God and the Other

J. Aaron Simmons is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Hendrix College. He is editor (with David Wood) of Kierkegaard and Levinas: Ethics, Politics, and Religion (IUP, 2008).

"This book is an encouraging sign about new directions in Continental philosophy—and Continental philosophy of religion more specifically. Like Nick Trakakis in The End of Philosophy of Religion (2008), Simmons (Furman Univ.) bridges the lamentable gap between 'analytic' discussions (which are the mainstream in North American philosophy) and voices in the Continental tradition (particularly French thinkers Emmanuel Levinas, Jacques Derrida, and Jean-Luc Marion, but also hearkening back to Kierkegaard). But rather than focusing on issues of epistemology, as so much philosophy of religion does, Simmons configures this conversation around ethics and politics. One need not affirm all of Simmons's conclusions to nonetheless receive this book as an important exercise that advances the conversation. His is a model to be emulated. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers/faculty. —Choice"—J. K. A. Smith, Calvin College, April 2012"This first book by . . . a Furman University philosopher is a bold and impressive foray into the chasm that has distanced the analytic and continental traditions of philosophy over the last two generations. . . . God and the Other forcefully registers the emergence of Simmons as one of a number of new voices in philosophy of religion on the present horizon."—Religious Studies Review"We do not have many good examples of how continental and analytic philosopher can engage one another in a shared conversation . . . [Simmons] uses the analytic philosophers to state problems or to clarify options, and he then develops an analysis of the continental figures in order to show how the basic framework of the problem or puzzle needs to be revised or altered."—Intnl Jrnl Philosophy of Religion"This book convincingly argues from epistemological, ethical, ontological, and political angles that the theological turn of new phenomenology might inform contemporary ethics and politics—not despite its 'God talk,' but because of it . . . . The book is an invaluable resource for those sorting through the theological turn and for those who hear the call of the Other."—Sophia"This book is recommended not only to those with interests in new phenomenology but also to anyone interested in the ongoing debate and discussion on what relationship, if any, religion should have in the public sphere."—The Journal of Religion"This book is an encouraging sign about new directions in Continental philosophy—and Continental philosophy of religion more specifically. . . . Recommended."—Choice"J. Aaron Simmons has firm command not only of recent work on Levinas and Kierkegaard, but also of a wide range of alternatives in analytic philosophy of religion and political philosophy. More than an exercise in analytic-continental bridge building, Simmons moves continental ethics forward and makes it politically worthwhile."—John Davenport, Fordham University"Debates within so-called "continental philosophy" and "analytic philosophy" are far closer to each other than most on either "side" realize. By boldly crossing the continental/analytic divide, J. Aaron Simmons convincingly argues that engagement between the two is not only possible, but necessary. God and the Other is a significant step forward."—Bruce Ellis Benson, Wheaton College"Combines solid research with thoughtful consideration of the issues, and opens up genuinely creative and integrative thinking. . . . Informative, challenging, and provocative."—Jeffrey Dudiak, Kings University College, Edmonton

• AcknowledgmentsList of Abbreviations for Kierkegaard and Levinas TextsIntroduction: God . . . Again—Again . . . God1. The Problem: Richard Rorty's Critique of Emmanuel Levinas—or, Why Continental Ethics and Philosophy of Religion Face Political ChallengesPart 1. A Question of Priority—Levinas and Kierkegaard2. Hearing Divine Commands and Responding to the Call of the Other: A Reading of Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling3. Bi-directional Relationality: Levinasian Readings of the Akedah and the (Dynamic) Ethical in Kierkegaard4. An Ontology of Constitutive Responsibility: Kierkegaardian "Transparency" and Levinasian "Exposure"5. Levinasian Subjectivity and Political CritiquePart 2. Obligation and Transcendence in New Phenomenology6. Mapping Twists and "Turns": An Introduction to the Current Debate and Suggestions for Moving Forward7. Reconstructive Separatism: On Phenomenology and Theology8. Is Continental Philosophy Just Catholicism for Atheists? Critique and KenosisPart 3. Intersections and Applications9. The Religious: Maintaining the Paradox—Wittgenstein and Kierkegaard on Postmodern Christianity10. The Political: Politics as an Ethico-religious Task—Reconsidering Religion in the Public Square11. The Epistemological: Between Trust and Hope—Justification in a Deconstructive Democracy12. The Ethical: Expansive Relationality—Levinas, Community, and Climate Change13. The Ethico-Political: Following Postmodern ExemplarsNotesBibliographyIndex