Negative Certainties

Jean-Luc Marion's groundbreaking philosophy of human uncertainty challenges the assumption of knowledge as positive and proposes that our uncertainty, finitude, and rational limitations are one of the few things we can be certain about. He applies this "negative certainty" to four aporias, including the definition of man, the nature of God, the unconditionality of the gift, and the unpredictability of events. This work of epistemological inquiry will take a central place in Marion's oeuvre.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In his groundbreaking philosophy of human uncertainty, Jean-Luc Marion delves into the depths of our understanding and challenges the very foundations of knowledge that have been established for centuries. In his book "Negative Certainties," Marion takes a bold stance, questioning the conventional notions of knowledge as categorical, predicative, and positive. Instead, he looks towards our finite nature and the limitations of our reason, seeking to uncover a new perspective on knowledge.

Marion begins by examining the assumption that knowledge is inherently positive, a notion that has been deeply ingrained in our thinking since the time of Descartes, Kant, and Heidegger. He argues that this assumption leads to a reductive epistemology that disregards immeasurable or disorderly phenomena, rendering them irrelevant to our understanding of the world. In contrast, Marion posits that our uncertainty, finitude, and rational limitations are, in fact, one of the few things we can be certain about.

Through his profound inquiry, Marion demonstrates how the assumption of knowledge as positive demands a reductive epistemology that disregards the richness and complexity of our experiences. He shows that we have daily experiences that have no identifiable causes or predictable reasons, yet these experiences constitute a very real knowledge—a knowledge of the limits of what can be known. By establishing this "negative certainty," Marion applies it to four aporias, or issues of certain uncertainty: the definition of man, the nature of God, the unconditionality of the gift, and the unpredictability of events.

In his meticulous translation of "Negative Certainties" into English, Marion brings his ideas to a wider audience, ensuring that his invigorating work of epistemological inquiry will take a central place in his oeuvre. This book is a testament to Marion's intellectual prowess and his commitment to exploring the boundaries of human knowledge. It challenges us to reevaluate our assumptions and opens up new avenues for understanding the world around us.

In conclusion, Jean-Luc Marion's "Negative Certainties" is a groundbreaking work of philosophy that delves into the depths of human uncertainty and challenges the very foundations of knowledge that have been established for centuries. Through his profound inquiry, Marion demonstrates that our uncertainty, finitude, and rational limitations are, in fact, one of the few things we can be certain about. By establishing this "negative certainty," he applies it to four aporias, or issues of certain uncertainty, and opens up new avenues for understanding the world around us. This book is a testament to Marion's intellectual prowess and his commitment to exploring the boundaries of human knowledge.

Weight: 399g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226829487