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The Expulsion of the Other

Society, Perception and Communication Today
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( 2,711 ratings, 302 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Expulsion of the Other by Byung-Chul Han delves into contemporary societal trends that lead to the alienation of those who are different. The author critiques how modern digital life and the pursuit of sameness contribute to a world where diversity and individuality are increasingly being sidelined. This thought-provoking work explores the implications of these cultural shifts on personal identity and social cohesion.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're intrigued by how modern society's focus on sameness impacts individuality and cultural differences, this insightful exploration might resonate with you. It's a thought-provoking examination of how social dynamics are shaped by the pressures to conform, making it an engaging read for anyone interested in contemporary philosophy and cultural studies.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The days of the Other are over in this age of excessive communication, information, and consumption. What used to be the Other, whether as a friend, as Eros, or as hell, is now indistinguishable from the self in our narcissistic desire to assimilate everything and everyone until there are no boundaries left.

The result is a 'terror of the Same'β€”lives in which we no longer pursue knowledge, insight, and experience, but are instead reduced to the echo chambers and illusory encounters offered by social media. In extreme cases, this feeling of disorientation and senselessness is compensated through self-harm, or even harming others through acts of terrorism.

Byung-Chul Han argues that our times are characterised not by external repression but by an internal depression, whereby the destructive pressure comes not from the Other but from the self. It is only by returning to a society of listeners and lovers, by acknowledging and desiring the Other, that we can seek to overcome the isolation and suffering caused by this crushing process of total assimilation.

The Expulsion of the Other explores these themes with profound insight, challenging us to rethink our approach to communication and relationships in the modern world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Byung-Chul Han's The Expulsion of the Other offers a profound analysis of modern existence under the influence of constant electronic communication, focusing on the concept of the "Terror of Sameness" and its depressive effects due to a lack of distinctiveness and individual events. The book is praised for its insightful integration of classical philosophy to analyse contemporary issues, making it engaging and thought-provoking. Critics highlight its evocative tone and Han's ability to relate everyday experiences to larger existential themes.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509523061

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 March 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Wieland Hoban
  • Translated by Wieland Hoban
  • Translated by Wieland Hoban

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 136g

Pages: 100

About the Author

Byung-Chul Han is a Korean-born Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Studies who teaches at the University of the Arts (UdK) in Berlin. He is the author of more than twenty books including The Scent of Time, Saving Beauty and The Burnout Society.

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