On Hellenism, Judaism, Individualism, and Early Christian Theories of the Subject

Jodra's two-volume work provides a new understanding of Western subjectivity as theorized in the Augustinian Rule, arguing that the self and the other are mutually inclusive forces and that the Classical and Late-Ancient communitarian practices along the Mediterranean provide historical proof of this worldview. Volume one restores the unity of the Hellenistic and Judaic world as found by the first Christians, and volume two presents his solution in full as an Augustinian communitarianism for today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This groundbreaking two-volume work offers a fresh perspective on Western subjectivity, as envisioned in the Augustinian Rule. A profound synthesis of ancient politics, the Rule stands as a modest yet profoundly influential exemplar of the production of subjectivity. Within these volumes, Jodra makes the compelling argument that the communal practices prevalent along the Mediterranean during the Classical and Late-Ancient periods provide tangible historical evidence of a worldview where the self and the other are not separate entities, but rather mutually inclusive forces. The Augustinian Rule represents the culmination of this transformative process, marking the dawn of a new era: the paradigm of the monastic self as the central protagonist of the emerging medieval worldview.

In this inaugural volume, Jodra delves into the origins of one of the most influential and pervasive common experiments—Augustine's Rule—and uncovers its Mediterranean backdrop. With a keen eye toward unraveling the enigma of socialism, he endeavors to provide a definitive solution. In the subsequent volume, Jodra will present his comprehensive solution in full, offering a contemporary interpretation of Augustinian communitarianism for our modern times.

By restoring the unity of the Hellenistic and Judaic world as envisioned by the early Christians, these volumes definitively demonstrate that the self and the other are indispensable components in the construction of our world. This transformative exploration of Western subjectivity offers a profound and thought-provoking journey, shedding light on the intricate interplay between individual and collective identities and paving the way for a renewed understanding of our shared humanity.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 138 x 214 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350303409