Derrida, Myth and the Impossibility of Philosophy

 
I am pleased to be able to tell you about the latest volume publishing in our Philosophy, Aesthetics and 
Cultural Theory series (edited by Hugh J. Silverman). The book is Derrida, Myth and the Impossibility of Philosophy by Anais N. Spitzer (Prescott College, USA), an examination of Derrida's work on myth and language, offering a postmodern, deconstructive theory of myth. Spitzer provocatively reframes the pivotal relation of myth to thinking and to philosophy, demonstrating that myth's inherent ambiguity engenders vital and inescapable deconstructive propensities. Exploring myth's disruptive presence, Spitzer shows that philosophy cannot separate itself from myth. Instead, myth is an inevitable condition of the possibility of philosophy. The book provides a nuanced account of myth in the postmodern era, not only laying out the deconstructive underpinnings of myth in philosophy and religion, but establishing the very necessity of myth in the study of ideas.

'A compelling study of the intimate, complex, and often unexpected aspects of the relationship between philosophy and myth... Spitzer brings out novel aspects of Derrida’s deconstructive project at certain key points – a project that ends by illustrating in the case of mythos itself the very logic of the excluded other as still remaining within the text, however disguised and disfigured. She demonstrates the fertility of Mark C. Taylor’s later thinking on complexity theory as an essential supplement to Derrida’s work, thereby illustrating the deep affinity of these two otherwise very different thinkers. Most importantly, Spitzer gets us to rethink the very character of philosophy and myth, taken separately and together. This is an eloquent, forceful, and altogether timely contribution in a world in which new myths purport to be unquestionable, while philosophy bides its time in self-absorbed conceptual retreat.' – Edward S. Casey, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, SUNY at Stony Brook, USA; author most recently of The World at a Glance

Comments

[Ousman Njie]

No, I disagree with the statement that says "philosophy cannot be separated from myth" that's what may ruin philosophy. We need to save philosophy from myth and such believe. Just because we do not or cannot understand some philosophers that does not mean that it's a myth. There will always be a difference between not being in aware of the existence of a fact and its actual existence. If I do not know that someone is around beside me that has nothing to do with his/her being around near me.

[Basud]

I am definitely interested to read this book. I am sure it will be an wonderful read. Derrida always influenced me to think that there is a link between myth and philosophy.