Description
Thinking the Impossible
Book Summary
In Thinking the Impossible, Gary Gutting offers a masterful synthesis of contemporary French thought, combining philosophical rigor with exceptional clarity of exposition. The book explores how key figures such as Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze, and Badiou reinterpreted Hegel and Heidegger, transforming Western philosophy from the second half of the 20th century onwards. An essential work for understanding the networks of influence that shaped the most innovative currents of current thought.
What is it about?
The book analyzes the complex introduction of Hegel and Heidegger into the French educational system, showing how they were assimilated and transformed by the great masters of French thought. Gutting unravels the interpretations of figures such as Hyppolite, Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze, Badiou, and Marion, revealing the deep connections between their works. Through a precise and critical approach, the author demonstrates how these readings not only reinterpreted the German philosophers but also generated new ways of thinking about the impossible, the unthought, and the limits of knowledge.
Main themes
- The reception and reinterpretation of Hegel and Heidegger in 20th-century French philosophy.
- The networks of influence among key thinkers such as Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze, Badiou, and Marion.
- The role of Hyppolite as a mediator between German philosophy and contemporary French thought.
- The evolution of Western philosophy from phenomenology to post-structuralism.
- The limits of thought and the exploration of the impossible as a philosophical category.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals of philosophy interested in contemporary continental thought. It is also ideal for readers with a background in philosophy who wish to understand the connections between the great French thinkers of the 20th century and their impact on contemporary philosophy.
What this book offers
- A panoramic and rigorous view of 20th-century French philosophy, from the post-war period to the present.
- Expository clarity to address complex concepts, facilitating the understanding of influences between thinkers.
- A critical analysis of how the reinterpretations of Hegel and Heidegger transformed Western philosophy.
- Tools to understand the foundations of post-structuralism, deconstruction, and the philosophy of difference.
- An updated synthesis of the most influential philosophical currents of contemporary thought.
Technical specifications
- Author: Gary Gutting
- Publisher: Avarigani Editores S A
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Humanities, Philosophy, Western Philosophy, c. 1900-, Religion and beliefs
- Collection: Philosophy
- Publication date: March 2014
- Number of pages: 404
- Weight: 475 g
Editorial review
Thinking the Impossible is a reference work for those seeking an expert and accessible guide to contemporary French philosophy. Gary Gutting succeeds in balancing analytical depth with a clear narrative, turning a complex subject into a stimulating and educational read. His focus on the networks of influence between key thinkers offers a unique perspective that enriches the understanding of 20th-century philosophy. Recommended for academics, students, and any reader interested in the roots of current thought.