Agamben's Philosophical Trajectory

Review

Adam Kotsko’s brilliant study provides a chronological and systematic reading of Giorgio Agamben’s writings that allows us to see the evolution of Agamben’s thought over the years, as it responds to the varied historical contexts and philosophical problems uniquely characteristic of his oeuvre. As Kotsko is particularly attuned to the turn from the poetic to the political, he demonstrates subtle nuances often otherwise missed within Agamben’s work, making Agamben’s Philosophical Trajectory a fascinating portrait of the many twists and turns, continuities and discontinuities alike, within his philosophy. This book will most certainly serve as a definitive account of Agamben’s development for years to come., Colby Dickinson, Associate Professor of Theology, Loyola University Chicago


Product Description

Giorgio Agamben has emerged as one of the most perceptive and even prophetic political thinkers of his era. Now that he has completed his career-defining work – the multivolume Homo Sacer series – Adam Kotsko, one of his leading translators, shows how his political concerns emerged and evolved as Agamben responded to contemporary events and new intellectual influences while striving to remain true to his deepest intuitions.
Kotsko reveals the trajectory of Agamben’s work and shows us what it means to practice philosophy as a living, responsive discipline.

From the Inside Flap

How Agamben's thought evolved in response to contemporary political and intellectual events Giorgio Agamben has emerged as one of the most perceptive and even prophetic political thinkers of his era. Now that he has completed his career-defining work - the multivolume Homo Sacer series - Adam Kotsko, one of his leading translators, shows how his political concerns emerged and evolved as Agamben responded to contemporary events and new intellectual influences while striving to remain true to his deepest intuitions. Kotsko reveals the trajectory of Agamben's work and shows us what it means to practice philosophy as a living, responsive discipline. Key Features -Focuses on Agamben's intellectual development -Offers the first study of the complete Homo Sacer series -Takes into account Agamben's recently-published memoir -Addresses the full range of Agamben's thought on linguistics, poetics, politics and theology. Adam Kotsko teaches in the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College, Chicago.

From the Back Cover

How Agamben’s thought evolved in response to contemporary political and intellectual events Giorgio Agamben has emerged as one of the most perceptive and even prophetic political thinkers of his era. Now that he has completed his career-defining work – the multivolume Homo Sacer series – Adam Kotsko, one of his leading translators, shows how his political concerns emerged and evolved as Agamben responded to contemporary events and new intellectual influences while striving to remain true to his deepest intuitions. Kotsko reveals the trajectory of Agamben’s work and shows us what it means to practice philosophy as a living, responsive discipline. Key Features • Focuses on Agamben’s intellectual development • Offers the first study of the complete Homo Sacer series • Takes into account Agamben’s recently-published memoir • Addresses the full range of Agamben’s thought on linguistics, poetics, politics and theology. Adam Kotsko teaches in the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College, Chicago.

About the Author

Adam Kotsko teaches in the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College, Chicago. He is the author of The Prince of This World: The Life and Legacy of the Devil (Stanford University Press, 2016), Creepiness (Zero Books, 2015), Why We Love Sociopaths: A Guide to Late Capitalist Television (Zero Books, 2012), Awkwardness: An Essay (Zero Books, 2010), Politics of Redemption: The Social Logic of Salvation (Continuum, 2010), Zizek and Theology (Continuum, 2008). He is co-author of Agamben’s Coming Philosophy: Finding a