Philosophy of Exaggeration

To ensure that others can grasp our ideas, we exaggerate. We may believe we are communicating objectively, but such experts as Arendt argue that we always exaggerate, which is a distinct problem when we attempt to clarify such philosophical questions as the existence and extent of limits. Garcia Duttmann (philosophy and visual culture, Goldsmiths College, U. of London) closely examines the role of exaggeration and its effects in concepts, practices and the creation and destruction of a lifeline. He analyzes its role in philosophy, in the development of trust and enlightenment, and in irony. He locates exaggeration within the variable contexts of infinity, the finite being that is politics, and the enigma that is guilt, and examines its role in factuality, trauma, self-evidence, institution and art. He closes with a particular interesting chapter on how exaggeration builds and then razes the events of one's life. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)