Exilic Ecologies
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The author of the article addresses a challenging and problematic issue, especially in recent years, namely the question of ""native" and the politically problematic alternative between rootedness in a soil or culture and exile. As the author rightly points out, this is a theme that runs through the most decisive and tragic moments of the 20th century, especially through the controversial and often contradictory approach of Martin Heidegger's philosophy, which is full of implications. But it is also central to the most radical achievements of Jewish thought in the 20th century.
This article attempts, albeit briefly and necessarily very succinctly, to extend these questions into the now fundamental realm of ecological thought and forms of planetary existence that can no longer be confined to the human habitat.
I strongly recommend the publication of this article, which I suspect is part of a larger research program on these fundamental questions of our time.
Author Response
I am pleased to see that this reviewer recommends my text for publication.
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a highly sophisticated and erudite, nuanced, and eloquent discussion of the semantic content of the (fairly recent) concept of ecology. Ecology, the logos of oikos or, literally, discourse of the homestead/dwelling, is deconstructed - oikos, "dwelling," in the contemporary world of ecological crisis, is argued to be far from homely. Rather, the author insists, contemporary dwelling has become exilic, expelled from any stable origin or homeland. I find the suggestion concerning the exilic nature of contemporary dwelling to be evocative and compelling. In this manuscript, deconstructive strategies are mobilized with extreme sophistication to discover new and surprising connotations, all the while retaining an admirable lucidity and consistency of argumentative structure. The most relevant thinkers and commentators are taken into account and different intellectual sources are brought together with surprising agility - here, Heidegger meets Philo and Rosenzweig. The text is linguistically and stylistically flawless and highly polished. In brief, this is a truly excellent text and ready for publication as it is - I find no oversights or shortcomings in need of being addressed.
Author Response
I am pleased to see that this reviewer recommends my text for publication.
