Description
Book SynopsisIn an unconventionally written book that challenges the literary imagination of its readers, Jeremy Bendik-Keymer explores how wonder is central to Martha C. Nussbaum's normative project. Nussbaum's work is opposed to the emotional and political conditions of narcissism' the tendency to seek to control the wills of others in order to defend oneself against perceived vulnerabilities. Our capacity for wondering is important for growing beyond narcissism. Bendik-Keymer elaborates a politics of wonder that is consistent with understanding this idea. Taking issue with understandings of wonder viewing it as an emotion of surprise or delight, he develops an alternate tradition finding wonder in concert with the freedom of imagination found by degrees within much of human understanding. The result is a constructive rereading of Nussbaum's oeuvre, surprising for how it disencumbers her work of some falsehoods surrounding anxiety and anger and for the ways it implies an egalitarian politic
Trade ReviewProvides a remarkable phenomenology of the polyphonic gist of wondering, consisting of four mutually related motets (essays) on different aspects of wondering’s genealogy ... Inspiring and thought-provoking. * Journal of Ethical Studies *
A very timely call for the revival of politics through our ability to wonder, Jeremy Bendik-Keymer’s book proves that philosophy should have a robust place in public life. * Urszula Lisowska, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, The University of Wroclaw, Poland *
Nussbaum’s Politics of Wonder is the first book to notice and develop the crucial importance of wonder to Nussbaum’s political philosophy. At one stroke, it makes an important contribution to Nussbaum scholarship and a novel contribution to the ongoing recovery of the political importance of wonder. * Anders Schinkel, Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education, VU Amsterdam, The Netherlands *
In an individual voice, but with a wide range of reference that includes literature, music, and film, Bendik-Keymer has more than vindicated Plato's saying that philosophy begins in wonder. He explores what wonder means, why it should inform our lives, and how it can inspire a new vision of politics. * Charles Larmore, Professor of Philosophy, Brown University, USA *
Table of ContentsPROLOGUE
SETTING – WHEN PEOPLE NO LONGER WONDER, DOMINATION’S HOLDING DOWN THE SYSTEM IN THE READER’S VOICE
MOTET 1 – WONDER IS THE MIND’S EXCITEMENT AND PROCEEDS BY GETTING LOST TEXTS:
Aristotle’s De Motu Animalium
, Frontiers of Justice WORD: “Lostness”
MOTET 2 – HUMANS ARE BORN TO WONDER HOW ANOTHER'S WORLD IS POSSIBLE TEXTS:
Upheavals of Thought, Fragility of Goodness WORD: “Devotion” “LIFE CYCLE”
MOTET 3 – WONDER IS POLITICAL, HONEST IN OUR RELATIONS TEXTS:
Love’s Knowledge, Political Emotions WORD: “Honesty”
MOTET 4 – CAN ANGER BE WONDERFUL? IT CAN SURFACE MORAL WRONGS TEXTS:
Anger and Forgiveness, Therapy of Desire WORD: “Vulnerability” “WITH WONDER” THANKS SOURCES INDEX
