconstructive critique and a certain English skepticism, leading to the affirmation of a negative capabilitya patience and vigilance in the face of both human folly and philosophy's own homegrown pathologies. The author argues for the extension of our sense of openness and responsibility to animal life, and indeed life in general, and not just to the human. Author Biography: David Wood is Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. His many books include Thinking after Heidegger. This original contribution to the ethical and political significance of philosophy addresses a number of major themes-identity, violence, the erotic, freedom, responsibility, religious belief, globalization-and critically engages with the work of Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Derrida, and Levinas. It promotes a unique blend of deconstructive critique and a certain English skepticism, leading to the affirmation of a negative capability-a patience and vigilance in the face of both human folly and philosophy's own homegrown pathologies. The author argues for the extension of our sense of openness and responsibility to animal life, and indeed life in general, and not just to the human. Book jacket Explores the ethical and political possibilities of philosophy after deconstruction.