Morality, Violence, and Ritual Circumcision: Writing with Blood

This book uses the Jewish ritual of circumcision to explore the relationship between violence and morality,challenging the binary logic that dominates popular debates on the topic. It argues that in some instances,violence can be a productive experience and can thus be considered beyond 'good' and 'bad'. The author proposes a framework of violence of ontology,which is related to existence and resists definition through binary oppositions. Circumcision is seen as a form of generative violence that is leveraged for cultural purposes and inherent in the making of bodies. This volume appeals to scholars of sociology,social theory,and religion with interests in the sociology of the body,ritual,and cultural studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate relationship between entrenched moral discourses and acts of violence, utilizing the Jewish ritual of circumcision as a lens for exploration. By examining the intersection of violence and morality, it challenges the conventional binary logic that underpins popular debates on circumcision. The author rejects the notion that violence is always inherently bad and instead proposes that in certain contexts, it can be a productive experience and thus be considered beyond the simplistic dichotomy of "good" and "bad."

Drawing upon the insights of Jacques Derrida, the author develops a framework of "violence of ontology," which is characterized as a violence that is deeply intertwined with existence and resists definition through binary oppositions. Through this lens, the author argues that circumcision is not merely a medical procedure but rather a form of generative violence that is leveraged for cultural purposes and inherent in the making of bodies.

This volume offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between bodies, identities, ethics, and violence. It will appeal to scholars of sociology, social theory, and religion with interests in the sociology of the body, ritual, and cultural studies. By challenging the boundaries of conventional thinking and offering a fresh perspective on the complex dynamics of violence, this book contributes to our understanding of the world and the ways in which we navigate it.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367551957