In general, the Sartrean concept of the subject as "being-for-self" and "being-for-others" is read as if Sartre had sketched these structures as given "a priori" and therefore as unalterable . One of the consequences of this interpretation lies in calling Sartre's theory contradictory, especially with regard to his ethics, because of the assumption that, based on this concept, changing the inauthentic structures of the subject into authentic ones would be impossible. Contrary to this interpretation, I argue that Sartre's philosophical theory (...) is by no means contradictory, neither in its relation to ethics nor as it relates to the complete edition of Sartre's philosophical writing, if one tries to understand what kind of theoretical requirements Sartre considered to be relevant and necessary . From this point of view, it is possible to work out an adequate and consistent interpretation. In order for me to argue for the immanent consistency of Sartre's theory and for the resulting possibility of an ethical theory based on it, I will discuss some aspects of the relation between epistemological, ontological and ethical elements within Sartre's philosophical system. (shrink)

The article focuses on three aspects of Judith Butler′s ethical deliberations: On the one hand it presents Butler′s tri-relational ethic′s model with its three moments – social norms, the speaking 'You′ and the addressed 'I′ – all depending on each other reciprocally. Butler states that ethical models theorizing subjectification which ignore the constitutive function of these three moments are at risk of being violent, because they make demands which cannot be met. On the other hand the article investigates the instrumental (...) and constitutional function of language, because language acts not only by sustaining and passing on, but can affect changes as well. Finally it sketches the consequences of the model for concepts such as 'responsibility′ which are basically altered in their semantic and structural contents. (shrink)

Judith Butler zählt zu den bedeutendsten zeitgenössischen Denker*innen im Bereich der Geistes-, Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften sowie der Gender Studies und der Queer Theory. Darüber hinaus ist ihr Beitrag zur politischen Philosophie kaum zu unterschätzen. Dieser Band versammelt - neben einem Originaltext von Butler und einem Roundtable-Gespräch - Artikel ausgewiesener Expert*innen, die aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven die Dimensionen des Politischen in Butlers Arbeiten kritisch würdigen. Schwerpunkte sind das Verhältnis von Philosophie, Theorie und politischer Praxis, die Konstitution politischer Subjektivität, die Möglichkeiten politischer Handlungsfähigkeit (...) sowie das emanzipatorische Potenzial performativer Körperpraktiken. (shrink)