Impossible Objects

Impossible objects are those about which the philosopher, narrowly conceived, can hardly speak: poetry, film, music, humour. Such 'objects' do not rely on philosophy for interpretation and understanding; they are already independent practices and sites of sensuous meaning production. As Elvis Costello has said, 'writing about music, is like dancing about architecture'. We don't need literary theory in order to be riveted by the poem, nor a critic's analysis to enjoy a film. How then can philosophy speak about anything outside of itself, namely all of those things which actually matter to us in this world. In Impossible Objects, Simon Critchley - one of the most influential and insightful philosophers writing today - extends his philosophical investigation into non-philosophical territories, including discussions on tragedy, poetry, humour and music. Moving effortlessly from military neo-liberalism to the poetry of Wallace Stevens, from the left's 'motivational deficit' to Greek Tragedy, and from political and religious disappointment to humour, the book provides a penetrating insight into the work of this philosopher. In a series of engaging and enlightening conversations, Critchley reflects on his early work on the ethics of deconstruction; the recurring themes of mortality and nihilism; his defense of neo-anarchism; and his recent investigation into secular faith, or 'a faith of the faithless'. Essential reading for those seeking to explore the relationship between the 'impossible objects' which give life meaning and the philosophical world, this book will be of great interest to artists, academics and general readers alike.

Simon Critchley is Hans Jonas Professor at the New School for Social Research in New York and part-time Professor of Philosophy at Tilburg University. Carl Cederstrm is Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Cardiff University. Todd Kesselman is a PhD Candidate at The New School for Social Research.