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Readings in Infancy

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
Readings in Infancy by Jean-Francois Lyotard delves into the philosophical exploration of the early stages of human life. It examines the nature of language, consciousness, and the development of identity from infancy. Lyotard contrasts these foundational experiences with broader philosophical themes, offering insightful perspectives into how early readings shape the formation of self and understanding.
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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?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by the intersection of philosophy and psychology, particularly how early development is perceived through these lenses. It delves into profound insights and philosophical thoughts about infancy, resonating well with those interested in exploring the foundational stages of human cognition and existence.

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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

Nobody knows how to write. Thus opens this carefully nuanced and accessible collection of essays by one of the most important writer-philosophers of the 20th century, Jean-François Lyotard (1924-1998).

First published in French in 1991 as Lectures d'enfance, these essays have never been printed as a collection in English. In them, Lyotard investigates his idea of infantia, or the infancy of thought that resists all forms of development, either human or technological.

Each essay responds to works by writers and thinkers who are central to cultural modernism, such as James Joyce, Franz Kafka, Hannah Arendt, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Sigmund Freud.

This volume – with a new introduction and afterword by Robert Harvey and Kiff Bamford – contextualises Lyotard’s thought and demonstrates his continued relevance today.

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?

Readings in Infancy by Jean-Francois Lyotard is praised for marking a new turn in the author's work, focusing on the subliminal and the prelinguistic state referred to as 'infancy.' It explores the concept of the unrepresentable and how reading and writing are deeply intertwined. The book is recognised for its insightful interpretations of various influential figures like Kafka and Joyce, showcasing Lyotard’s prowess in art and literature. His writing, characterised by its unique style, challenges readers to engage actively.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781350167346

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Contributors:

  • Edited by Prof Robert Harvey
  • Edited by Dr Kiff Bamford

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 136.0mm

Height: 214.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 184

About the Author

Jean-François Lyotard (1924-98) was a French philosopher, sociologist, and literary theorist. His interdisciplinary interests included epistemology, communication, modern art, postmodern art, literature, critical theory, the sublime, and the relationship between aesthetics and politics. He was also a director of the International College of Philosophy.

Robert Harvey is Distinguished Professor at Stony Brook University, USA. His most recent books are Sharing Common Ground: A Space for Ethics (Bloomsbury, 2017) and Witnessness: Beckett, Levi, Dante and the Foundations of Ethics (Continuum, 2010). From 2001 until 2007, Harvey was a programme director at the Collège International de Philosophie in Paris.

Kiff Bamford is Reader in Contemporary Art in the School of Art, Architecture and Design at Leeds Beckett University, UK. He is also an artist and lecturer and the author of Lyotard and the ‘Figural’ in Performance, Art and Writing (Bloomsbury 2012), Jean-François Lyotard: Critical Lives (2017) and editor of Jean-François Lyotard: The Interviews and Debates (Bloomsbury, 2020).

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