Like many people in America and around the world, Talal Asad
experienced the events of September 11, 2001, largely through the
media and the emotional response of others. For many non-Muslims,
"the suicide bomber" quickly became the icon of "an Islamic culture
of death"& mdash;a conceptual leap that struck Asad as
problematic. Is there a "religiously-motivated terrorism?" If so,
how does it differ from other cruelties? What makes its motivation
"religious"? Where does it stand in relation to other forms of
collective violence?
Drawing on his extensive scholarship in the study of secular and
religious traditions as well as his understanding of social,
political, and anthropological theory and research, Asad questions
Western assumptions regarding death and killing. He scrutinizes the
idea of a "clash of civilizations," the claim that "Islamic
jihadism" is the essence of modern terror, and the arguments put
forward by liberals to justify war in our time. He critically
engages with a range of explanations of suicide terrorism,
exploring many writers' preoccupation with the motives of
perpetrators. In conclusion, Asad examines our emotional response
to suicide (including suicide terrorism) and the horror it
invokes.
"On Suicide Bombing" is an original and provocative analysis
critiquing the work of intellectuals from both the left and the
right. Though fighting evil is an old concept, it has found new and
disturbing expressions in our contemporary "war on terror." For
Asad, it is critical that we remain aware of the forces shaping the
discourse surrounding this mode of violence, and by questioning our
assumptions about morally good and morally evil ways of killing, he
illuminatesthe fragile contradictions that are a part of our modern
subjectivity.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!