Walter Benjamin and the Idea of Natural History

Eli Friedlander's book explores Walter Benjamin's corpus, showing how he questions how humans belong to nature. It progresses from his fundamental writings on language and nature to his Goethean empiricism, discussing the idea of natural history and its impact on art, law, body, material culture, and technology. It offers new readings of Benjamin's major works, revealing his internal coherence and philosophical force.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In his groundbreaking new work, Eli Friedlander delves into the profound and enduring philosophical inquiry that permeates Walter Benjamin's entire corpus, spanning from his early to late writings. Through a meticulous examination of seemingly diverse texts, Friedlander establishes a compelling argument that Benjamin consistently explores the essence of what it means for humans to belong to nature. This exploration encompasses the transformation, realization, redemption, and transcendence of nature within human existence. The book unfolds gradually, moving from Benjamin's philosophically foundational writings on language and nature to his Goethean empiricism, from the presentation of ideas to the primal history of the Paris arcades. Friedlander's meticulous analysis unveils how the concept of natural history shapes Benjamin's understanding of art and its critique, his diagnosis of the mythical violence inherent in legal systems, his account of the body and its movements, the material culture and technology, as well as his distinctive vision of historical materialism.

Featuring insightful new readings of Benjamin's major works that offer distinct perspectives, sometimes dramatically diverging from prevailing interpretations, this book unveils the internal coherence and philosophical depth of Benjamin's thought. It serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and continues to inspire scholars and thinkers alike.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503637702