Living with Agamben: The Development of a Contemporary Thinker

Giorgio Agamben's political thought has evolved through his work, responding to contemporary events and intellectual influences while staying true to his deepest intuitions. Adam Kotsko's translation of his Homo Sacer series reveals this trajectory and demonstrates the practice of philosophy as a living, responsive discipline.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Giorgio Agamben, a renowned political thinker of his time, has left an indelible mark on contemporary thought with his groundbreaking work, the multivolume Homo Sacer series. In this comprehensive exploration, Adam Kotsko, one of Agamben's esteemed translators, delves into the evolution of Agamben's political concerns and how they shaped his intellectual journey. Kotsko's insightful analysis reveals the trajectory of Agamben's work, highlighting the importance of philosophy as a living and responsive discipline.

Agamben's political philosophy is characterized by a deep commitment to the study of power and its various manifestations. He challenges traditional notions of sovereignty and explores the ways in which power operates beyond the confines of the state. Agamben's work is often associated with the concept of "bare life," which refers to the state of being that is subjected to the arbitrary and brutal power of the state.

Throughout his career, Agamben responded to contemporary events and new intellectual influences, shaping his political ideas. He was deeply influenced by the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Jacques Derrida, among others. Agamben's approach to philosophy was characterized by a rigorous and analytical style, which sought to uncover the hidden structures and mechanisms of power.

One of Agamben's most significant contributions to political thought is his concept of the "state of exception." The state of exception is a situation in which the normal rules of law and society are suspended, allowing for the exercise of extraordinary power. Agamben argues that the state of exception is inherent to the modern state and is used to justify a wide range of actions, including torture, detention, and war.

Agamben's work has been widely influential in a variety of fields, including philosophy, literature, and art. His ideas have been used to critique the political and economic systems of the modern world, and have been embraced by activists and social justice movements. However, Agamben's work has also been criticized for its apparent pessimism and its tendency to overlook the potential for resistance and change.

Despite these criticisms, Agamben's work remains a vital and important contribution to political thought. His ability to challenge traditional notions of power and to explore the hidden structures of the state has helped to shape our understanding of the world and to inspire new ways of thinking about politics and society.

In conclusion, Giorgio Agamben has emerged as one of the most perceptive and prophetic political thinkers of his era. His multivolume Homo Sacer series has left an indelible mark on contemporary thought, and Adam Kotsko's insightful analysis reveals the trajectory of Agamben's work and its significance for philosophy as a living and responsive discipline. Agamben's commitment to the study of power and his exploration of the state of exception have helped to shape our understanding of the world and to inspire new ways of thinking about politics and society. While his work has been criticized for its apparent pessimism and its tendency to overlook the potential for resistance and change, it remains a vital and important contribution to political thought.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 215 x 138 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474476010