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Philosophy of Science - Social Aspects, Philosophical Anthropology, General & Miscellaneous German Philosophy, Humanism
On the Human Condition by Domini Janicaud β€” book cover

On the Human Condition

by Domini Janicaud, Eileen Brennan (Translator), Simon Critchley
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Overview

"This introduction brings together major themes in Greek Patristic anthropology - the image of God in the human being the Fall from Paradise, and the human condition in the present life and in the age to come. St. Basil the Great addresses the questions posed by the human condition with characteristic clarity, balance, and sobriety." The volume begins with two discourses on the creation of humanity and a homily on the causes of evil, translated into English for the first time, and contains a new translation of a famous homily meditating on our human identity and experience. The volume also includes Letter 233 to Amphilochius of Iconium, St. Basil's spiritual son - a succinct and pointed discussion of how the human mind functions, the activity for which God created it, and how it can be used for good, evil, or morally neutral purposes. This letter complements the discussion of emotions in St. Basil's Homily against Anger, also included in this volume. Finally, the book includes excerpts from St. Basil's fatherly instructions to his ascetic communities, commonly known as the Long Rules, or the Great Asceticon.

Synopsis

Janicaud's death in 2002 has done little to reduce his influence, and this lively volume will certainly not turn down the volume. Janicaud regards the "posthuman" future and considers whether it will also be inhuman, concluding that although talking of apocalypse is fruitless, so is falling back on conservative humanism or withdrawing from technology. In four concise chapters Janicaud wonders whether humanism is the last resort, analyses the danger of monsters, assesses risks, and traces links between the superhuman and the inhuman, covering such topics as genetic engineering, the thought of Primo Levi, the Frankenstein myth, and the need for eternal vigilance against the inhuman. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Le Monde

Dominique Janicaud was one of the French philosophers most attentive to contemporary realities and their origins, without ever forfeiting conceptual rigour.

About the Author, Domini Janicaud

At the time of his death in 2002, Dominique Janicaud was one of the leading philosophers in France. He taught at the University of Nice and wrote many books, including Heidegger en France and The Powers of the Rational.

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Editorials

Le Monde

Dominique Janicaud was one of the French philosophers most attentive to contemporary realities and their origins, without ever forfeiting conceptual rigour.

Book Details

Published
October 1, 2005
Publisher
Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Pages
80
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780415327961

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