Cohen Leonard - Leonard Cohen and Philosophy : Various Positions

Praise for Leonard Cohen and Philosophy

Leonard Cohen and Philosophy? Everybody knows theres a connection: not only through his Judaism cut with classico-medievalist Qubcois Catholicism and then further cut with Zen Buddhism, but also via his tutoring in the School of Hard Knocks that is the pop-rock balladeer scene, from coffeehouse to sports arena, from album liner-notes to concert reviews. Editor Jason Holt, himself a fine absurdist experimental poet and a professor of philosophy, draws us into examining the kan of Cohen, so to speak, by postulating the first immediate paradox of the artist: an essential, post-modern poet, respected by ye Literature professors, and a bluesy cantor/singer, whose smoky vocals coax matrons and teens alike to toss their panties on stage. Is Cohen really both pop star and poet, and, if so, might one add the label, philosopher, too? Holt assembles twenty scholars to ponder the ideational links between Cohen as writer/songwriter and a cosmopolitan whos who of philosophers: Adorno, Beauvoir, Camus, Derrida, etc. Reading these superb assessments of Cohens (sung) words bids us read and/or hear the bard ever more intensively, to recognize in him the extension of a troubadour tradition, ex the Holy Land and Provence, marrying Judeo-Christian and Pagan deathless notions of love, sex, ritual, and romance, blending David and Dante, Peter and Petrarch, the Song of Songs and Sade.

GEORGE ELLIOTT CLARKE, William Lyon Mackenzie King Professor of Canadian Studies, Harvard University (2013-14) & Poet Laureate of Toronto (2012-15)

Cohen famously said that there is a crack in everything, thats how the light gets in. This book takes the brilliant light of Cohens words and shines it into Platos cave with such strength the prisoners are not only free but see the sun.

KIMBERLY BALTZER-JARAY, author of Doorway to the World of Essences

Leonard Cohen and Philosophy deals with a wide range of issues, including the metaphysical world created in Suzanne,... the poetics of relationships ,... and the phenomenology of time.... This volume presents perspectives not to be found elsewhere and offers readers a fuller resonance with Cohens work.

DrHGuy on Heck Of A Guy: The Other Leonard Cohen Site

Anyone interested in Leonard Cohenwhether a newcomer to his work or a longtime fanwill find much to reflect upon and savor here. Exploring Cohens songs, albums, poems, and novels through the prism of philosophical and religious ideas, this volume covers diverse groundfrom Hellenistic philosophy to existentialism, from Stoicism to phenomenology, from literary theory to gender studies, from Judeo-Christian concepts such as katechon to Buddhist concepts such as nirvana. In the process, certain themes receive special focus, such as romantic love, authenticity, irony, perceptions of time, embodied consciousness, the Holocaust and the banality of evil, and the process of redemption. As these essays make manifestly clear, Cohens work brings light to many philosophical and religious concepts, even as those concepts in turn help to illuminate and complement the depth of thought and feeling in Cohens rich and varied lyrical, poetical work.

KATHLEEN LEAGUE, author of Adorno, Radical Negativity, and Cultural Critique

It is rare for a promising young literary figure to become an influential pop music star, but that is exactly what Leonard Cohen has accomplished. The various works of the Canadian singer-songwriter-poet-novelist frequently bridge such issues as personal identity, skepticism, inter-personal relationships, and inter-cultural spiritual influences. The chapters in this book run the gamut from classical and modern philosophical contexts to Cohens varied masculinities and prophetic tone to his unusual singing voice and concepts of beauty, authenticity, irony, love, evil, and transcendence.

DURRELL BOWMAN, author of Experiencing Rush: A Listeners Companion and co-editor of Rush and Philosophy: Heart and Mind United

Leonard Cohen, a Canadian literary and music icon, has provoked excitement, disgust, bewilderment and uncertainty among his fans and critics alike. Leonard Cohen and Philosophy wonderfully captures and examines all of those sentiments and more. It provides a delightful and engrossing philosophical journey through the life and art of Leonard Cohen. Jason Holt and his roster of engaging contributors make you want to travel with themand youll be glad you did.

SHAUN P. YOUNG, editor of Jeopardy and Philosophy

Popular Culture and Philosophy Series Editor: George A. Reisch

VOLUME 1Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing (2000)

VOLUME 2The Simpsons and Philosophy: The Doh! of Homer (2001)

VOLUME 3The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (2002)

VOLUME 4Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale (2003)

VOLUME 5The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All (2003)

VOLUME 9Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts (2004)

VOLUME 12Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine (2005)

VOLUME 13Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way (2005)

VOLUME 19Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge Nudge, Think Think! (2006)

VOLUME 25The Beatles and Philosophy: Nothing You Can Think that Cant Be Thunk (2006)

VOLUME 26South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More Penetrating (2007)

VOLUME 30Pink Floyd and Philosophy: Careful with that Axiom, Eugene! (2007)

VOLUME 33Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Mission Accomplished or Mission Frakked Up? (2008)

VOLUME 35Star Trek and Philosophy: The Wrath of Kant (2008)

VOLUME 36The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy: I Link Therefore I Am (2008)

VOLUME 37The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy: Wicked Wisdom of the West (2008)

VOLUME 38Radiohead and Philosophy: Fitter Happier More Deductive (2009)

VOLUME 39Jimmy Buffett and Philosophy: The Porpoise Driven Life (2009) Edited by Erin McKenna and Scott L. Pratt

VOLUME 41Stephen Colbert and Philosophy: I Am Philosophy (And So Can You!) (2009) Edited by Aaron Allen Schiller

VOLUME 42Supervillains and Philosophy: Sometimes, Evil Is Its Own Reward (2009) Edited by Ben Dyer

VOLUME 43The Golden Compass and Philosophy: God Bites the Dust (2009) Edited by Richard Greene and Rachel Robison

VOLUME 44Led Zeppelin and Philosophy: All Will Be Revealed