Philosophy in a Time of Terror

This volume documents individual dialogues between Giovanna Borradori and philosophers Jürgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida conducted shortly after the September 11 attacks. The authors dismantle the standard geopolitical rhetoric of the era, replacing it with rigorous critiques of international law, sovereignty, and the concept of global communication. Habermas applies his theory of communicative action to analyze the breakdown of linguistic understanding that precipitates violence, while Derrida utilizes deconstruction to interrogate the definition of "terrorism" and the "autoimmune" response of democratic states. Together, they examine the role of the United Nations and the potential for a secular, cosmopolitan legal framework to mediate transnational conflict.

Scholars of political theory and international relations read this book to understand how continental philosophy engages with contemporary crises. Readers gain technical insights into the limitations of Enlightenment rationality when faced with non-state violence and religious fundamentalism. The text provides a framework for distinguishing between foundational political shifts and reactionary policy, offering a dense intellectual alternative to mainstream media discourse. It serves those interested in the evolving roles of secularism and sovereignty in a globalized society.

Deep, outward-looking and open-ended; a demanding read.

Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?