Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

206503

The extraordinary situation and the state of exception

Petra Brown

pp. 101-121

Abstract

This chapter critically analyses Bonhoeffer's concept of the "extraordinary situation" in light of Schmitt's idea of the 'state of exception". It considers the extent to which Bonhoeffer's writing on the "extraordinary situation" suffers from the same dangers inherent in Schmitt's thinking around exception. It suggests that Bonhoeffer's concept of the "extraordinary" potentially radicalises Schmitt's concept of "exception" as it extends to each disciple or follower of Christ, thereby potentially authorising each follower of Christ to enact violence in a "last resort" scenario.

Publication details

Published in:

Brown Petra (2019) Bonhoeffer: God's conspirator in a state of exception. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Pages: 101-121

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-05698-8_6

Full citation:

Brown Petra (2019) The extraordinary situation and the state of exception, In: Bonhoeffer, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 101–121.