Acts of Religion

Jacques Derrida teaches at the École des Hautes Études in Paris, at the University of California, Irvine, New York University, and the New School for Social Research. He is the author of more than 30 books including Acts ofLiterature and Specters of Marx, both published by Routledge. Gil Anidjar is Assistant Professor in the Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University.

'A collection of talks and lectures given by Derrida between 1990 and 1998, this book covers a variety of topics: religion, morality, language, the limits of reason, faith and knowledge, relations between Germans and Jews and between Jews and Arabs, war, taking a stand for Algeria, the mystical foundation of authority, and hospitality. Beginning with an editorial introduction by Gil Anidjar (Middle East and Asian languages and cultures, Columbia Univ.), Acts of Religion consists of eight chapters and a bibliography. It is a very significant contribution because it enables the reader to know Derrida's personal views, opinions, values, reflections, and judgments on many topics philosophical, religious, and humanistic...Highly recommended for graduate students and scholars of Derrida.' - R. Puligandla, emeritus, University of Toledo'Acts of Religion is a timely book precisely because it suggests that we are, perhaps always, coming late to religion. The essays compiled here show how questions of faith set demands upon reading that cannot be satisfied in easy ways. The writing here, taking place in various genres, in various modes of address, compel us to rethink fundamental issues of identity, relationality, displacement. To think and read religious questions in this way is not to decide an identity, but to articulate the distinctions among religions and to recognize how we are defined by an inescapable proximity with others, one that opens identity, time, and territory to critical reformulations. Anidjar's introduction is excellent, cautioning us to read well, patiently, and without the expectation that our usual categories will survive intact in the end.' - Judith Butler, University of California at Berkeley'This important collection of essays traces the development of Derrida's long-standing interest in religion into a virtual obsession. In ways difficult to calculate Derrida has become one of the most provocative 'religious' thinkers of our time. Gil Anidjar's fine translation and remarkable introduction show not only the philosophical and theological importance but also the social, political and even economic implications of Derrida's reflections on religion.' - Mark C. Taylor, author of The Moment of Complexity: Emerging Network Culture and Grave Matters'The most important publication in the area of deconstruction and theology this year ... indispensible reading for the many scholars working in this area.' - Critical and Cultural Theory

• Introduction: “Once More, Once More”: Derrida, the Arab, the Jew, Gil Anidjar; Part 1 A Note on “Faith and Knowledge”; Chapter 1 Faith and Knowledge; Part 2 A Note on “Des Tours de Babel”; Chapter 2 Des Tours De Babel; Part 3 A Note on “Interpretations at War”; Chapter 3 Interpretations at War; Part 4 A Note on “The Eyes of Language”; Chapter 4 The Eyes of Language; Part 5 A Note on “Force of Law”; Chapter 5 Force of Law; Part 6 A Note on “Taking a Stand for Algeria”; Chapter 6 Taking a Stand Foralgeria; Part 7 A Note on “A Silkworm of One’s Own”; Chapter 7 A Silkworm Of One’s Own; Part 8 A Note on “Hostipitality”; Chapter 8 Hostipitality;