With a central focus on themes of ethics and subjectivity, this analysis pairs Maurice Blanchot's creativity with Emmanuel Levinas's philosophies across topics of friendship, the opposition of speech to writing, and the ethical role of language.

Without Maurice Blanchot, literary theory as we know it today would have been unthinkable. Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man, Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze: all are key theorists crucially influenced by Blanchot's work.
This accessible guide:
* works 'idea by idea' through Blanchot's writings, anchoring them in historical and intellectual contexts
* examines Blanchot's understanding of literature, death, ethics and politics and the relationship between these themes
* unravels even Blanchot's most complex ideas for the beginner
* sketches the lasting impact of Blanchot's work on the field of critical theory.
For those trying to come to grips with contemporary literary theory and modern French thought, the best advice is to start at the beginning: begin with Blanchot, and begin with this guide.


Related link: www.literature.routledge.com/literature/r ct/default.html

Everything you need to know about Heidegger's Being and Time in one volume. Being and Time is one of the most important publications in phenomenology of the twentieth century which has had a direct influence on not only many different philosophers, but also artists, writers and film makers. This book appeals to first-time readers of Heidegger and is free of technical jargon. Readers will be taken through Being and Time section by section, meaning it can be read alongside the main text.

Emmanuel Levinas' Totality and Infinity is a monumental work of phenomenological enquiry that goes on to assert the centrality of ethics to philosophical thought. This Reader's Guide provides a detailed explanation of the work, breaking down the occasionally intimidating but always inspirational content of Totality and Infinity for non-specialist readers, unpacking the complexities of Levinas' thought with clarity and rigour. Ideal for students coming to Levinas for the first time, the book offers essential guidance, outlining key themes, approaches to reading the text, the reception, and influence of the work, and recommends secondary reading materials.

Emmanuel Levinas' Totality and Infinity is a monumental work of phenomenological enquiry that goes on to assert the centrality of ethics to philosophical thought. This Reader's Guide provides a detailed explanation of the work, breaking down the occasionally intimidating but always inspirational content of Totality and Infinity for non-specialist readers, unpacking the complexities of Levinas' thought with clarity and rigour. Ideal for students coming to Levinas for the first time, the book offers essential guidance, outlining key themes, approaches to reading the text, the reception, and influence of the work, and recommends secondary reading materials.

The books in this series are specifically written for students reading philosophy for the first time. Focussing on passages most frequently taught at university level, each book is a step-by-step guide to help you read the key texts from the history of philosophy with confidence and perception. Each book offers: a summary of the text; an overview of its key ideas; historical context; and, a guide to further reading and study. Being and Time is one of the most important publications in phenomenology of the twentieth century. It has had a direct influence on not only many different philosophers, but also on artists, writers and film makers. This book appeals to first-time readers of Heidegger and is free of technical jargon. Readers will be taken through Being and Time section by section, meaning that this work can be read alongside the main text.

Without Maurice Blanchot, literary theory as we know it today would have been unthinkable. Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man, Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze: all are key theorists crucially influenced by Blanchot's work.
This accessible guide:
* works 'idea by idea' through Blanchot's writings, anchoring them in historical and intellectual contexts
* examines Blanchot's understanding of literature, death, ethics and politics and the relationship between these themes
* unravels even Blanchot's most complex ideas for the beginner
* sketches the lasting impact of Blanchot's work on the field of critical theory.
For those trying to come to grips with contemporary literary theory and modern French thought, the best advice is to start at the beginning: begin with Blanchot, and begin with this guide.


Related link: www.literature.routledge.com/literature/r ct/default.html