Between Myth and Nihilism: Community in Jean-luc Nancy's Philosophy

Jean-Luc Nancy is known to be one of the principal contributors to postmodern theory of community. This book examines Nancy's concept of community as it is presented in his two books The Sense of the World" and "The Inoperative Community". To obviate both myth and nihilism Nancy suggests a concept of community based on the ontology of event. At the same time he proceeds from the experience of addressing and exposing which in fact exceeds this ontology. Moreover it implies different ethical attitude - addressing/exposing and establishing ties with others instead of maintaining flowing identity (openness toward the coming). Therefore Nancy's approach - in spite of his own intention - demonstrates the impossibility of reducing community to ontology. Community calls for the deciding subject the one who is not merely an effect of differance but devotes her- or himself to the very project of "being-together". The book is intended for those interested in philosophy literary and political studies as well as French studies. "PHI000000Oleg Domanov PhD. Studied Philosophy at Novosibirsk State University and Gender Studies at Central European University, Budapest and Open University, London. He is currently a researcher at the Institute for Philosophy and Law in Novosibirsk.