http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/937836

Political philosophy at the closure of metaphysics

This work considers the consequences for political philosophy of what contemporary philosophers have called the end, or closure, of metaphysics. It begins by evoking the different meanings of the notion of closure, especially in the works of Nietzsche and Heidegger. The book is divided into two parts. In the first part Bernard Flynn considers three philosophers--Marx, Habermas, and Foucault--who in their own self-representation claim to have analyzed the origin and demise of classical metaphysics and to have elaborated a political philosophy that goes beyond it. Through a close reading of aspects of these works, Flynn contests this claim, showing that their writings contain many unanalyzed metaphysical concepts. The second part concerns three thinkers--Arendt, Merleau-Ponty, and Lefort--who, it is argued, have been more successful in resisting the repetitive force of metaphysics. Political Philosophy at the Closure of Metaphysics opens a perspective on political philosophy that avoids both the foundational claims of classical metaphysics and the nihilistic relativism that often emerges as a consequence of the critique of Western philosophy. It differs from most works in the field of political philosophy in that the analysis is informed by the writings of Heidegger, Lacan, and the phenomenological tradition. It is unique in effecting a critique of the works of political philosophers from the perspective opened up by the late writings of Merleau-Ponty and the political philosophy of Lefort. Professor Flynn addresses primarily professional philosophers and graduate students in the areas of political philosophy and contemporary European philosophy. His work will also be of interest to political scientists, historians, and literary theorists.

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