Against Liberty: Adorno, Levinas, and the Pathologies of Freedom

Theoria: A Journal of Social and Political Theory 59 (131):64-83 (2012)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Adorno and Levinas argue from distinct yet intersecting perspectives that there are pathological forms of freedom, formed by systems of power and economic exchange, which legitimate the neglect, exploitation and domination of others. In this paper, I examine how the works of Adorno and Levinas assist in diagnosing the aporias of liberty in contemporary capitalist societies by providing critical models and strategies for confronting present discourses and systems of freedom that perpetuate unfreedom such as those ideologically expressed in possessive individualist and libertarian conceptions of freedom.

Author's Profile

Eric S. Nelson
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Analytics

Added to PP
2012-06-02

Downloads
783 (#23,628)

6 months
126 (#44,822)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?