To Carl Schmitt: Letters and Reflections (Insurrections: Critical Studies in Religion, Politics, and Culture)

A philosopher, rabbi, religious historian, and Gnostic, Jacob Taubes was for many years a correspondent and interlocutor of Carl Schmitt (1888--1985), a German jurist, philosopher, political theorist, law professor -- and self-professed Nazi. Despite their unlikely association, Taubes and Schmitt shared an abiding interest in the fundamental problems of political theology, believing the great challenges of modern political theory were ancient in pedigree and, in many cases, anticipated the works of Judeo-Christian eschatologists. In this collection of Taubes's writings on Schmitt, which includes decades of letters exchanged between them, the two intellectuals explore ideas of the apocalypse and other central concepts of political theology. Taubes acknowledges Schmitt's reservations about the weakness of liberal democracy yet distances himself from his prescription to rectify it, arguing the apocalyptic worldview requires less of a rigid hierarchical social ordering than a community committed to the importance of decision making. In these writings, a sharper and more nuanced portrait of Schmitt's thought emerges, as well as a more complicated understanding of Taubes, who has shaped the work of Giorgio Agamben, Peter Sloterdijk, and other major twentieth-century theorists. A Philosopher, Rabbi, Religious Historian, And Gnostic, Jacob Taubes Was For Many Years A Correspondent And Interlocutor Of Carl Schmitt (1888-1985), A German Jurist, Philosopher, Political Theorist, Law Professor--and Self-professed Nazi. Despite Their Unlikely Association, Taubes And Schmitt Shared An Abiding Interest In The Fundamental Problems Of Political Theology, Believing The Great Challenges Of Modern Political Theory Were Ancient In Pedigree And, In Many Cases, Anticipated The Works Of Judeo-christian Eschatologists. In This Collection Of Taubes's Writings On Schmitt, The Two Intellectuals Work Through Ideas Of The Apocalypse And Other Central Concepts Of Political Theology. Taubes Acknowledges Schmitt's Reservations About The Weakness Of Liberal Democracy Yet Distances Himself From His Prescription To Rectify It, Arguing The Apocalyptic Worldview Requires Less Of A Rigid Hierarchical Social Ordering Than A Community Committed To The Importance Of Decision Making. In These Writings, A Sharper And More Nuanced Portrait Of Schmitt's Thought Emerges, As Well As A More Complicated Understanding Of Taubes, Who Has Shaped The Work Of Giorgio Agamben, Peter Sloterdijk, And Other Major Twentieth-century Theorists.--publisher's Website. Introduction: A Very Rare Thing / By Michael Grimshaw -- Carl Schmitt: Apocalyptic Prophet Of The Counter-revolution -- Letter To Armin Mohler -- Appendix: Four Passages From Letters Of Carl Schmitt To Armin Mohler -- Letter To Carl Schmitt -- Extract From A Dispute About Carl Schmitt -- 1948-1978: Thirty Years Of Refusal -- Editorial Note / Peter Gente. Jacob Taubes ; Translated By Keith Tribe ; With An Introduction By Mike Grimshaw. Includes Bibliographical References. Overview A philosopher, rabbi, religious historian, and Gnostic, Jacob Taubes was for many years a correspondent and interlocutor of Carl Schmitt (1888-1985), a German jurist, philosopher, political theorist, law professor--and self-professed Nazi. Despite their unlikely association, Taubes and Schmitt shared an abiding interest in the fundamental problems of political theology, believing the great challenges of modern political theory were ancient in pedigree and, in many cases, anticipated the works of Judeo-Christian eschatologists. In this collection of Taubes's writings on Schmitt, the two intellectuals work through ideas of the apocalypse and other central concepts of political theology. Taubes acknowledges Schmitt's reservations about the weakness of liberal democracy yet distances himself from his prescription to rectify it, arguing the apocalyptic worldview requires less of a rigid hierarchical social ordering than a community committed to the importance of decision making. In these writings, a sharper and more nuanced portrait of Schmitt's thought emerges, as well as a more complicated understanding of Taubes, who has shaped the work of Giorgio Agamben, Peter Sloterdijk, and other major twentieth-century theorists. Columbia University Press Contents......Page 8 INTRODUCTION "A Very Rare Thing" | Mike Grimshaw......Page 10 CARL SCHMITT: Apocalyptic Prophet of the Counterrevolution......Page 48 LETTER TO ARMIN MOHLER......Page 66 APPENDIX: Four Passages from Letters of Carl Schmitt to Armin Mohler......Page 72 LETTER TO CARL SCHMITT......Page 74 EXTRACT FROM A DISPUTE ABOUT CARL SCHMITT......Page 80 1948-1978: Thirty Years of Refusal......Page 96 EDITORIAL NOTE | Peter Gente......Page 106 Notes......Page 108