The Politics of Friendship

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Until recently, Jacques Derrida was often viewed merely as the high priest of Deconstruction, engaging yet somewhat detached from pressing political issues. However, his "political turn," particularly with the release of Specters of Marx, has intrigued many. In The Politics of Friendship, Derrida deepens this exploration by examining the political history of friendship. He reflects on Aristotle's provocative assertion, "my friends, there is no friend," and its reinterpretations by philosophers like Montaigne, Kant, Nietzsche, Schmitt, and Blanchot. This inquiry reveals the instability of traditional oppositional pairs in Western philosophy, such as friendship versus enmity and private versus public life. Additionally, Derrida critiques the male-centered notion of fraternity and the unquestioned authority of virile virtue in our understanding of friendship and democracy. He posits that the future of politics hinges on the evolution of friendship, advocating for a radically new conception that fosters a deeper, more inclusive democracy. This significant work presents a challenging and inspiring vision for the future, marking a pivotal moment in Derrida's thought.