Theory and Philosophy

The Postmodern Explained: Correspondence 1982-1985 The Postmodern Explained Correspondence 1982-1985 Jean-François Lyotard Julian Pefanis and Morgan Thomas, Editors 1992 Fall
An engaging collection of letters written to young philosophers and theorists by the legendary philosopher.
The Fold: Leibniz and the Baroque The Fold Leibniz and the Baroque Gilles Deleuze 1992 Fall
In The Fold, Gilles Deleuze argues that Leibniz’s writings constitute the grounding elements of a Baroque philosophy and of theories for analyzing contemporary arts and science. A model for expression in contemporary aesthetics, the concept of the monad is viewed in terms of folds of space, movement, and time. Similarly, the world is interpreted as a body of infinite folds and surfaces that twist and weave through compressed time and space. According to Deleuze, Leibniz also anticipates contemporary views of event and history as multifaceted combinations of signs in motion and of the “modern” subject as nomadic, always in the process of becoming.
The Semiotics of Passion: From States of Affairs to States of Feelings The Semiotics of Passion From States of Affairs to States of Feelings Algirdas Julien Greimas and Jacques Fontanille 1992 Fall
A thought-provoking investigation of the multifaceted complexity of literary object-semiotics and the various representations of emotions.
The Infinite Conversation The Infinite Conversation Maurice Blanchot 1992 Fall
“Blanchot waits for us still to come, to be read and reread. . . I would say that never as much as today have I pictured him so far ahead of us.” --Jacques Derrida
Stanzas: Word and Phantasm in Western Culture Stanzas Word and Phantasm in Western Culture Giorgio Agamben 1992 Fall
Through rereadings of Freud and Saussure, Agamben proposes a radical reconfiguration of the epistemological foundation of Western culture.
The End of Education: Toward Posthumanism The End of Education Toward Posthumanism William V. Spanos 1992 Fall
“A powerful argument against and brilliant analysis of the liberal humanist project.” --Peter McLaren
Cognitive Models of Science Cognitive Models of Science Ronald N. Giere, Editor 1992 Spring
Delineates the emerging impact the cognitive sciences are having on the content and methods of philosophy.
Travel as Metaphor: From Montaigne to Rousseau Travel as Metaphor From Montaigne to Rousseau Georges Van den Abbeele 1991 Fall
A detailed reading of Montaigne, Descartes, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, underscoring the foundational and potentially liberating force of travel in early modern French philosophy.
The Inoperative Community The Inoperative Community Jean-Luc Nancy Peter Connor, Editor 1991 Spring
Strategies of Deconstruction: Derrida and the Myth of the Voice Strategies of Deconstruction Derrida and the Myth of the Voice J. Claude Evans 1991 Spring
The first detailed critical study of Derrida’s interpretation and critique of Husserl.
The Medieval Monastery The Medieval Monastery Andrew MacLeish, Editor 1991 Spring
Intellectuals: Aesthetics, Politics, Academics Intellectuals Aesthetics, Politics, Academics Bruce Robbins, Editor 1990 Fall
Heidegger and “the jews” Heidegger and “the jews” Jean-François Lyotard 1990 Fall
Emanates from the ongoing debates in France regarding the resurgence of anti-Semitism and recent disclosures about Heidegger’s Nazism.
Scientific Theories Scientific Theories C. Wade Savage, Editor 1990 Spring
Modernism and Hegemony: A Materialist Critique of Aesthetic Agencies Modernism and Hegemony A Materialist Critique of Aesthetic Agencies Neil Larsen 1990 Spring
A critique of high modernism from a newly formulated Marxist perspective, achieved through analyses of texts by Marx and Adorno, Manet’s paintings, and the works of several Latin American writers.