Lyotard

Jean-Fran ois Lyotard was one of the most influential European thinkers in recent decades. He was a leading participant in debates about post-modernism and the decline of Marxism, and he made important contributions to ethics, aesthetics and political philosophy. In this authoritative introduction, Williams tracks the development of Lyotard's thought from his early writings on the libidinal economy to his more recent work on the post-modern condition. Williams argues that despite the wide-ranging character of Lyotard's writings, they are animated by a long-standing concern to develop a new theory of political action. Lyotard's productive use of avant-garde art and the aesthetics of the sublime are interpreted within this context. In the final chapters some of the main criticisms that have been levelled at Lyotard's work are outlined and assessed. A challenging but also accessible book, it will be welcomed by students and researchers in continental philosophy, literary theory and the humanities generally.

Jean-François Lyotard was one of the most influential Europeanthinkers in recent decades. He was a leading participant in debatesabout post-modernism and the decline of Marxism, and he madeimportant contributions to ethics, aesthetics and politicalphilosophy.In this authoritative introduction, Williams tracks thedevelopment of Lyotard's thought from his early writings on thelibidinal economy to his more recent work on the post-moderncondition. Williams argues that despite the wide-ranging characterof Lyotard's writings, they are animated by a long-standing concernto develop a new theory of political action. Lyotard's productiveuse of avant-garde art and the aesthetics of the sublime areinterpreted within this context. In the final chapters some of themain criticisms that have been levelled at Lyotard's work areoutlined and assessed.A challenging but also accessible book, it will be welcomed bystudents and researchers in continental philosophy, literary theoryand the humanities generally.

Acknowledgements.1. Introduction: Rethinking the Political.2. Lyotard's Materialism.3. States of Society: The Postmodern Condition.4. States of Society: The Libidinal Economy.5. Methodology.6. Politics.7. Hegel, Levinas and Capital.8. Critical Debates.References.Index.