Lu Xun's Affirmative Biopolitics: Nothingness and the Power of Self-Transcendence

This book explores Lu Xun's affirmative biopolitics through a naturalistic conception of culture in the context of the biological turn of modernity, highlighting the deep connection between his thinking and Chinese tradition's correlative thinking. It is an essential read for scholars and students interested in Lu Xun, modern Chinese intellectual history, comparative studies of Chinese and Western thought, and affirmative biopolitics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into an extraordinary instance of affirmative biopolitics by examining the life and thought of Lu Xun (1881–1936), the most prominent cultural figure of modern China. It departs from the traditional Enlightenment-humanist framework commonly used to interpret Lu Xun and instead presents his thinking as shaped by a naturalistic conception of culture, which finds its most appropriate context within the global framework of what Foucault refers to as the biological turn of modernity. In contrast to ontologically-grounded modern Western theories of life, this book highlights the profound connection between Lu Xun's affirmative biopolitics and the epistemic ground of Chinese tradition, known as correlative thinking. Through meticulous close readings of literary texts alongside a theoretical exploration of broader cultural issues, this book serves as a vital resource for scholars and students interested in Lu Xun, modern Chinese intellectual history, comparative studies of Chinese and Western thought, and the intriguing realm of affirmative biopolitics.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032133768