49 pages • 1 hour read
Judith ButlerPrecarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Precarious Life by Judith Butler, comprising five essays written after 9/11, explores themes of violence and ethical responses to it, emphasizing that increased vulnerability from violence brings increased responsibility for one’s reaction. Butler critiques U.S. policies, media portrayals of vulnerability, indefinite detention, suppression of criticism against Israel, and proposes a nonviolence theory grounded in the ethical demand of others' precariousness. The book includes discussions of violence and traumatic events such as the aftermath of 9/11, war, and indefinite detention.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Judith Butler's Precarious Life is praised for its profound analysis of vulnerability and ethics in a post-9/11 world, offering nuanced perspectives on grief and human interconnectedness. Some critics find her dense prose challenging, yet others appreciate the depth and rigor. Overall, it is recognized as a thought-provoking work with significant philosophical insight.
Who Should Read Precarious Life?
Readers who would enjoy Precarious Life by Judith Butler are typically engaged with critical theory, political philosophy, and social justice. They might also appreciate works like Gender Trouble by Butler or Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault, seeking deep analyses of power, vulnerability, and identity.