Double Vision (ebook)

Argumento de Double Vision (ebook)

"Young philosopher Tzachi Zamir's Double Vision . . . stands head and shoulders above its rivals in the enterprise of doing philosophy by consulting works of literature."--Martha C. Nussbaum, The Australian

"An extraordinary book. The general philosophy of literature in Part I, 'Philosophical Criticism in Theory,' is as nuanced, careful, and comprehensive in treating philosophical theories of the value and significance of literature (cognitive and moral) as anything in the professional literature. Part II, 'Philosophical Criticism in Practice,' consisting of seven chapters, each on an individual play of Shakespeare's, is profound."--Richard Eldridge, Swarthmore College, Iyyun

"Zamir . . . here shows how philosophy needs Shakespeare. Indeed, his pages on Macbeth bring the philosophy of nihilism alive while attending to the particularities of the text. . . . This book should have a readership beyond schools where one may hope it becomes required reading."--Tom D'Evelyn, Providence Journal

"Double Vision remains one of the most important considerations of the relationship between philosophy and Shakespeare's drama since Stanley Cavell's Disowning Knowledge. Even those who are confirmed in their suspicion of the claims of philosophy regarding literature and their commitment to historicism should open themselves to the canniness of its arguments and the originality of its engagement with Shakespeare."--David Schalkwyk, European Legacy

"Zamir writes as someone capable of being puzzled, capable of delving into the painful or exhilarating depths of certain problems with Shakespeare as his guide rather than his pupil. Double Vision is quite a brilliant book. . . . Double Vision owes its success precisely to this capacity for philosophical puzzlement, for laying the plays newly open both to emotional experience and to serious reflection."--Martha Nussbaum, The New Republic

"I have only admiration for the honesty of Zamir's readings and for the remarkable intelligence of his project. Double Vision is beautifully written, moving, witty, and convincing. The arguments presented are complex and subtle, but the reasoning is lucid. Great care has been taken here to avoid the kind of obscurity one often finds in theoretical treatments of literary questions. It will have enormous value for teachers of Shakespeare and for the artists who perform his works on stage. It should have even greater value for scholars and critics."--Michael D. Bristol, Shakespeare Studies

"Zamir's book is an intelligent and provocative justification for how literary rhetoric can articulate and test moral belief. He writes with the economy and power of one well-versed in contemporary analytic philosophy, and he offers an impressive grasp of Renaissance drama and classical literature."--Charles Alteieri, British Journal of Aesthetics

"Tzachi Zamir's Double Vision: Moral Philosophy and Shakespearean Drama is a thoughtful and impressive book about literature's connection to moral knowledge. Of particular note is Double Vision's double objective: it is both a work about our ethical engagement with literature and a work that engages us ethically with literature."--Stephanie Partridge, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism

"This is the best book on the relationship between philosophy and literature that I have seen in a long time. The philosophical analysis is cogent and extensive, offering much more philosophical detail than most books in this line. The responses to opponents of philosophical interpretation are very imaginative and convincing. And the readings of Shakespeare are stunning in their insightfulness, textual detail, and fruitfulness for philosophical reflection."--Martha Nussbaum, University of Chicago

"This is an original and important book. I shall urge my colleagues to read it, and I look forward to citing it in my own work. His readings of Shakespeare will be of great value to literary critics, and I think will help to sell literature to philosophers."--William Flesch, Brandeis University0Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi

PART I: PHILOSOPHICAL CRITICISM IN THEORY 1

The Epistemological Basis of Philosophical Criticism 3
The Moral Basis of Philosophical Criticism 20
Philosophical Criticism and Contemporary Literary Studies 44

PART II: PHILOSOPHICAL CRITICISM IN PRACTICE 63

A Case of Unfair Proportions 65
Upon One Bank and Shoal of Time 92
Love Stories 112
Making Love 129
On Being Too Deeply Loved 151
Doing Nothing 168
King Lear's Hidden Tragedy 183

Appendix A: A Note on Lear's Motivation 205
Appendix B: A Note on Shakespeare and Rhetoric 211

Works Cited 213
Index 225