Examines JM Coetzee's writings about Elizabeth Costello, and the ways in which philosophers have responded to them. This book considers the relations among reason, language, and the imagination, as well as more specific ethical issues concerning the moral status of animals, the meaning of mortality, the nature of evil, and the demands of religion.
Rev. ed. of: Routledge philosophy guidebook to Heidegger and Being and time.
Inheritance and Originality is an innovative study of Wittgenstein, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard which argues that they find themselves unable simply to inherit the prevailing conventions definitive of philosophy. By placing these conventions in question, they reconceive the form of philosophical writing, and of philosophy itself, together with prevailing notions of language, scepticism, morality, and the self; and in so doing, they confront certain fundamentally theological preoccupations.
The book explores the relationship between modern philosophy and its historical context, focusing on the works of Wittgenstein, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard. It argues that these philosophers respond uniquely to the challenges posed by modernism regarding philosophy's past and future. Through in-depth analysis of their influential texts, the author, Stephen Mulhall, fosters a critical dialogue among these thinkers, aiming to reveal the potential for a new understanding of philosophy.
Although Heidegger's writings are not extensively concerned with the analysis of political concepts or with advocating particular arrangements of political institutions, his basic way of understanding the human relation to the world accords a constitutive significance to its social, cultural and historical dimensions. There is thus a political aspect to his thinking about every philosophical matter to which he turns his attention. This collection of essays is designed to identify, contextualize and critically evaluate the main phases of his intellectual development from that perspective.
Focusing on Wittgenstein's exploration of 'private language', this commentary delves into sections 243-315 of his Philosophical Investigations. It utilizes Stanley Cavell's interpretations to navigate interpretative disputes surrounding Wittgenstein's later philosophy while linking them to ongoing debates about his earlier work, the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. The analysis emphasizes the significance of Wittgenstein's philosophical method and the stylistic elements of his writing, highlighting their role in understanding complex concepts like grammar, nonsense, and imagination.
First published in 2002. Few movies have captured our imagination as deeply and enduringly as those of the 'Alien' quartet, which follow the odyssey of Sigourney Weaver's Flight Lieutenant Ellen Ripley. In this gripping and limpidly written book, Stephen Mulhall shows why these films fascinate us, by showing that they are compelling examples of philosophy in action. Bringing a philosopher's eye to cinema, he argues that the 'Alien' films take us deep into the question of what it is to be human. By developing the sexual significance of the aliens themselves and of Ripley's resistance to them, these films explore the relation of human identity to the body, in the context of a hyper-Darwinian universe which both sharpens and subverts the distinction between the natural and the technological, and which pits the hope of redemption against nihilism. The book also considers the nature of 'sequeldom· in contemporary cinema. What is the relation between each 'Alien· movie's distinctive plot and the overarching narrative of the 'Alien' universe? How does the work of each director who has contributed to the 'Alien· series relate to the themes of their other films, such as Ridley Scott's Bladerunner, James Cameron's Terminator and David Fincher's Se7en? On Film is essential reading for anyone interested in film, philosophy and cultural and visual studies, and in the way philosophy can enrich our understanding of cinema.
Focusing on the philosophical foundations of Stanley Cavell's work, this study explores his interpretations of Austin and Wittgenstein's ordinary-language philosophy. It highlights Cavell's engagement with the skeptical impulse in modernity, linking his ideas to Romanticism and moral perfectionism influenced by Thoreau and Emerson. The book further examines Cavell's connections to liberal-democratic theory, Christian thought, and feminist literary studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of his intellectual trajectory and cultural significance.
Wittgenstein and Heidegger on Seeing Aspects
Focusing on 'continuous aspect perception', this work explores a crucial yet overlooked area of Wittgenstein's philosophy, highlighting its relevance to contemporary philosophical debates. Professor Mulhall draws connections between Wittgenstein's ideas and Heidegger's "Being and Time," offering insights that bridge the gap between analytic and continental philosophy. This book serves as a vital resource for those seeking to understand these philosophical intersections and their implications.
Exploring the intersection of philosophy and theology, this work examines the perspectives of Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Wittgenstein on the concept of original sin. It questions whether these philosophers merely critique the idea of humanity's inherent flaws or inadvertently create secular interpretations of the same myth. Mulhall delves into their ethical and religious dimensions, revealing the complexities and implications of their thoughts in the post-Enlightenment context.