In this bold interdisciplinary work, Geoffrey Galt Harpham argues that asceticism has played a major role in shaping Western ideas of the body, writing, ethics, and aesthetics. He suggests that we consider the ascetic as the 'cultural' element in culture, and presents a close analysis of works by Athanasius, Augustine, Matthias, Grunewald, Nietzsche, Foucault, and other thinkers as proof of the extent of asceticism's resources. Harpham demonstrates the usefulness of his findings by deriving from asceticism a discourse of resistance, a code of interpretation ultimately more generous and humane than those currently available to us.
- ISBN10 6613242233
- ISBN13 9786613242235
- Publish Date 15 January 2011 (first published 1 February 1988)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 7 December 2011
- Publish Country US
- Imprint University of Chicago Press
- Format eBook
- Language English