Philosophy In A Time Of Terror: Conversations with Jurgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida
Recently read: Philosophy In A Time Of Terror: Conversations with Jurgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida by Giovanna Borradori.
I purchased this book right before Derrida passed away but then never read it. I am glad I waited, however, because now more familiar with both Derrida and Habermas (who I knew very little about). This book encompasses conversations the author had with Derrida and Habermas (who hated each other? Ok.) in the weeks after 9/11. A lot of hot air has been written about the events of that morning, but both of these conversations are superb.
In general, the Habermas conversation was less interesting for me, not because I don’t enjoy his work and thoughts, but I just found myself skimming for some reason. I strongly agree with his distaste for the idea of a “war on terror” in and of itself. Habermas argues that this legitimizes that sort of terror by giving it such a name. I have been saying this for years!
What I found the most engaging about the conversation with Derrida was he goes about defining what a “major” event is. This, of course, varies by who is being attacked, who is doing the attacking, etc. One of the more disgusting aspects of the “post 9/11″ reaction was the way in which Americans suddenly feigned interest in things like the rights of women in Afghanistan to justify the war there.
“Major” events could also be the random, disturbing, stories of suicide bombers and other forms of cowardice destruction which come out of the Middle East each day. My best friend died a week before 9/11 under rather unfortunate, and heart breaking, circumstances. A teacher who I trained under in the weeks after 9/11 had three brothers die in the World Trade Center. When does this event end for her? If I was already dealing with a “major” event, how do I deal with another? I’d still like some answers for that one…
Derrida’s comments on the differences in hospitality are also very interesting. Derrida notes two kinds of hospitality. Visitation, treats immigrants as “absolutely foreign” and invitation offers a more welcoming embrace to immigrants (128-129).
Books I want to check out from this book:
- Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary
- Kant’s Perpetual Peace
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