Matt, wonderful post. I'm looking forward to updates.
A couple of points to keep the conversation going. About Badiou and Derrida.
(have no desire to bind this post to the enormous Theory -- or is it theory? -- thread below, though one can wonder why when a post like yours takes the trouble to extensively quote, give to read, it remains without response?)
Anyway, the two points:
1) Derrida writes -- in one of your above quotes -- "leave the event to others!" Now there is precisely something Badiou could never tolerate. For Badiou, philosophy must take charge of the event, "gather the indiscernables". Why can Badiou ( and philosophy ) not let go?
2) As for Badiou's set theory, it would be possible to argue that it is founded on a prior distinction: the de-suturation of poetry and philosophy. Without the expulsion of the poem, the matheme ( and set theory ) cannot properly take charge of things.
( Needless to add, these comments/questions are meant as part of a conversation, open to discussion.)
amie | 08.16.05 - 2:28 pm | #

I love Gift of Death, though I agree it's remarkably difficult, especially compared to Aporias the book that's arguably its precursor. Maybe a sustained, collaborative reading effort might be worth our time?

I'll check out the Agamben link, too. Thanks for that.
Kenneth Rufo | Homepage | 08.16.05 - 2:57 pm | #

Amie, I didn't think that point would be lost on you. Do you take him to be slyly referring to B. there? The tribute later given would seem to suggest that it was heard as such, in any case (and in addition to the passage I've now added above).

Kenneth, I might be very interested. Not everyone thinks blogs are suited for such things; I think they can be. If one is willing to forfeit the ego's quest for traffic anyway. Interesting that you see Aporias as the precursor..
Matt | 08.16.05 - 11:08 pm | #

Matt and Kenneth, I would sign up for an online reading through of "The Gift of Death".
By the by, I noticed the continuing augmentation of the 'theory' thread below. Was quite tempted to respond to 'the story' about the cover of "Theory's Empire" by one of the editors (?). As with all stories, it raises more questions than it answers. Sorry to bring it up, but it's only because I remembered that the cover of the english translation of "Gift of Death" has the great engraving by Rembrandt, which in turn reminded me of the remarkable reading by Levinas of the engraving. I cannot remember where precisely it is, though I will try to find it. As I recall, Levinas is particularly attentive to the fact that the engraving has Abraham covering Isaac's eyes. So Levinas suggests, even before the angel arrived with God's word, to arrest Abraham's hand, Isaac's mortal gaze had already stayed it.
amie | 08.17.05 - 12:39 am | #

Hadn't heard that; a lovely interpretation. Why is it always necessary to cover the eyes of the about-to-be-sacrificed/executed? Of course Abraham has another hand, the one with the knife in it, but you're right, the one the angel reaches for at the wrist is the one covering Isaac's eyes. With the other hand the angel gently grasps A's knife-weilding arm at the elbow...A's face is.. terrified, beardly and miserable. I'll put up an image above.
Matt | 08.17.05 - 12:37 pm | #

Nice scans. So about the reading of GOD, I say let's indeed. We'll see if anyone else wants to be involved, and then we can just pick some dates, and offer some readings of the text, section by section, or more wholistically. I'd advocate everyone trying to offer thoughts on the same sections rather than divying it up, since I think the different thoughts by provoke some interesting conversation. Sound right?
Kenneth Rufo | Homepage | 08.18.05 - 5:03 pm | #

Sure. Care to do it on Sundays?
Matt | Homepage | 08.18.05 - 5:44 pm | #

Matt, Kenneth

Sundays sound good to me for addressing GOD. Stupid me had never recognized that 'little' anagram/abbreviation of 'Gift of Death'! I hope that doesn't mean I'm not qualified for the reading group!
I'm not one to ever want to pre-determine the rhythm at which things ( do not ) happen but could we proceed with a slow and measured pace?
I know the (blog) world is about speed, but we'll never be be able to outrun ( the gift of ) death will we, so why not challenge it by not being afraid to go slow?
amie | 08.18.05 - 9:31 pm | #

Alright, sunday sounds great. Amie, if you'd like to post whatever comments or thoughts you have through me over at ghostinthewire, let me know, I can post them as independent entries, or you can grab a blogger or a squarespace account if you want to do so.

But if we can, let's put it off for a week? I want to re-read Aporias before we start, and to be honest, a grad student here has my copy of GOD at present and I need to get it back from him. *grin*
Kenneth Rufo | Homepage | 08.18.05 - 9:32 pm | #

...or we could all do it at Long Sunday; Kenneth you'd be welcome to guest post there as well...help balance out the Zizek, but as you wish.
Matt | Homepage | 08.18.05 - 10:23 pm | #

as for where to have the discussion, it's up to you, though I suppose my vote would be for Long Sunday, as I am feeling guilty about my lack of contribution there.
and yes some balancing out of SZ would be good.
amie | 08.19.05 - 2:02 pm | #

Does anyone have access to a copy of Derrida's "Biodegradables: Seven Diary Fragments" (Critical Inquiry, 1989)?
Matt | Homepage | 08.20.05 - 5:30 pm | #

If you're still interested, I'd love to join Long Sunday, if they're interested. Otherwise (and perhaps and) I'll be posting some thoughts chapter one on Ghost.
Kenneth Rufo | Homepage | 08.27.05 - 5:55 am | #

Kenneth, how about we tackle chapter one next Sunday, with a collaborative post on Long Sunday--or crossposted if you wish? In the meantime feel free to email; couldn't seem to find your address anywhere on your excellent blog.
Matt | Homepage | 08.28.05 - 11:17 am | #

Oh, right, I don't have an email on there. I really do need to get that site finished sometime soon. The past week or two has seen so much random prep work and orientation for the new job, I've been putting much of the fun stuff on hold.

Alright, so next sunday, a long sunday so-to-speak. If you want to post something collaborative, perhaps we could exchange snippets sometime midweek, either once or multiple times during the week? Might be kind of interesting.

And that way I can explore some of my thoughts about the relationship between Aporias and GOD. Anyway, you can reach me at ken.rufo@gmail.com.
Kenneth Rufo | Homepage | 08.28.05 - 9:37 pm | #