The Ascetic Imperative in Culture and CriticismUniversity of Chicago Press, 1992 M02 15 - 343 pages 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, Grünewald, 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. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
according analysis Anthony Anthony's appears argues artist ascesis ascetic ascetic linguistics asceticism assent Athanasius Augustine Augustine of Hippo Augustine's Barthes Bersani calls cenobite Christ closure coherence concept Confessions conscience constitute conversion critical theory criticism critique Crucifixion culture defined demons Derrida describes desert desire discipline discourse divine eremite essay essence ethical figure force formalism Foucault Freud function Gadamer genealogy gesture Grünewald hagiography Heidegger hermeneutics human ideal imitation impulse insists instinct interpretation Isenheim Altar Julia Kristeva Kristeva language Leo Bersani literary logocentrism Matthias Grünewald meaning metonomy mode narrative narratology nature Nietzsche Nietzsche's notion object opposition origin paintings perfect Peter Brown philosophy pleasure principle reader reading representation represented resistance ressentiment rhetoric Ricoeur rigor Roland Barthes says Scripture second position sense sexuality signs simply soul speech structure temporal temptation textuality theory thought tion tradition transcendence transgression truth understanding words worldly writing