Desire, Dialectic, and Otherness

The book delves into the philosophical tension between sameness and otherness, particularly in the context of Hegelian dialectic. William Desmond presents a constructive perspective, arguing for the importance of preserving the genuine aspects of dialectic while addressing its limitations in recognizing difference. He introduces the concept of the Metaxological, a discourse that acknowledges the human desire for wholeness while remaining open to irreducible otherness. Through this lens, Desmond explores themes such as the nature of the self, the dynamics of desire, and the metaphysical quest for ultimate origin.