Critical proximity. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herbrechter, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Journal for cultural research. Volume 21:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 336
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Aporia -- Cixous -- deconstruction -- Derrida -- distance -- Heidegger -- metaphysics proximity -- the uncanny; Ethics -- Periodicals; Values -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals; Intellectual life -- Periodicals; 306
• DOI: 10.1080/14797585.2017.1370485
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-7585

Abstract

Abstract: This article explores the relationship between critical distance and the idea of proximity. In times that are often described as 'global', '24/7', 'connected', 'networked' and 'immersive', distance seems ever reduced and proximity omnipresent. The contemporary impression of ubiquitous proximity might constitute a threat to the survival of critical distance understood either as a cornerstone of enlightened and humanist critical practice or as a key metaphysical 'technology'. The resulting 'crisis of critical distance' produces the question of how to position oneself with regard to the 'other' in a time that lacks distance and privileges proximity? In tracking the ambiguity (or the 'aporia') that surrounds proximity – the desire to be near and the need to maintain a distance – this article rereads some key Heideggerian and Derridean texts in order to attempt a deconstruction of the opposition of distance and proximity at work in the 'metaphysics of presence'.