The Gift of Death, Second Edition & Literature in Secret (Religion and Postmodernism) by Jacques Derrida

The Gift of Death, Jacques Derridas most sustained consideration of religion, explores questions first introduced in his bookGiven Timeabout the limits of the rational and responsible that one reaches in granting or accepting death, whether by sacrifice, murder, execution, or suicide. Derrida analyzes Czech philosopher Jan PatockasHeretical Essays in the Philosophy of Historyand develops and compares his ideas to the works of Heidegger, Lvinas, and Kierkegaard. One of Derridas major works,The Gift of Deathresonates with much of his earlier writing, and this highly anticipated second edition is greatly enhanced by David Willss updated translation. nbsp; This new edition also features the first-ever English translation of Derridasnbsp;Literature in Secret. In it, Derrida continues his discussion of the sacrifice of Isaac, which leads to bracing meditations on secrecy, forgiveness, literature, and democracy. He also offers a reading of KafkasLetter to His Fatherand uses the story of the flood in Genesisnbsp;as annbsp;embarkation pointnbsp;for a consideration of divine sovereignty. nbsp; An important contribution to the critical study of ethics that commends itself to philosophers, social scientists, scholars of religion . . . [and those] made curious by the controversy that so often attends Derrida.Booklist, on the first edition

Author: Jacques Derrida

Language: English

Edition: 2

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 160

Publisher: University Of Chicago Press

Publication Date: 2007-10-01