Strangers, Gods and Monsters is a fascinating look at how human identity is shaped by three powerful but enigmatic forces. Often overlooked in accounts of how we think about ourselves and others, Richard Kearney skilfully shows, with the help of vivid examples and illustrations, how the human outlook on the world is formed by the mysterious triumvirate of strangers, gods and monsters.
Throughout, Richard Kearney shows how Strangers, Gods and Monsters do not merely reside in myths or fantasies but constitute a central part of our cultural unconscious. Above all, he argues that until we understand better that the Other resides deep within ourselves, we can have little hope of understanding how our most basic fears and desires manifest themselves in the external world and how we can learn to live with them.

About the Author

Richard Kearney is Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and University College Dublin. His publications include On Stories,Wake of Imagination and Postnationalist Ireland (all published by Routledge), and Sam's Fall (novel).

Reviews

'With a combination of philosophical rigour, clear-headedness, and generosity that we have come to expect from Kearney, Strangers, Gods and Monsters brings to the table many insights and at least as many questions as he invites us to get to know our others and, in the process, ourselves in new and transformative ways.' - The Hedgehog Review

'While the call to pardon monsters must remain open for philosophical argument, Kearney pleasingly and provocatively continues the conversation started by Socrates in The Republic when he asked pious old Cephalus: What is justice?' - Symposium Vol 7

'It is important to acknowledge the contribution ... to the re-evaluation of a concept (i.e mediation) whose fate after hegel has much been debated.' - Critical and Cultural Theory

Book Information
ISBN 9780415272582
Author Richard Kearney
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 476g