Description
The Open: Man and Animal. Agamben’s analysis spans a wide range of sources, from ancient Greek, Christian, and Jewish texts to twentieth-century thinkers such as Heidegger, Benjamin, and Kojève. What exactly is man?. Through this extensive investigation, Agamben reveals how the distinction between man and animal has been manufactured by the logical presuppositions of Western thought. The end of human history is an event that has been foreseen or announced by both messianic traditions and dialectical philosophies. This thought-provoking work invites readers to question the very nature of humanity and its place in the world. Who is the protagonist of this impending or ongoing conclusion? What exactly is man? How did he come into existence, and how has he maintained his privileged status as the master of, or first among, animals? In *The Open*, contemporary Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben explores these fundamental questions by examining how the concept of the "human" has been historically constructed. He considers whether humans are viewed as a distinct and superior type of animal or as beings fundamentally different from animals altogether. Agamben’s analysis spans a wide range of sources, from ancient Greek, Christian, and Jewish texts to twentieth-century thinkers such as Heidegger, Benjamin, and Kojève. Through this extensive investigation, Agamben reveals how the distinction between man and animal has been manufactured by the logical presuppositions of Western thought. He delves into the profound implications of this distinction across various disciplines, including philosophy, law, anthropology, medicine, and politics. His work challenges us to reconsider long-held assumptions about human identity and our relationship with the animal world, making *The Open* a compelling and essential read for those interested in the philosophical foundations of human existence. Brand : Stanford University Press Author : Giorgio Agamben Title : ABISBOOK Genre : Philosophy Series Title : Meridian: Crossing Aesthetics Format : Paperback Language : English Publication Date : 2003