The Duplicity of Philosophy’s Shadow: Heidegger, Nazism, and the Jewish Others

Join us as Elliot R. Wolfson, Marsha and Jay Glazer Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, speaks about his highly anticipated new book, The Duplicity of Philosophy’s Shadow: Heidegger, Nazism, and the Jewish Other. In The Duplicity of Philosophy’s Shadow, Elliot Wolfson intervenes in debates about the notorious philosopher as a scholar of Jewish mysticism who has been profoundly influenced by Heidegger’s work. In spite of Heidegger’s explicit antisemitic statements, Wolfson reveals some crucial aspects of his thinking that betray an affinity with dimensions of Jewish thought. Ultimately, as Wolfson argues, the greatness and relevance of Heidegger’s work is that he presents us with the opportunity to think the unthinkable as part of our communal destiny as historical beings in confronting the horrors of the Holocaust.

At the Center for Jewish History on April 29th, Elliot Wolfson will offer a brief lecture about his book. Shaul Magid, The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Chair in Jewish Studies at Indiana University and NEH Senior Scholar at the Center for Jewish History, will introduce and moderate the forum. Richard Wolin, Distinguished Professor of History and Comparative Literature and the CUNY Graduate Center, will offer a response.

Co-presented with the Center for Jewish History.