Babette Babich Books

A philosophical exploration of the power that poetry, music, and the erotic have on us.

Beginning with Jürgen Habermas's 1968 reflection on Nietzsche's criticisms of knowledge and science, the essays in this volume engage Nietzsche's challenge to the Frankfurt School tradition of critical theory as well as other social and political theories of modernity and postmodernity. Juxtaposing Habermas and Nietzsche for the sake of the "future" of critical theory, the essays in this collection draw variously on Marx and Weber as well as Horkheimer and Adorno, Benjamin, Foucault, and others.The distinguished authors in this book argue that critical theory is best served by responding to challenges such as those associated with identity politics and globalization and including an authentic engagement with Nietzsche.This important volume features contributions by Babette E. Babich, Karin Bauer, Howard Caygill, Rebecca Comay, Fred Dallmayr, Josef Früchtl, Jürgen Habermas, Dominique Janicaud, Alexander Nehamas, David Owen, Max Pensky, Holger Schmid, Tracy B. Strong, James Swindal, and Bernhard Taureck.

The book explores the impact of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," particularly k.d. lang's renditions, within today's network culture. It examines how modern recording dynamics and social media amplify the song's emotional and visual resonance, reflecting Nietzsche's concept of the 'spirit of music.' By delving into the song's sexual and religious themes, it offers a phenomenological analysis of desire, addressing gender dynamics and the objectification of both men and women, encompassing both homosexual and heterosexual perspectives.

The biography details the life of William J. Richardson, a notable philosopher and psychoanalyst, highlighting his origins in Brooklyn, New York, and his death at the Jesuit Campion Health Center in Weston, Massachusetts. Born on November 2, 1920, and passing away on December 10, 2016, Richardson's journey reflects his contributions to philosophy and psychoanalysis, marking a significant presence in these fields throughout his lifetime.

Focusing on the pursuit of happiness, Epicurus emphasizes that true contentment arises from the absence of suffering. He offers insights into achieving a fulfilling life through philosophical reflections, encouraging readers to seek pleasure wisely and cultivate tranquility. By prioritizing mental well-being over material wealth, Epicurus presents a timeless approach to living a happy and meaningful existence.

Hermeneutic philosophies of social science offer an explicit concern with the subject of the human. This volume outlines the key elements of a hermeneutic philosophy of social science. Contributions by key authors focus on politics, economics, applied ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, education as well as the history of philosophy. Themes in the history of philosophy are drawn from Plato to Descartes to Husserl.

This collection on the Standard of Taste offers a much needed resource for students and scholars of philosophical aesthetics, political reflection, value and judgments, economics, and art. The authors include experts in the philosophy of art, aesthetics, history of philosophy as well as the history of science. This much needed volume on David Hume will enrich scholars across all levels of university study and research.

Nietzsches Auseinandersetzung mit der klassischen Musik, insbesondere mit Beethoven, steht im Mittelpunkt dieser Sammlung von Aufsätzen und Vorträgen. Die Autoren beleuchten Nietzsches weniger bekannte Gedanken zur klassischen Antike und deren Beziehung zu Themen wie Aufstieg und Dekadenz. Neben philosophischen und literaturwissenschaftlichen Aspekten wird auch die Kunstgeschichte thematisiert. Babette Babich, die an renommierten Universitäten lehrt, bietet einen tiefen Einblick in die Verbindung zwischen Musik und Philosophie in Nietzsches Werk.

Das Buch untersucht die Beziehung zwischen Künstler und Rezipienten durch hermeneutische und phänomenologische Perspektiven. Es beleuchtet die Materialität von Kunstwerken, einschließlich Bronze, Marmor, Farbe und Klang, und thematisiert die philosophischen Überlegungen Nietzsches. Durch diese Reflexionen wird ein tieferes Verständnis für die Entstehung und Wahrnehmung von Kunst geschaffen, das sowohl die kreative als auch die rezeptive Seite des künstlerischen Prozesses berücksichtigt.