The Polyphony of Love
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in philosophy, psychoanalysis, or contemporary French thought who wish to understand key concepts in Badiou's philosophical system.
- Those seeking to move beyond popular psychology and reflect deeply, at a philosophical level, on the nature of love and the meaning of intimate relationships.
- Lovers of literature, art, or film who hope to gain a distinctive theoretical tool for interpreting the theme of love in artistic works.
- Readers in stable relationships who are willing to explore the deeper philosophical foundations of their relationship with their partner.
Not a good fit for
- Pragmatists expecting concrete dating techniques, relationship-repair guides, or emotional comfort.
- Readers who find philosophical speculation and abstract concepts difficult or uninteresting.
Reading tips
- It is advisable to read the translator's preface or a related introduction first, to gain a preliminary grasp of the basic threads of Badiou's thought, which will help in understanding the dense concepts in the book.
- The book is short but extremely dense; it suits slow, careful reading, and you may pause to think at any time—there is no need to finish it in one sitting.
- You can read it alongside other works by Badiou or the views of related philosophers such as Lacan and Plato for reference, in order to deepen your understanding.
About the publisher
Adhering to the publishing purpose of "broad education," East China Normal University Press extends beyond its three main areas of textbooks, academic works and general-interest books, and its catalogue clearly reflects a vision that bridges Chinese and foreign humanities and social sciences. In foreign literature it offers classics such as Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country and The Old Capital (translated by Chen Dewen), Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and Rilke's annotated edition of The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge (translated by Chen Zao); in architecture, Chen Congzhou's two-volume Appreciation Dictionary of Chinese Gardens; in social psychology, The Social Animal: 12th Edition; and it also includes philosophy titles, traditional-culture works such as the six-volume Paintings for the Protection of Life, and education books. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers and skilled translators, showing a publishing profile that balances classic translation, scholarly accumulation and public reading. Public information is limited; the above is based only on the books in the catalogue.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 主编的话
- 爱带给我们行动的勇气（推荐序）
- 译序
- 引言
- 1 备受威胁的爱
- 2 哲学家与爱情
- 3 爱的建构
- 4 爱之真理
- 5 爱与政治
- 6 爱与艺术
- 结论
- 巴迪欧作品列表
FAQ
How is this book fundamentally different from ordinary essays on love or psychology books?
Can readers without a philosophy background understand it?
What is Badiou's final definition of "love"?
Comments
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About the author
Alain Badiou is a contemporary French philosopher whose works are known to Chinese readers as philosophy titles. The library currently holds two of his books, Plato's Republic and In Praise of Love. Because public information is limited, this note does not go further into his life, education or positions, and instead focuses on the works themselves: both start from philosophical questions, discussing Platonic political thought and the theme of love, in a style marked by theoretical speculation. They draw on classical philosophical sources while also responding to the spiritual situation of modern people. For Chinese readers, Badiou's works offer an entry point into contemporary French philosophy and are suited to readers willing to engage closely with the texts and think patiently.
Deng Gang is an author about whom limited public information is available; existing sources do not confirm his nationality, dates of birth and death, or educational background. Three of his works are held in the collection, spanning a fairly wide range of subjects: philosophical reading with a reflective bent, such as A Multitude of Love; prose and miscellaneous writings in the “Zimatou” reading series, such as Your Enemy Is in the Mirror; and management and sales practice, represented by the value edition of The Sales Secrets of Champion Salespeople. These titles suggest that his writing is not confined to a single field but moves between philosophical reflection, personal essays, and workplace method, generally addressing ordinary readers and turning abstract topics or practical experience into accessible prose. Because full biographical materials are lacking, it is difficult to judge his writing career and overall influence in more specific terms; readers may begin with the works above to understand the questions he addresses and his style.
Jiang Dandan is a Chinese author about whom little public information is available. Six of her works are held in the collection, mainly for readers of philosophy and social and cultural studies. Her representative titles include The Dialectics of Duration, The Philosophical Way of Life, Philosophy as a Way of Life, The Image of Man: Imagination, Performance and Culture, The Polyphony of Love, and The Ancient Imperial Examination. These titles show that her interests span Western philosophy, philosophical practice and ways of living, cultural studies of image and imagination, and the imperial examination system of ancient China, combining philosophical reflection with a cultural-historical perspective. Overall, she tends to discuss philosophical questions in an accessible, everyday manner, interpreting abstract concepts through lived experience and cultural phenomena. Her works are commonly found in categories such as Western philosophy, philosophy readers, social sciences, and culture, and are suitable for readers interested in philosophy and intellectual culture. As biographical information has not been made public, this profile offers an objective overview based only on the works held in the collection.
He Fabi, born in Germany in 1966, is a sinologist and philosopher who has long taught in Taiwan. His academic interests cross cultural boundaries, focusing on cross-cultural philosophy and Chinese thought, and he seeks to build dialogue between different philosophical traditions. As far as this database is concerned, only one work by him is currently included, The Polyphony of Love, classified as a philosophy book. Due to limited public information, the full range of his writings remains unclear, but this work shows that he tends to approach emotional issues in everyday experience through philosophical reflection, grounding abstract concepts in concrete and perceptible experience rather than piling up terminology. This approach gives the philosophy book both intellectual density and readability, and has earned it some reception among Chinese-language readers. Overall, He Fabi's writing reflects the effort of a cross-cultural researcher to examine life themes through a philosophical lens.
