the unlearned lessons of the twentieth century - Intercollegiate ...

THE UNLEARNED LESSONS
OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
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CROSSCURRENTS
ISI Books’ Crosscurrents series makes available in English, usually for the
first time, new translations of both classic and contemporary works by
authors working within, or with crucial importance for, the conservative,
religious, and humanist intellectual traditions.
Titles in series
Icarus Fallen, by Chantal Delsol, trans. by Robin Dick
Critics of the Enlightenment, ed. and trans. by Christopher O. Blum
Equality by Default, by Philippe Bénéton, trans. by Ralph C. Hancock
Editorial advisory board
BRIAN C. ANDERSON, Manhattan Institute
ROBERT HOLLANDER, Princeton University
DANIEL J. MAHONEY, Assumption College
VIRGIL NEMOIANU, The Catholic University of America
ROBERT ROYAL, Faith & Reason Institute
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THE UNLEARNED LESSONS
OF THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY
AN ESSAY ON LATE MODERNITY
Chantal Delsol
TRANSLATED BY Robin Dick
ISI Books
Wilmington, Delaware
2006
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© Editions de la Table Ronde 2000
Originally published in France as Eloge de la Singularité
English translation © 2006 ISI Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information
storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing
from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection
with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.
Delsol, Chantal, 1947–
The unlearned lessons of the twentieth century : an essay on late modernity /
Chantal Delsol ; translated by Robin Dick. — 1st ed. — Wilmington, Del. :
ISI Books, 2006.
p. ; cm.
ISBN-13: 978-1-932236-46-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-932236-47-7 (pbk.)
ISBN-10: 1-932236-46-5
ISBN-10: 1-932236-47-3 (pbk.)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Philosophy and civilization. 2. Philosophy, Modern—21st century.
3. Humanism. 4. Postmodernism. I. Dick, Robin. II. Title.
B59 .D45 2006
306.01—dc22 0607
Library of Congress Control Number: 2006925554
Book design by Kathryn Smith
Published in the United States by:
ISI Books
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Post Office Box 4431
Wilmington, DE 19807-0431
www.isibooks.org
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
I NTRODUCTION / page 1
CHAPTER 2
T HE INSULARITY OF THE HUMAN SPECIES / page 11
CHAPTER 3
T HE UNALTERABLE HUMAN FORM, OR THE LESSONS
OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY / page 27
CHAPTER 4
D ERISION AND REVOLT / page 35
CHAPTER 5
T HE TRACES OF A WOUNDED ANIMAL / page 47
CHAPTER 6
I NSUFFICIENCY AND THE HUMAN WORLD / page 57
CHAPTER 7
M UST THE SUBJECT BE SAVED? / page 71
CHAPTER 8
T HE MODERN SUBJECT, OR INCOMPLETE CERTITUDES / page 85
CHAPTER 9
T HE FIGURE OF THE WITNESS / page 107
CHAPTER 10
C OMMON VALUES AS LANGUAGE / page 123
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THE UNLEARNED LESSONS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
CHAPTER 11
E CONOMICS AS RELIGION AND THE
P ARADOXES OF MATERIALISM / page 137
CHAPTER 12
H UMAN RIGHTS, BODY AND SOUL / page 153
CHAPTER 13
T HE UNIVERSAL AS PROMISE / page 159
CHAPTER 14
T HE UBIQUITY OF EVIL / page 173
CHAPTER 15
I NTERIORITY AND ETERNITY / page 187
CHAPTER 16
C ONCLUSION / page 197
NOTES / page 203
INDEX / page 213
vi
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