Dante and Derrida

Francis J. Ambrosio is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and the editor of The Question of Christian Philosophy Today.

"…a valuable book … Ambrosio achieves a portion of his goal of reconciling contemporary 'styles of piety' with Dante's." — Modern Philology"Ambrosio's venture of taking Derrida as his Virgil in reading Dante succeeds quite well … Thanks to Derrida, Ambrosio confirms again what a profound intellectual, even philosophical, challenge Christianity still offers readers of this great poet and thinker." — Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"Francis Ambrosio has carried out a novel and incisive analysis that sheds important light on Derrida's analysis of the aporia of forgiveness by taking up the question of Derrida and Dante. The result is an unusual combination of historical erudition and philosophical insight into one of the most provocative thinkers of our time and an outstanding contribution to continental philosophy of religion." — John D. Caputo, author of The Weakness of God: A Theology of the Event"I like very much the author's imaginative, audacious, writerly engagement with the texts he interprets. There is much that is provocative in these readings, and the flair and style of the writer's language—in many ways an extension of Derrida's own style of writing and interpretation—announce an appreciable new talent." — William Franke, author of Dante's Interpretive Journey

• On the Pre-text or As a Pre-face AcknowledgmentsList of Abbreviations Introduction 1. Vita Nuova: The Promise of Writing The Secret of Beginning: A ParableThe Promise of a New LifeTranscribing the Promise2. Inferno: The Aporia of Forgiveness Writing in Exile"I Desire Mercy, not Sacrifice"3. Purgatorio: Re-turning to the Scene of Forgiveness Accepting ForgivenessForgiving Gives Giving4. Paradiso: Turning Tears into Smiles Enjoying ForgivenessDante’s Portrait GalleryConclusion In Memoriam: A Smile in Passing NotesIndex