This critical introduction explores the philosophy of Giorgio Agamben, offering a thorough and contemporary analysis tailored for an interdisciplinary readership. It delves into Agamben's key concepts and themes, making complex ideas accessible to a diverse audience. The book serves as a valuable resource for understanding Agamben's influence across various fields, providing insights into his philosophical contributions and their relevance in today's discourse.
A Critical Introduction to Logics of Worlds
Expanding on the themes from Being and Event, this work delves into the complexities of existence and meaning through a theory of worlds. Despite its frequent misinterpretation, William Watkin's critical analysis positions it as a vital text for understanding Badiou's philosophy. He argues that it is essential for those exploring radical change and the nature of existence, making it a significant contribution to contemporary thought.
Aylan, Isis, Begum, Grenfell, Trump. Harambe, Guantanamo, Syria, Brexit, Johnson. COVID, migrants, trolling, George Floyd, Trump! Gazing over the fractured, contested territories of the current global situation, Watkin finds that all these diverse happenings have one element in common. They occur when biopolitical states, in trying to manage and protect the life rights of their citizens, habitually end up committing acts of coercion or disregard against the very people they have promised to protect. When states tasked with making us live find themselves letting us die, then they are practitioners of a particular kind of force that Watkin calls bioviolence. This book explores and exposes the many aspects of contemporary biopower and neglect, exclusion, surveillance, regulation, encampment, trolling, fake news, terrorism and war. As it does so, it demonstrates that the very term ‘violence’ is a discursive construct, an effect of language, made real by our behaviours, embodied by our institutions and disseminated by our technologies. In short, bioviolence is how the contemporary powers that be make us do what they want. Resolutely interdisciplinary, this book is suitable for all scholars, students and general readers in the fields of IR, political theory, philosophy, the humanities, sociology and journalism.