Introduction: “Once More, Once More”: Derrida, the Arab, the Jew, Gil Anidjar; Part 1 A Note on “Faith and Knowledge”; Chapter 1 Faith and Knowledge; Part 2 A Note on “Des Tours de Babel”; Chapter 2 Des Tours De Babel; Part 3 A Note on “Interpretations at War”; Chapter 3 Interpretations at War; Part 4 A Note on “The Eyes of Language”; Chapter 4 The Eyes of Language; Part 5 A Note on “Force of Law”; Chapter 5 Force of Law; Part 6 A Note on “Taking a Stand for Algeria”; Chapter 6 Taking a Stand Foralgeria; Part 7 A Note on “A Silkworm of One’s Own”; Chapter 7 A Silkworm Of One’s Own; Part 8 A Note on “Hostipitality”; Chapter 8 Hostipitality;
Jacques Derrida teaches at the École des Hautes Études in Paris, at the University of California, Irvine, New York University, and the New School for Social Research. He is the author of more than 30 books including Acts ofLiterature and Specters of Marx, both published by Routledge. Gil Anidjar is Assistant Professor in the Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University.
'A collection of talks and lectures given by Derrida between 1990
and 1998, this book covers a variety of topics: religion, morality,
language, the limits of reason, faith and knowledge, relations
between Germans and Jews and between Jews and Arabs, war, taking a
stand for Algeria, the mystical foundation of authority, and
hospitality. Beginning with an editorial introduction by Gil
Anidjar (Middle East and Asian languages and cultures, Columbia
Univ.), Acts of Religion consists of eight chapters and a
bibliography. It is a very significant contribution because it
enables the reader to know Derrida's personal views, opinions,
values, reflections, and judgments on many topics philosophical,
religious, and humanistic...Highly recommended for graduate
students and scholars of Derrida.' - R. Puligandla, emeritus,
University of Toledo'Acts of Religion is a timely book precisely
because it suggests that we are, perhaps always, coming late to
religion. The essays compiled here show how questions of faith set
demands upon reading that cannot be satisfied in easy ways. The
writing here, taking place in various genres, in various modes of
address, compel us to rethink fundamental issues of identity,
relationality, displacement. To think and read religious questions
in this way is not to decide an identity, but to articulate the
distinctions among religions and to recognize how we are defined by
an inescapable proximity with others, one that opens identity,
time, and territory to critical reformulations. Anidjar's
introduction is excellent, cautioning us to read well, patiently,
and without the expectation that our usual categories will survive
intact in the end.' - Judith Butler, University of California at
Berkeley'This important collection of essays traces the development
of Derrida's long-standing interest in religion into a virtual
obsession. In ways difficult to calculate Derrida has become one of
the most provocative 'religious' thinkers of our time. Gil
Anidjar's fine translation and remarkable introduction show not
only the philosophical and theological importance but also the
social, political and even economic implications of Derrida's
reflections on religion.' - Mark C. Taylor, author of The Moment of
Complexity: Emerging Network Culture and Grave Matters'The most
important publication in the area of deconstruction and theology
this year ... indispensible reading for the many scholars working
in this area.' - Critical and Cultural Theory
'It is a very significant contribution because it enables the
reader to know Derrida's personal views, opinions, values,
reflections, and judgments on many topics philosophical, religious,
and humanistic...Highly recommended for graduate students and
scholars of Derrida.' - R. Puligandla, emeritus, University of
Toledo'This important collection of essays traces the development
of Derrida's long-standing interest in religion into a virtual
obsession. In ways difficult to calculate Derrida has become one of
the most provocative 'religious' thinkers of our time. Gil
Anidjar's fine translation and remarkable introduction show not
only the philosophical and theological importance but also the
social, political and even economic implications of Derrida's
reflections on religion.' - Mark C. Taylor, author of The Moment of
Complexity: Emerging Network Culture and Grave Matters'The most
important publication in the area of deconstruction and theology
this year ... indispensible reading for the many scholars working
in this area.' - Critical and Cultural Theory
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