Production of Presence: What Meaning Cannot Convey [Paperback]

Hans Gumbrecht (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0804749167 | ISBN-13: 978-0804749169 | Publication Date: December 11, 2003 | Edition: 1

Production of Presence is a comprehensive version of the thinking of Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, one of the most consistently original literary scholars writing today. It offers a personalized account of some of the central theoretical movements in literary studies and in the humanities over the past thirty years, together with an equally personal view of a possible future. Based on this assessment of the past and the future of literary studies and the humanities, the book develops the provocative thesis that, through their exclusive dedication to interpretation, i.e. to the reconstruction and attribution of meaning, the humanities have become incapable of addressing a dimension in all cultural phenomena that is as important as the dimension of meaning. Interpretation alone cannot do justice to the dimension of “presence,” a dimension in which cultural phenomena and cultural events become tangible and have an impact on our senses and our bodies. Production of Presence is a passionate plea for a rethinking and a reshaping of the intellectual practice within the humanities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...Production of Presence is focused and persuasive. [It} reflect[s] the intellectual, and physical, journey of a courageous and versatile thinker.”—Southern Humanities Review

From the Inside Flap

Production of Presence is a comprehensive version of the thinking of Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, one of the most consistently original literary scholars writing today. It offers a personalized account of some of the central theoretical movements in literary studies and in the humanities over the past thirty years, together with an equally personal view of a possible future. Based on this assessment of the past and the future of literary studies and the humanities, the book develops the provocative thesis that, through their exclusive dedication to interpretation, i.e. to the reconstruction and attribution of meaning, the humanities have become incapable of addressing a dimension in all cultural phenomena that is as important as the dimension of meaning. Interpretation alone cannot do justice to the dimension of “presence,” a dimension in which cultural phenomena and cultural events become tangible and have an impact on our senses and our bodies. Production of Presence is a passionate plea for a rethinking and a reshaping of the intellectual practice within the humanities.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (December 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804749167
• ISBN-13: 978-0804749169
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Had a great thought---but didn't develop it, August 22, 2010

By 

Geoff Sarkissian (Silverado, California) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Production of Presence: What Meaning Cannot Convey (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book a lot...especially when he talks about a "moment of emotional intensity" as being one of the objectives of art...and his distinction between a "presence" culture and "meaning" culture. All great concepts (which I continue to reflect two years after reading). Some of the book seems to be more concerned about his own personal intellectual struggles---i.e. complaints against his fellow humanists in the universities---so once he lays out his arguments, he's moving on to literary criticism and stops developing the key ideas.

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting aquanted with philosophy, August 28, 2006

By 

Maria Dolores Souza Meyerholz (Santiago, Chile) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Production of Presence: What Meaning Cannot Convey (Paperback)

I found the book very interesting, a new point of view that questions our cultural worldview and language.
The author knows his field and therefore has lots of academic references and examples. It is sometimes difficult for non- english speakers and for people outside philosophy or epistemology but it is worth reading it, not only for scholars, but also for people who want to know more about emotional experience.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not just important for the arts and humanities, February 4, 2006

By 

Douglas Galbi (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Production of Presence: What Meaning Cannot Convey (Paperback)

Presence has become a hot topic among communications industry analysts and entrepreneurs. Persons outside of the arts and humanities academia but who aren't afraid to venture onto new ground should also consider reading this book.

For further discussion, see my review at http://www.galbithink.org/gumbrecht.htm