The Neutral
Lecture Course at the College de France (1977-1978)
Roland Barthes author Rosalind Krauss translator Denis Hollier translator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Columbia University Press
Published:22nd Jul '05
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
In The Neutral, Roland Barthes examines the concept of Neutrality through 23 figures, challenging established paradigms in Western thought and exploring their implications.
In The Neutral, Roland Barthes explores a fascinating concept that transcends traditional paradigms. He introduces 23 'figures,' also known as 'traits' or 'twinklings,' which embody either the Neutral—concepts such as sleep, silence, and tact—or the anti-Neutral, represented by anger, arrogance, and conflict. Barthes defines the Neutral as that which defies established paradigms, claiming that it encompasses everything that eludes conventional understanding. This exploration is rooted in a series of lectures delivered in 1978 at the Collège de France, which reveal Barthes's unique style as both a thinker and educator.
The lectures, posthumously published in France in 2002 and appearing in English for the first time, provide insight into Barthes's intellectual journey. He critiques the binary oppositions that dominate Western thought, which permeate various facets of society, including language, sexuality, and politics. Barthes argues that the pursuit of escaping these binaries carries significant ethical, philosophical, and linguistic consequences. His approach is enriched by references to a wide array of authors, including Lao-tzu, Tolstoy, and Rousseau, showcasing his ability to weave together diverse intellectual traditions.
Barthes's idiosyncratic style infuses The Neutral with a sense of playfulness and personal reflection. His lectures are not only academic but also deeply personal, influenced by his own life experiences, particularly the recent loss of his mother. This poignant context adds depth to his discussions, allowing readers to appreciate the emotional resonance behind his philosophical inquiries.
Insightful comments on topics from negative theology to Thomas De Quincy's drug use. Library Journal His thinking in The Neutral, had never been so mournful, so ample, so warm, so unembarrassed, so alive. -- Wayne Koestenbaum Artforum Remarkable for the combination of intensely personal and idiosyncratic preoccupations with immensely wide literary and philosophical reference points.Times Literary Supplement -- Michael Sheringham Times Literary Supplement A powerful lesson about the balanced, engaged life. Rain Taxi, online edition An excellent English translation... This is a beautiful book. -- Sharon M. Meagher Philosophy In Review
ISBN: 9780231134040
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
312 pages