Judith Still Knihy

Exploring Rousseau's concept of 'beneficence' between unequal parties, Judith Still examines the complexities of just relationships in light of gender dynamics. She intertwines themes of the state, individual relations, and the genealogy of passions, while employing literary theory to analyze Rousseau's ethics. Highlighting contradictions in his work, she argues that sexual difference disrupts beneficence. Still's study reveals Rousseau's blend of Enlightenment rationality and emotional depth, illuminating his political and ethical theories through the lens of gender.

The book delves into the concept of hospitality during the eighteenth century, highlighting its promotion as a universal virtue while revealing instances of its misuse. Judith Still analyzes cultural and sexual encounters, focusing on representations of indigenous peoples and Muslims, contrasting their roles as hosts and others. The work emphasizes the often-overlooked position of women in hospitality, incorporating perspectives from both female and male authors. Ultimately, it critiques the Enlightenment's rhetoric of openness, raising enduring questions about difference and freedom.

The book explores Rousseau's concept of 'beneficence' in relationships between unequals, questioning the feasibility of just and generous connections. Judith Still examines interconnected themes in Rousseau's work, including state dynamics, individual relations, and the construction of feminine identity. By employing literary theory techniques, she highlights contradictions in Rousseau's ethics, arguing that sexual difference disrupts beneficence. The analysis reveals Rousseau's blend of Enlightenment rationality and emotional depth, reflecting his complex views on gender within his political theory.

What is man? Judith Still examines Derrida’s contribution to this long-standing philosophical and political debate, which has typically evoked a significant division between human beings and other animals. Derrida pays close attention to how animals are used to explore humanity in a range of writings, including fables and fiction. This leads to ethical questions about how humans treat sacrificing animals (say, in factory farms) while extending love to pets. And it leads to political questions about how we dehumanise ‘outsiders’, from historical matters such as colonialism and slavery to contemporary issues such as State Terror in response to 'rogue states'.

The first full-length study of hospitality in the writings of Jacques Derrida