Friday, February 04, 2005
(10:59 AM) | Adam Kotsko:
Book Recommendations
I am trying to keep on the absolute bleeding edge of continental thought during my all-too-brief respite from the pressures of classwork (set to end Monday). Two of these books I have already read; the last, I am currently reading. I think you should all read them without delay and that you should order them by clicking my links. Forgive me if the choices seem a little "obvious" -- I'm trying to cultivate a more "indie" approach to philosophy, but it's hard work. It's hard work.Georgio Agamben, State of Exception
I really do think Agamben is going to be the next Foucault (rather than the next Derrida, as I said at first).
Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended
Very helpful for those who wondered why volume 1 of History of Sexualitydidn't talk much about sex (for instance, where are fisting, cum-shots, etc.). I wish they would release the next volume of the lectures, but apparently this is going to be yet another Wittgenstein-type thing, where they just let the books trickle out gradually, each one touted as simultaneously the best possible introduction to Foucault and the work that is going to completely change the face of Foucault scholarship.
Jacques Derrida, Rogues: Two Essays on Reason
The strangest thing about reading this book is that in his discussion of matters that are at the forefront of the contemporary debate, Derrida's style seems to be a little anachronistic, as though the moment for that has passed -- and it would be easy to allow that to distract one from the fact that he is asking (a) a lot of the right questions that (b) no one else seems to be asking. He was at the height of his powers up until the very end.
I'm considering making this a weekly feature, along with the confessional. Perhaps a different day of the week would be better. I've made about $5.00 off the Amazon thing so far ("so far" equalling "over the past three months"), and I see great things over the horizon.
