Title
Downcast Eyes: The Denigration of Vision in TwentiethCentury French Thought,Used
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Long considered 'the noblest of the senses,' vision has increasingly come under critical scrutiny by a wide range of thinkers who question its dominance in Western culture. These critics of vision, especially prominent in twentiethcentury France, have challenged its allegedly superior capacity to provide access to the world. They have also criticized its supposed complicity with political and social oppression through the promulgation of spectacle and surveillance.Martin Jay turns to this discourse surrounding vision and explores its often contradictory implications in the work of such influential figures as JeanPaul Sartre, Maurice MerleauPonty, Michel Foucault, Jacques Lacan, Louis Althusser, Guy Debord, Luce Irigaray, Emmanuel Levinas, and Jacques Derrida. Jay begins with a discussion of the theory of vision from Plato to Descartes, then considers its role in the French Enlightenment before turning to its status in the culture of modernity. From consideration of French Impressionism to analysis of Georges Bataille and the Surrealists, Roland Barthes's writings on photography, and the film theory of Christian Metz, Jay provides lucid and fairminded accounts of thinkers and ideas widely known for their difficulty.His book examines the myriad links between the interrogation of vision and the pervasive antihumanist, antimodernist, and counterenlightenment tenor of much recent French thought. Refusing, however, to defend the dominant visual order, he calls instead for a plurality of 'scopic regimes.' Certain to generate controversy and discussion throughout the humanities and social sciences, Downcast Eyes will consolidate Jay's reputation as one of today's premier cultural and intellectual historians.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Downcast Eyes' by Martin Jay? A: The main theme of 'Downcast Eyes' revolves around the critical examination of vision as a dominant sense in Western culture, especially in the context of twentieth-century French thought.
- Q: Who are some of the thinkers discussed in this book? A: The book discusses influential figures such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Michel Foucault, Jacques Lacan, and Luce Irigaray, among others.
- Q: What is the significance of vision in the context of the book? A: Vision is portrayed as a sense that has been historically privileged, yet it is critiqued for its complicity in social and political oppression, highlighting the need for alternative 'scopic regimes'.
- Q: Is 'Downcast Eyes' suitable for beginners in philosophy? A: While the book offers insightful analyses, it engages with complex ideas and may be more suitable for readers with some background in philosophy or critical theory.
- Q: How many pages does 'Downcast Eyes' contain? A: The book contains 648 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of its themes.
- Q: What type of binding does this edition have? A: This edition of 'Downcast Eyes' is available in hardcover binding, which enhances its durability.
- Q: When was 'Downcast Eyes' published? A: The book was published on October 1, 1993.
- Q: What condition is the book in if labeled as 'Good'? A: A book labeled as 'Good' typically shows signs of wear but remains in acceptable condition for reading.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations or images? A: The book primarily focuses on text and critical analysis, and it does not prominently feature illustrations or images.
- Q: Can 'Downcast Eyes' contribute to discussions in humanities and social sciences? A: Yes, the book is expected to generate discussion and controversy in fields like humanities and social sciences due to its critical perspective on vision.