Form of Life: Agamben and the Destitution of Rules

The concept of a form-of-life is the centre of gravity around which Agamben has advanced his attempts to think of an alternative politics. It refers to a living dimension that has overthrown the structures of power in which humans are supposedly destined to live, disclosing the possibility of a new understanding of political and legal life. By placing 'form-of-life' in the context of contemporary philosophy, this book re-imagines anew some of the basic categories of human socialities - such as work, rights, obligation, property, and use. It explores the ways in which Agamben's philosophy might be a strategic resource for developing political and legal strategies that leave behind a situation dominated by pervasive sovereign violence.At a moment of history in which the fundamental promises of Western modernity are undergoing a decisive crisis, to look beyond the basic categories of human social institutions becomes an urgency. Through a close engagement with Agamben's concept ofform-of-life, this book seeks to challenge the current crisis of juridical, political and economic reality.
The notion of form-of-life refers to a living dimension that has overthrown the structures of power in which humans are supposedly destined to live, disclosing the possibility of a new understanding of political and legal life. By placing the ‘form-of-life’ in the context of contemporary philosophy, this book re-imagines anew some of the basic categories of human socialities – such as work, rights, obligation, property, and use. It explores the ways in which Agamben’s philosophy might be helpful in developing political and legal strategies that leave behind a situation dominated by pervasive sovereign violence.At a moment of history in which the fundamental promises of Western modernity are undergoing a decisive crisis, to look beyond the basic categories of human social institutions becomes an urgency. Through a close engagement with Agamben’s concept of form-of-life, this book seeks to challenge the current crisis of juridical, political and economic reality.
Giorgio Agamben's form-of-life discloses the possibility of a new understanding of political and legal life. This book places ‘form-of-life’ in the context of contemporary philosophy, re-imagining some of the basic categories of human socialities- such as work, rights, obligation, property and use.