The Impertinent Self: A Heroic History of Modernity (Cultural Memory in the Present) - Hardcover

Früchtl, Josef

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0804757356 ISBN 13: 9780804757355

Publisher: Stanford University Press, 2009

Synopsis

This book is about the heroic, ambivalent concept of the self within modernity as outlined in philosophy and exemplified in the filmic genres of the Western and crime and science fiction movies.

About this title

Review:

"Much negative (and sometimes positive) excitement was triggered by a pseudo-philosophical phrase about "the Death of the Subject" during the final decades of the 20th century. Today, we tend to see similar transformations in the ways that humans think and speak about themselves, in more sober--and sometimes even more sarcastic--terms. If Gianni Vattimo's "weak Subject" functioned for a long time as a modest alternative to a discourse of self-reflexive negativity, Josef Früchtl's "Impertinent Self" now offers a both realistic and entertaining option of Nietzschean flavor. His combination of profound scholarship and intellectual provocation will certainly appeal to the American reader."--Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht "Stanford University "

"In this interesting book, Früchtl argues that the impertinent self collapses the distinction between the private and public, feeling free to announce publicly matters that once were considered intensely private. He is referring to the self as presented in memoirs, so-called reality shows, and talk shows.... The Impertinent Self will be useful for those with interests in cultural studies, film, and/or philosophy.... Recommended."--J. M. Fritzman

About the Author:

Josef Fruchtl is Professor in the Philosophy of Art and Culture Research Group at the University of Amsterdam.

About this edition

• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0804757356
• ISBN 13: 9780804757355
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 268