Description

Book Synopsis
For philosophers, the gift fascinates because it demands disinterested generosity. Yet anthropology offers another view. Reciprocity, rather than disinterestedness, Hénaff shows, is central to ceremonial giving, alliance, and the social bond. From actual gift practices, Hénaff develops an original and profound theory of symbolism, the social, and the relationship between self and other.

Table of Contents

Translator’s Preface | vii
Preliminary Directions | 1
1. Derrida: The Gift, the Impossible, and the Exclusion of Reciprocity | 11
2. Propositions I: The Ceremonial Gift—Alliance and Recognition | 30
3. Levinas: Beyond Reciprocity—For-the-Other and the Costly Gift | 52
4. Propositions II: Approaches to Reciprocity | 77
5. Marion: Gift without Exchange—Toward Pure Givenness | 95
6. Ricoeur: Reciprocity and Mutuality—From the Golden Rule to Agape | 124
7. Philosophy and Anthropology: With Lefort and Descombes | 148
8. Propositions III: The Dual Relationship and the Third Party | 169
Postliminary Directions | 199
Acknowledgments | 213
Notes | 215
Bibliography | 245
Index | 253

The Philosophers Gift Reexamining Reciprocity

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    A Paperback / softback by Marcel Hénaff, Jean-Louis Morhange

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      Book details

      Publisher Fordham University Press
      Published 5 November 2019
      ISBN-13 9780823286461
      978-0823286461
      ISBN-10 0823286460
      Also in:
      Social and cultural anthropology Comparative religion

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      For philosophers, the gift fascinates because it demands disinterested generosity. Yet anthropology offers another view. Reciprocity, rather than disinterestedness, Hénaff shows, is central to ceremonial giving, alliance, and the social bond. From actual gift practices, Hénaff develops an original and profound theory of symbolism, the social, and the relationship between self and other.

      Table of Contents

      Translator’s Preface | vii
      Preliminary Directions | 1
      1. Derrida: The Gift, the Impossible, and the Exclusion of Reciprocity | 11
      2. Propositions I: The Ceremonial Gift—Alliance and Recognition | 30
      3. Levinas: Beyond Reciprocity—For-the-Other and the Costly Gift | 52
      4. Propositions II: Approaches to Reciprocity | 77
      5. Marion: Gift without Exchange—Toward Pure Givenness | 95
      6. Ricoeur: Reciprocity and Mutuality—From the Golden Rule to Agape | 124
      7. Philosophy and Anthropology: With Lefort and Descombes | 148
      8. Propositions III: The Dual Relationship and the Third Party | 169
      Postliminary Directions | 199
      Acknowledgments | 213
      Notes | 215
      Bibliography | 245
      Index | 253

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