Stanley Cavell, Religion, and Continental Philosophy

Espen Dahl is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He is author of Phenomenology and the Holy: Religious Experience after Husserl and In Between: The Holy Beyond Modern Dichotomies.

"It is undoubtedly tricky business writing a book about Stanley Cavell and any book enterprising enough to bring him into conversation with Christian theology should be additionally commended, especially one as likable as Espen Dahl's Stanley Cavell, Religion, and Continental Philosophy."—Modern Theology"Dahl has a comprehensive grasp on Cavell's thought, is clearly a gifted theologian, and manages to place Cavell in conversation with continental thought as productively as anyone before him. Moreover, he does so in prose that is a model of clarity and brevity."—Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"Although short, Espen Dahl has written a book that truly delivers on its title: it clearly, concisely, and powerfully shows Cavell's frequent and deep links to and engagements with religion and religious themes and with (so-called) Continental philosophy. While both of these strands have been explored piecemeal by scholars, Dahl's innovation consists in the detail with which he can engage these themes and the position he is able to carve out. . . . Dahl has also written a highly accessible book on Cavell, and yet one which in no way 'waters down' or dilutes Cavell's thinking. There ought to be more books of this kind on Cavell."—Intl Journal for the Philosophy of Religion"First-rate and never so technically exposed as to impede readers new to Cavell, or to his reluctance to theology or continental philosophy. I can't imagine a better introduction to the interweaving themes and topics."—Edward Mooney, Syracuse University"In making such a convincing case for claiming that religion is Stanley Cavell's pervasive, hence invisible, business, Espen Dahl also puts Cavell's writings into sustained and productive dialogue with the work of Levinas and Girard in ways other commentators have not previously managed."—Stephen Mulhall, Oxford University

• AcknowledgementsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. Modernism and Religion2. The Ordinary Sublime3. Acknowledging God4. Skepticism, Finitude, and Sin5. The Tragic Dimension of the Ordinary6. The Other and Violence7. Forgiveness and PassivityConclusion: The Last Question: Self-redemption or Divine Redemption?NotesBibliographyIndex