On the Brink: Language, Time, History, and Politics

Werner Hamacher

On the Brink: Language, Time, History, and Politics
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Rowman & Littlefield
Country
United States
Published
24 August 2020
Pages
242
ISBN
9781786603920

On the Brink: Language, Time, History, and Politics

Werner Hamacher

As its title suggests, this collections of essays by one of the foremost theorists working today takes as its theme the edge or limit between language, time, history, and politics. These are essays that are all on the brink, about the edge, the very extreme at which one can no longer say where one is located, neither on the cliff, say, nor over the edge. To be on the brink, then, is to take up that extreme limit, the point of contamination or indetermination where language, time, history, and politics all converge upon one another.

The book begins with a consideration of Kant’s treatment of time as representation, before moving toward more explicitly political themes as it engages political theology and messianism in Hegel and Hoelderlin. The second section explores the questionof language in a variety of manifestations-from translation to complaint and greeting-and through a number of literary and cultural forms, from the work of Mallarme to email. The volume concludes with an interview in which Hamacher offers a revealing overview of his work, beginning with an account of his early writings and moving up to his most recent essays.

Order online and we’ll ship when available

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.