Preamble: Travels in Nihilon (a) Philosophy begins in disappointment (b) Pre-Nietzschean nihilism (c) Nietzschean nihilism (d) Responding to nihilism: five possibilities (e) Heidegger’s transformation of Nietzschean nihilism (f) Heidegger contra Jünger (g) Impossible redemption: Adorno on nihilism (h) Learning how to die – the argument Almost Nothing – David Connearn 2003Ībbreviations Preface to Second Edition: As my father, I have already died In memory of William James Critchley Born 10th February 1929 Died 28th December 1994 Literature, Modern – History and criticism. Includes bibliographical references and index. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Critchley, Simon, 1960– Very little – almost nothing : death, philosophy, literature / Simon Critchley. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. © 1997, 2004 Simon Critchley All rights reserved. Almost Nothing Death, Philosophy, Literatureįirst published 1997 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 Second edition published 2004 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2004. He is author and editor of many books including The Ethics of Deconstruction and On Humour (also published by Routledge). Simon Critchley is Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research, New York and at the University of Essex, and Directeur de Programme, College International de Philosophie, Paris. This second edition has added a revealing new preface, and a new chapter on Wallace Stevens which reflects on the idea of poetry as philosophy. Simon Critchley traces the idea of nihilism from Jena Romanticism to Cavell and Blanchot, culminating in a reading of Beckett, in many ways the hero of the book. Almost Nothing is a profound but secular meditation on the theme of death, putting the question of the meaning of life back at the centre of intellectual debate. It is the most original and enlightening book I know about the so-called nihilism of present times and its genealogy and a key book for the understanding of the contemporary condition of man.’ Michel Haar, Université de Paris Very Little. The book is at all times sibylline, moving, insightful, explorative.’ Colin Davis, French Studies ‘Altogether beautifully written, with rich and deep insights. Almost Nothing manages with some aplomb, to pull off the extraordinarily difficult task of saying something new and interesting about Beckett and Blanchot.’ Martin McQuillan, New Formations ‘Critchley keeps his writings for the most part powerful and elegant, wide-ranging but well-focussed. Critchley’s steadfastly postKantian rejection of theological answers to the questions he asks is very welcome.’ Andrew Bowie, Radical Philosophy ‘Very Little. It also commands respect because it obliges one to examine the fictions one employs to avoid really doing philosophy. it makes philosophical conversation possible again after two decades of pragmatist intolerance.’ Roger Poole, Parallax ‘(T)his is an often beautifully written philosophical act of mourning.
Almost Nothing ‘This is a very brave book.
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