This book addresses the genealogy and consequences of nihilism, attempts at 'sociologizing' the concept of nihilism by relating nihilism to capitalism, post-politics and terrorism, and considers the possibilities of overcoming nihilism.
Zusammenfassung
Most significant problems of contemporary life have their origins in nihilism and its paradoxical logic, which is simultaneously destructive to and constitutive of society. Yet, in social theory, nihilism is a surprisingly under-researched topic. This book develops a systematic account of nihilism in its four main forms: escapism, radical nihilism, passive nihilism and 'perfect nihilism.' It focuses especially on the disjunctive synthesis between passive nihilism (the negation of the will) and radical nihilism (the will to negation), between the hedonism/disorientation that characterizes the contemporary post-political culture and the emerging forms of despair and violence as a reaction to it.The book deals with nihilism at three levels. First, it addresses the genealogy and consequences of nihilism, which is followed by an excursus through film analysis. Then the book focuses on the 'social,' relating nihilism to capitalism, post-politics and terrorism. Another excursus fleshes out the theoretical argumens by focusing on Houellebecq's fiction. Finally, the possibilities of overcoming nihilism are considered by emphasizing the significance of concepts such as event, agonism and antagonism in this context.
Inhalt
1. Introduction: Much ado about nothing 2. The uncanny guest 3. Nihilism and the 'social': Capitalism, post-politics and terror 4. The agonistic city 5. Afterword
Titel
Nihilism
Autor
EAN
9781134055838
ISBN
978-1-134-05583-8
Format
E-Book (pdf)
Hersteller
Herausgeber
Veröffentlichung
28.11.2008
Digitaler Kopierschutz
Adobe-DRM
Dateigrösse
1.27 MB
Anzahl Seiten
200
Jahr
2008
Untertitel
Englisch
Unerwartete Verzögerung
Ups, ein Fehler ist aufgetreten. Bitte versuchen Sie es später noch einmal.