Cain's Act

The article discusses the book "A Night in Gethsemane" by Massimo Recalcati, which explores the theme of violence and morality through the story of Cain and Abel. Recalcati argues that the root of fear and violence in society is not love for others, but delusions of self-sufficiency and individual perfection. He suggests that true completeness can only be achieved through others, and that the lesson of Cain resonates powerfully in our time. The book has received praise for its lively and sharp writing, as well as its invitation to look positively at the loneliness of human experience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

"Recalcati delves into the core of human existence, posing a profound and thought-provoking question: can we truly believe in love? This essay, as relevant as it is insightful, employs psychoanalysis to examine Cain's murderous act, revealing the underlying delusions of self-sufficiency and individual perfection that fuel fear and violence within societies. It emphasizes that true completeness can only be attained through others, challenging the notion of individual perfection. Recalcati's work receives high praise, with reviewers describing it as "a book that stays with you forever" and "an invitation to look positively at the loneliness of human experience.""

Weight: 224g
Dimension: 143 x 216 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787703971