Reconsidering Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness: Arendt, Derrida, and "Care for the World"

Reconsidering Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness presents a world-centric, ‘caring’ conceptualization of cosmopolitanism and forgiveness grounded in the thought of two radical, twentieth-century continental thinkers: Hannah Arendt and Jacques Derrida. It fundamentally re-evaluates what it means to care for the world in ‘dark times’ and develops a political theory of repairing, preserving and cultivating the relationships which constitute the human community. This interdisciplinary book reveals how cosmopolitanism and forgiveness each care for the powerful experience of human freedom: the power to begin new courses of political action with a plurality of people in the public realm. It not only casts new light on the political thought of both Arendt and Derrida but also contributes to ongoing debates about the nature of political spaces, the possibility for collective political action, and the importance of cultivating encounters with the unknown Other in today’s digitally interconnected world.

Table of Contents:
Introduction / 1. Derrida: On Forgiveness and on cosmopolitanism / 2. Arendt: On forgiveness and 'care for the world' / 3. Caring Cosmopolitanism: Worldly Stories and narrative voices / 4. Caring in Time: Negotiating the gap 'between past and future' / Conclusion / Bibliography

About the Author :
Christopher Peys is a Rotary International Global Grant Scholar and an award winning educator at the University of St. Andrews. As an international political theorist, his work seeks to address questions about global justice, international ethics, and transitional justice. He has contributed to EInternational Relations, TheRiskyShift.com, and interned at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C.

Review :
In this slim and arresting book, Christopher Peys makes an important contribution to our thinking about care as a political practice. His sharp readings of Arendt and Derrida, linked to insightful reflections on contemporary politics, invite us to re-imagine cosmopolitanism and forgiveness as vital modes of caring for the world. Peys’ monography develops an innovative world-centric theory of political action, according to which cosmopolitanism and forgiveness are intertwined practices of public care, whose importance is paramount in reconciliatory processes. The author convincingly shows how they allow, guarantee and foster new beginnings in the space of politics, by repairing, maintaining, and enhancing the worldly web of relationships. This timely, well-written book is among the most elaborate and well-informed works to engage the political thought of Hannah Arendt and Jacques Derrida together. It opens up new perspectives to the thought of both thinkers, and offers invaluable insights into the contemporary relevance of cosmopolitanism and forgiveness inspired by a care for the world we share with others. In this rich, innovative and inspiring book, Chris Peys makes a valuable contribution to political theory and practice. The book develops a compelling account of cosmopolitan hospitality and forgiveness oriented to caring for the worldly spaces of political action. It manifests a love of the world that is of utmost political significance given the contemporary onslaught of “dark times.”