Overview

The Risk of Freedom presents an in-depth analysis of the philosophy of Jan Patočka, one of the most influential Central European thinkers of the twentieth century, examining both the phenomenological and ethical-political aspects of his work. In particular, Francesco Tava takes an original approach to the problem of freedom, which represents a recurring theme in Patočka’s work, both in his early and later writings. Freedom is conceived of as a difficult and dangerous experience. In his deep analysis of this particular problem, Tava identifies the authentic ethical content of Patočka’s work and clarifies its connections with phenomenology, history of philosophy, politics and dissidence. The Risk of Freedom retraces Patočka’s philosophical journey and elucidates its more problematic and less evident traits, such as his original ethical conception, his political ideals and his direct commitment as a dissident.

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9781783483778

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Reviews

Jan Patocka has been recognized throughout the world for his dissidence and sacrifice as the spokesperson of Charta 77. Yet rarely has the profound rootedness of his political actions in his philosophy been articulated as lucidly as in this book. This is a welcome translation of a significant work on an uncommon and complex thinker of the contemporary human condition. -- James Dodd, Associate Professor of Philosophy, New School for Social Research, New York

Jan Patocka has been recognized throughout the world for his dissidence and sacrifice as the spokesperson of Charta 77. Yet rarely has the profound rootedness of his political actions in his philosophy been articulated as lucidly as in this book. This is a welcome translation of a significant work on an uncommon and complex thinker of the contemporary human condition. -- James Dodd, Associate Professor of Philosophy, New School for Social Research, New York Francesco Tava offers a strikingly fresh perspective on the thought of Czech philosopher and dissident, Jan Patocka. No longer can phenomenology be understood as unworldy or disengaged, Tava describes a style of thinking that places ethics and politics at the very centre of what it means to be a human subject. Freedom is a risk that we take as worldly, corporeal beings; and it is only in taking this risk that we become truly human. This is important reading for anyone interested in the development of central European philosophy and phenomenology. -- Darian Meacham, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of the West of England

Author Information

Francesco Tava is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Husserl-Archives: Centre for Phenomenology and Continental Philosophy at the KU Leuven, Belgium. Since 2011 he has held several research fellowships at the Jan Patočka Archive in Prague. Jane Ledlie, the translator, holds an MA in Translation Studies from the University of Bristol and is a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.

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