Paul Virilio

Routledge Critical Thinkers

by Ian James

Paul Virilio is a challenging and original thinker whose work on technology, state power and war is increasingly relevant today. Exploring Virilio's main texts from their political and historical contexts, and case studies from contemporary culture and media in order to explain his philosophical concepts, Ian James introduces the key themes in Virlio's work, As technological and scientific innovations continue to set the agenda for the present and future development of culture, communications, international economy, military intervention and diverse forms of political organization, Virilio's unique theoretical and critical insights are of enormous value and importance for anyone wishing to understand the nature of modern culture and society.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

139 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2007

Reviews

[Michael A.]

Felt like a good entrance to Virilio's thought. Understanding Virilio's phenomenological intellectual background and personalist political background seems like a good framework to understand how his thought should be seen. There are probably better introductions out there, but if you just need the thrust of his arguments, this would be fine. Ian James is also good in general imo

[Holly Raymond]

I read a little bit of Paul Virilio, some articles and interviews and a few books, and had some big problems with his methodology. I also found that his stance towards biopolitics, while generally pretty well-developed for what it was (despite my own take on it) started to find awfully regressive when it came to sexual emancipation.

This book was very helpful in contextualizing the broad sweep of his arguments and shedding some light on what may appear a little fishy at first glance. Although, neither this nor anything else I've been able to find addresses the disturbing level of hostility or dismissal Virilio (as well as others in his rough circle, including Zizek) hold towards transgendered people.

[Steven Felicelli]

Best monograph (among a handful I've read) on Virilio. Finally feel like I have a handle on his work.