Speaking of Freedom

Diane Enns is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at McMaster University.

"This book manages to convince the reader that speaking of freedom really matters. Enns focuses judiciously and expertly on the influential theories of freedom running from existentialism and phenomenology to deconstruction and post-structuralism. She brings a real sense of engagement to her study which makes the arguments lift off the page." - Richard Kearney (Boston College) "Diane Enns's important book moves this debate to a new, higher ground by combining a sweeping knowledge of the philosophical literature with perceptive readings of the writings of such political leaders as Albert Memmi, Steven Biko, and the theorists of the Zapatista movement...In short, this is a remarkable book—provocative, well argued, and responsible, both philosophically and politically." - Hypatia

• Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: Speaking of Freedom the aporia of freedom emancipatory desire the phenomenological tradition overview I. Condemned to Freedom The existential subject and its other Condemned to freedom Between transcendence and immanence The intentional world An ethic of disalienation The event II. The Experience of Unfreedom The dehumanized other Black consciousness Real women Freedom beyond power III. The Limited Use of an Empty Freedom Paradoxes of power The return of the repressive hypothesis The empty dream of freedom The endless question of freedom IV. Unforeseeable Freedom A historically well-determined little pedagogy Egological politics Inventing another gesture This is what is called freedom Messianicity without messianism V. A Dream Compels Us The myth, the ethos and the proyecto Reinventing revolution On the grave of state power Dreaming freedom Pardon? Afterword Notes Index