Bearing Witness to Epiphany: Persons, Things, and the Nature of Erotic Life

by John Russon

Makes the novel argument that erotic life is the real sphere of human freedom.

In this probing sequel to the popular and award-winning Human Experience , John Russon asks, “What is it to be a person?” The the key to our humanity lies in our sexuality, where we experience the freedom to shape identities creatively in cooperation with another. With grace and philosophical rigor, Russon shows that an exploration of sexuality not only illuminates the psychological dimensions of our interpersonal lives but also provides the basis for a new approach to ethics and politics. Responsibilities toward others, he contends, develop alongside our personal growth. Bearing Witness to Epiphany brings to light the essential relationship between ethical and political bonds and the development of our powers of expression, leading to a substantial study of the nature and role of art in human life.

“ Bearing Witness to Epiphany is another beautifully written book by John Russon, a companion to his excellent Human Experience . While continental philosophy has relentlessly deconstructed the classical form of the philosophy book, Russon has revived this form in a most compelling way. Russon’s writing is so lucid, that the book seems to read itself. More importantly, like Human Experience , Bearing Witness to Epiphany is the expression of profound thinking. This book should make it clear to everyone that John Russon is one of the few original voices working in continental philosophy today.” — Leonard Lawlor, coeditor of The Merleau-Ponty Reader

Genres: Philosophy

166 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

John Russon is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. He is author of Human Experience: Philosophy, Neurosis, and the Elements of Everyday Life.

Reviews

[Keelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core theme of this book, viz. personal transformation, is explained powerfully but it is a bit repetitive at times.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially a companion volume to Russon's Human Experience, it suffers somewhat for not having been incorporated into that volume. While as with its companion work there are various interesting insights to be had, without Human Experience the arguments feel incomplete and lacking.