The Question of Sacrifice

In this concentrated and detailed look at questions surrounding the act of sacrifice, Dennis King Keenan discusses both the role and the meaning of sacrifice in our lives. Building on recent philosophical discussions on the gift and transcendence, Keenan covers new ground with this exploration of the religious, psychological, and ethical issues that sacrifice entails. According to Keenan, sacrifice is paradoxically called to sacrifice itself. But what does this necessary, yet impossible condition mean for living an ethical life? Along the way to an answer, Keenan considers the views of Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Bataille, Lacan, Levinas, Blanchot, Irigaray, Derrida, Kristeva, Nancy, and Zizek. This thoughtful and provocative work affords a sophisticated philosophical treatment of the question of sacrifice.

Author: Dennis King Keenan
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 06/14/2005
Pages: 232
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.72lbs
Size: 9.16h x 6.38w x 0.51d
ISBN: 9780253217691

Review Citation(s):
Choice 09/01/2006 pg. 126

About the Author

Dennis King Keenan is Professor of Philosophy at Fairfield University. He is author of Death and Responsibility: The Work of Levinas and editor of Hegel and Contemporary Continental Philosophy.