Critique of Violence: Between Poststructuralism and Critical Theory (Warwick Studies in European Philosophy) [Paperback]

Beatrice Hanssen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415223407 | ISBN-13: 978-0415223409 | Publication Date: October 13, 2000 | Edition: 1

Critique of Violence is a highly original and lucid investigation of the heated controversy between poststructuralism and critical theory. Leading theorist Beatrice Hanssen uses Walter Benjamin's essay 'Critique of Violence' as a guide to analyse the contentious debate, shifting the emphasis from struggle to dialogue between the two parties. Regarding the questions of critique and violence as the major meeting points between both traditions, Hanssen positions herself between the two in an effort to investigate what critical theory and poststructuralism have to offer each other. In the course of doing so, she assembles imaginative new readings of Benjamin, Arendt, Fanon and Foucault, and incisively explores the politics of recognition, the violence of language, and the future of feminist theory.
This groundbreaking book will be essential reading for all students of continental philosophy, political theory, social studies and comparative literature.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Displaying a sovereign mastery of contemporary critical theory in all its motley variety, Beatrice Hanssen strives to rescue the most compelling arguments from each tradition to lessen the darkness that surrounds the intractable problem of violence.
–Martin Jay, University of California, Berkeley

Beatrice Hanssen is one of the most sophisticated theorists of her generation...her rich notion of inter-cultures (rather than contenders) in contemporary ideological battles lowers the heat, casts much light and enables us to force new forms of solidarity.
–Cornel West, Harvard University

Beatrice Hanssen has conducted a fascinating exploration of social and political theory, from Hegel to Fanon, by way of Benjamin and Arendt, and into our post-structural present, through the prism of the question of violence. Cosmopolitan in its range and subtle in its readings, this is a book from which I learned a great deal.
–K. Anthony Appiah, Professor of Afro-American Studies and Philosophy, Harvard University

...an excellent book... Beatrice Hanssen writes very clearly, her approach is very innovative and I have found many of her reflexions very suggestive.
–Chantal Mouffe, University of Westminster

About the Author

Beatrice Hanssen was trained in Comparative Literature at Johns Hopkins University and is Associat Professor of German at Harvard University. She is the author of Walter Benhamin's Other History: Of Stones, Animals, Human Beings, and Angels (1998) and an editor of The Turn to Ethics (Routledge, 2000).

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (October 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415223407
• ISBN-13: 978-0415223409
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,553,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Critique of Violence, April 2, 2011

By 

Danny Jimenez (Santa Ana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Critique of Violence: Between Poststructuralism and Critical Theory (Warwick Studies in European Philosophy) (Paperback)

An excellent overview of major theories of violence and with a generally clear and structured argument. While Hanssen provides much information and direction for anyone interested in doing a "genealogy" of literature on violence, it does not fully theorize or substantiate the claims it makes and sets out to undertake on account of its breadth. For example, her reading of Benjamin's essay seems somewhat glossed over without getting into the enormously complex details of the essay itself. At one point she makes a claim that the essay itself failed in some capacity but no thorough explanation of this if offered. Great to read as an introduction to critical studies in theories of violence with very informed insights, but does not fully substantiate many of the claims that that she makes. While carefully and thoroughly drawing from a variety of theorists, in certain parts there is over-citation to the point that she fails to link the various authors referred to. I would recommend it on account of its "encyclopedic" value.