Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 16:55:36 -0400
From: "Shawn P. Wilbur" <swilbur-AT-wcnet.org>
Subject: Re: [postanarchism] Philosophy in a Time of Terror


Tom,

Here's the first instance, if i recall correctly, where you expressed this particular concern. What have i missed?

-shawn

"--- I really don't see how to take justice as "the possibility of the
impossible", to remove it so abtractly from so many basic conditions and
situations of justice: a harm, a wrong, an economic injustice, breaking a
law, the situation of a trial, the petition for justice, "no jusitce, no
peace!", etc. While in many such contexts the orientation towards the
possibility of the impossible is crucial, ultimately isn't it that the
possibility of the impossible is important *for* something: for, in
particular, the amelioration of a harm/violence?"



Shawn P. Wilbur wrote:

> Tom Blancato wrote:
> On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 14:39:29 -0400, Shawn P. Wilbur 
> <swilbur-AT-wcnet.org> wrote:
>
>>
>>> Tom's concern that the conception of justice as "experience of the 
>>> possibility of the impossible" is divorced from the "real reasons" 
>>> we desire justice is, i think, addressed here, as Derrida discusses 
>>> a range of issues, from his childhood in Algeria through his 
>>> responses to events in South Africa, the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, 
>>> Palestine, etc. He is also clear and critical in his responses to US 
>>> foreign policy.
>>
>>
>> I'm concerned that that may not be an adequate reduction of my concerns.
>
>
> Well, Tom, it seems to me that that was *one* of your concerns, 
> expressed on a couple of occasions during our earlier encounter. I 
> understand that, for you, there is also the hypothesis of an "ur 
> nonviolence," but, honestly, i am no closer to understanding this 
> "irruptive" (that is, invasive and/or violent) "nonviolence" than i 
> was when last we communicated.  Another of your stated concerns was 
> the difficulty of Derrida's work. You might find this particular text 
> rather wonderfully concrete and straightforward.
>
> -shawn
>
>> Tom
>>
>>
>
>