Book Description
Conceptualizes the question of witness and responsibility, following the Holocaust, using continental philosophy, theology, and literary theory. Drawing on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, James Hatley uses the prose of Primo Levi and Tadeusz Borowski, as well as the poetry of Paul Celan, to question why witnessing the Shoah is so pressing a responsibility for anyone living in its aftermath. He argues that the witnessing of irreparable loss leaves one in an irresoluble quandary but that the attentiveness of that witness resists the destructive legacy of annihilation.
About the Author
James Hatley is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Salisbury State University.
Suffering Witness: The Quandary of Responsibility after the Irreparable FROM THE PUBLISHER
Drawing on the philosophy of Emmanual Levinas, James Hatley uses the prose of Primo Levi and Tadeusz Borowski, as well as the poetry of Paul Celan, to question why witnessing the Shoah is so pressing a responsibility for anyone living in its aftermath. He argues that the witnessing of irreparable loss leaves one in an irresoluble quandary but that the attentiveness of that witness resists the destructive legacy of annhilation.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
Drawing on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, the prose of Primo Levi and Tadeusz Borowski, and the poetry of Paul Celan, Hatley (philosophy, Salisbury State U.) argues that anyone living in the aftermath of the Shoah has a pressing responsibility to witness about it. Though such witnessing of irreparable loss leaves people in an irresoluble quandary, he says, its attentiveness resists the destructive legacy of annihilation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Art & Photography
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