From Myth to Life: Benjamin’s Biopolitics

The aim of this chapter is to show that there is an inherently biopolitical dimension to Walter Benjamin’s philosophical project. Biopolitical emerges as part of his continue engagement with the question of life. Precisely because life cannot be separated from his concern with the law there is a further fundamental component of his work, namely the nexus between biopolitical and political theology. This aspect of his project is explored through analysis of decisive elements the obvious text ‘Towards a Critique of Violence.’