Ethical loneliness is the experience of being abandoned by humanity; compounded by the cruelty of wrongs not being acknowledged. It is the result of multiple lapses on the part of human beings and political institutions that; in failing to listen well to survivors; deny them redress by negating their testimony and thwarting their claims for justice. Jill Stauffer examines the root causes of ethical loneliness and how those in power revise history to serve their own ends rather than the needs of the abandoned. Out of this discussion; difficult truths about the desire and potential for political forgiveness; transitional justice; and political reconciliation emerge. Moving beyond a singular focus on truth commissions and legal trials; she considers more closely what is lost in the wake of oppression and violence; how selves and worlds are built and demolished; and who is responsible for re-creating lives after they are destroyed. Stauffer boldly argues that rebuilding worlds and just institutions after violence is a broad obligation and that those who care about justice must first confront their own assumptions about autonomy; liberty; and responsibility before an effective response to violence can take place. In building her claims; Stauffer draws on the work of Emmanuel Levinas; Jean Améry; Eve Sedgwick; and Friedrich Nietzsche; as well as concrete cases of justice and injustice across the world.
#1051585 in Books 2012-02-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .51 x 6.10l; .70 #File Name: 0231159331224 pages
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Reportage Regarding TurkeyBy JohnSThis is a very competent book by a first class writer. Anyone who desires current information about the nation will be well served by this book. The book precedes the shenanigans of Tayyip Erdogan--many people feel that the nation is entering a new phase of autocratic leadership and a possible civil war. It will be interesting to read Kuru's next book!0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating and informative! Highly recommend!By MaryExcellent course! An enlightening look into the modern Middle East. One of the best courses I've taken through Coursera. Highly recommend for anyone interested in why the world is the way it is today!3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. good review of the Turkish caseBy Ali KecThis is a collection of articles that would help understand the transformation in Turkish politics and society. It addresses a wide range of topics on Turkey all relevant to critical matters of debate. The book is well organized to help the reader gain a better understanding of the historical background of current issues; the role of AKP (Justice and Development Party); and foreign affairs. Hanioglu; a Princeton University scholar of late Ottoman history; contributes an excellent article in the volume identifying the roots of Kemalism in the late Ottoman intellectual discussions and provides an explanation of its assertive secularism. Kuru and Stepan's chapter compares the implementation of secularism in Senegal; France; and Turkey and shows that Turkish secularism is the most assertive among the three. Ozbudun; one of the most prominent experts on constitutional law; contributes with two chapters; one of which details the undemocratic aspects of the 1982 constitution. It is helpful to readers of all backgrounds with an interest in understanding the Turkish case.
