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The Beast and the Sovereign #2
The Beast and the Sovereign, Volume II
The Beast and the Sovereign, Volume II is the latest entry in the University of Chicago Press’s ambitious series of translations of Jacques Derrida’s previously unpublished written lectures. Picking up where the previous volume left off, Volume II extends Derrida’s exploration of the fascinating connections between animality and human sovereignty.
In the second part of this seminar, originally presented in 2002–3, Derrida focuses on what at first appear to be two markedly different texts: Heidegger’s The Fundamental Concepts of Metaphysics and Daniel Defoe’s classic novel Robinson Crusoe. Shuttling back and forth between the two works, Derrida investigates a number of key concepts and provides ingenious interpretations of both texts. Sovereignty remains his primary concern as he reflects on the political history of the dominion of humans over animals in Defoe’s England and on diverse readings of Robinson Crusoe through the centuries and, in particular, from Heidegger’s Germany in the 1930s. Solitude provides another connection between the two books as Derrida links the indivisible uniqueness of a king with Crusoe’s solitary plight.
Both consolidating and broadening Derrida’s deconstructive critique of sovereignty, The Beast and the Sovereign, Volume II is a rich repast, offering everything from striking insights into Heidegger’s use of language to surprising digressions that reveal the contours of a lively intellect deeply engaged with the world.
In the second part of this seminar, originally presented in 2002–3, Derrida focuses on what at first appear to be two markedly different texts: Heidegger’s The Fundamental Concepts of Metaphysics and Daniel Defoe’s classic novel Robinson Crusoe. Shuttling back and forth between the two works, Derrida investigates a number of key concepts and provides ingenious interpretations of both texts. Sovereignty remains his primary concern as he reflects on the political history of the dominion of humans over animals in Defoe’s England and on diverse readings of Robinson Crusoe through the centuries and, in particular, from Heidegger’s Germany in the 1930s. Solitude provides another connection between the two books as Derrida links the indivisible uniqueness of a king with Crusoe’s solitary plight.
Both consolidating and broadening Derrida’s deconstructive critique of sovereignty, The Beast and the Sovereign, Volume II is a rich repast, offering everything from striking insights into Heidegger’s use of language to surprising digressions that reveal the contours of a lively intellect deeply engaged with the world.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Jacques Derrida
650 books1,797 followersJacques Derrida was a French philosopher best known for developing deconstruction, a method of critical analysis that questioned the stability of meaning in language, texts, and Western metaphysical thought. Born in Algeria, he studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he was influenced by philosophers such as Heidegger, Husserl, and Levinas. His groundbreaking works, including Of Grammatology (1967), Writing and Difference (1967), and Speech and Phenomena (1967), positioned him at the center of intellectual debates on language, meaning, and interpretation.
Derrida argued that Western philosophy was structured around binary oppositions—such as speech over writing, presence over absence, or reason over emotion—that falsely privileged one term over the other. He introduced the concept of différance, which suggests that meaning is constantly deferred and never fully present, destabilizing the idea of fixed truth. His work engaged with a wide range of disciplines, including literature, psychoanalysis, political theory, and law, challenging conventional ways of thinking and interpretation.
Throughout his career, Derrida continued to explore ethical and political questions, particularly in works such as Specters of Marx (1993) and The Politics of Friendship (1994), which addressed democracy, justice, and responsibility. He held academic positions at institutions such as the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and the University of California, Irvine, and remained an influential figure in both European and American intellectual circles. Despite criticism for his complex writing style and abstract concepts, Derrida’s ideas have left a lasting impact on contemporary philosophy, literary theory, and cultural criticism, reshaping the way meaning and language are understood in the modern world.
Derrida argued that Western philosophy was structured around binary oppositions—such as speech over writing, presence over absence, or reason over emotion—that falsely privileged one term over the other. He introduced the concept of différance, which suggests that meaning is constantly deferred and never fully present, destabilizing the idea of fixed truth. His work engaged with a wide range of disciplines, including literature, psychoanalysis, political theory, and law, challenging conventional ways of thinking and interpretation.
Throughout his career, Derrida continued to explore ethical and political questions, particularly in works such as Specters of Marx (1993) and The Politics of Friendship (1994), which addressed democracy, justice, and responsibility. He held academic positions at institutions such as the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and the University of California, Irvine, and remained an influential figure in both European and American intellectual circles. Despite criticism for his complex writing style and abstract concepts, Derrida’s ideas have left a lasting impact on contemporary philosophy, literary theory, and cultural criticism, reshaping the way meaning and language are understood in the modern world.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 26, 2012
A decently interesting read, but not for the faint of heart. And definitely not for the non-metaphorical of heart.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews