Challenging the Absolute: Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Europe's Struggle Against Fundamentalism

by Simon F. Oliai

Overview

In this book, written in the wake of such influential European thinkers as Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida, and Vattimo, Simon Oliai argues that unless the “European” affirmation of man’s finite existence becomes universal, we shall never rid ourselves of the repressive shadow of a long dead metaphysical idol.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761865155
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	12/30/2014
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Simon F. Oliai is a former UNESCO adviser on the worldwide promotion of the humanities, as well as a philosopher of history who has studied and lectured in the United States, France, and Iran. He has organized several noted international seminars in Europe and the Middle East and is the editor of the landmark international anniversary dossier on the Martin Heidegger, which was published by the French review Portique in 2006.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments An Inevitably Endless Introduction Part I: The Use and the Danger of Heidegger for Contemporary Thought Chapter 1: On the Contemporary Pertinence of Heidegger’s Philosophical Questioning Chapter 2: Safeguarding “Being” from Its Fundamentalist Self-Persecution Part II: Nietzsche, Heidegger, and the Historical Destiny of “European” Thought Chapter 3: Nietzsche on the Art of Resistance to Onto-Theology Chapter 4: On “Be-coming European Today” Chapter 5: Heidegger on the Promise of Art at the Twilight of Philosophy Part III: On “Europe’s” Endless Struggle Against “Fundamentalisms” Chapter 6: On Europe’s Enlightening Example Chapter 7: Thinking the Essence of Neo-Fundamentalism Chapter 8: Only a “God-Artist” Can Save Us: Religion as the “European” Art of Safeguarding the Earth with Others

Editorial Reviews

Very few people have such a profound and intellectual appreciation of the cultural history and significance of Europe and Persia whilst also having lived in and experienced North America.

Lord David Owen

Ever since its first efforts at integration were undertaken, Europe has constituted, historically that is, a space for reconciliation. Moreover, Europe has been founded on values among which tolerance and acceptance of differences occupy a privileged position. Simon Oliai is thus right in underscoring this line of thought whilst insisting on the need for its constant application.

Michel Rocard

I am strongly convinced that the crucial analysis of the metaphysical underpinnings of all manner of contemporary fundamentalism by Simon Oliai shall have not only contributed to elaborating a more precise definition of the current role of Western philosophy, but, more significantly, shed light on the universal function of all critical thought in our world.

Gianni Vattimo