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In the Dust of This Planet: Horror of Philosophy (Volume 1) (Horror of Philosophy, 1) Paperback – Illustrated, August 16, 2011

by Eugene Thacker (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 456 ratings
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#1 Amazon Best Seller in Philosophy Criticism.
 
"Thacker's discourse on the intersection of horror and philosophy is utterly original and utterly captivating..."
Thomas Ligotti, author of The Conspiracy Against the Human Race

The world is increasingly unthinkable, a world of planetary disasters, emerging pandemics, and the looming threat of extinction. In this book philosopher Eugene Thacker suggests that we look to the genre of horror as offering a way of thinking about the unthinkable world. To confront this idea is to confront the limit of our ability to understand the world in which we live -- a central motif of the horror genre.

In the Dust of This Planet explores these relationships between philosophy and horror. In Thacker's hands, philosophy is not academic logic-chopping; instead, it is the thought of the limit of all thought, especially as it dovetails into occultism, demonology, and mysticism. Likewise, Thacker takes horror to mean something beyond the focus on gore and scare tactics, but as the under-appreciated genre of supernatural horror in fiction, film, comics, and music.
 
This relationship between philosophy and horror does not mean the philosophy of horror, if anything, it means the reverse, the horror of philosophy: those moments when philosophical thinking enigmatically confronts the horizon of its own existence. For Thacker, the genre of supernatural horror is the key site in which this paradoxical thought of the unthinkable takes place.
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Horror of Philosophy
  2. Print length
    179 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Zero Books
  5. Publication date
    August 16, 2011
  6. Dimensions
    5.64 x 0.43 x 8.73 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    184694676X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1846946769
  9. See all details
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Starry Speculative Corpse: Horror of Philosophy (Vol 2) (Horror of Philosophy, 2)
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Tentacles Longer Than Night: Horror of Philosophy (Vol 3) (Horror of Philosophy, 3)
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From the Publisher

philosophy, supernatural horror, philosophical lessons, horror genre critique, literary criticism
philosophy, supernatural horror, philosophical lessons, horror genre critique, literary criticism
philosophy, supernatural horror, philosophical lessons, horror genre critique, literary criticism
philosophy, supernatural horror, philosophical lessons, horror genre critique, literary criticism

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is featured in the Radiolab episode "In The Dust Of This Planet" (radiolab.org/story/dust-planet/).

"Thacker's discourse on the intersection of horror and philosophy is utterly original and utterly captivating...In the Dust of This Planet is an encyclopedic grimoire instructing us in the varieties of esoteric thought and infernal diversions that exist for the reader's further investigation, treating us to a delightful stroll down a midway of accursed attractions that alone are worth the ticket of this volume."

Thomas Ligotti, author of Songs of a Dead Dreamer and The Conspiracy Against the Human Race

About the Author

Eugene Thacker is the author of several books, including In the Dust of This Planet (Zero Books, 2011) and Infinite Resignation (Repeater Books, 2018). He teaches at The New School in New York City.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zero Books; Illustrated edition (August 16, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 179 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 184694676X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1846946769
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.64 x 0.43 x 8.73 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 456 ratings

About the author

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Eugene Thacker

Eugene Thacker

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Eugene Thacker is the author of several books, including In the Dust of This Planet (Zero Books, 2011) and Infinite Resignation (Repeater/Penguin, 2018). He teaches at The New School in New York City.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
456 global ratings
Definitely a book that will keep up at night!
5 Stars
Definitely a book that will keep up at night!
This book will engage you the minute you read the first two pages. Eugene Thacker has a way with words, this book will defined keep up at night!
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Top reviews from the United States

John C. Mellor
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book because of Radiolab on NPR
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2023
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Great book, worth reading. Learned about it from Radiolab on NPR. Definitely worth a read.
One person found this helpful
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Daniel
4.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully weird read
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2014
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As a writer, this book has helped me flesh out a few interesting ideas surrounding horror and magic. The idea of the "world-without-us" is something that has rattled in my brain for a few years now and I was happy to have Thacker validate and give structure to the illusive black ocean always lapping just around the next corner of my thoughts. A few of his arguments become dense and confusing, and there are moments where he leaps for his conclusions; but there are more fun, provocative, and mind-bending moments than not.

Also, the simple cover art is bizarrely iconic and really drew me to the book. It's great.

It's a wonderful book, and not nearly dark or depressing as its recent reputation has it pegged as. "In The Dust of This Planet" is a beautifully weird read.
21 people found this helpful
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Chad Lott
5.0 out of 5 stars In Dust We Trust
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2014
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If you're a horror or black metal fan with an interest in philosophy, you're going to enjoy this short book immensely. You can tell the author really loves the subject and he treats it serious, with an appropriate amount of cheekiness. Hardcore analytic philosophy fans might find this to be less rigorous than they might like since It kind of has a comp lit close reading approach (which is what the author's PHD is in), but it's provocative and enjoyable.

I'm a pretty deep fan of this stuff and I found page after page of new books and music to explore that I'd never heard of. True Detective super fans should check this out as it served as inspiration for the development of Rust Cohle.

Read this book with Tomas Ligott's Conspiracy Against the Human Race, Albert Camus' Myth of Sisyphus, and a few of your favorite H.P. Lovecraft stories for the full effect.
38 people found this helpful
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CRH
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally satisfying, Deeply engrossing
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
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Deeply unsettling, yet somehow also comforting. By deconstructing the way we consider our world through the lens of the horror genre, Thacker creates a piece of nihilist philosophy that doesn't feel obnoxiously glum or self loathing. Deeply analytical and carefully researched, this book is an excellent way for those new to nihilist philosophy or philosophy in general to dip their toes into the ancient art of placing ourselves in a physical and moral universe. As a lover of the horror genre, this book makes me feel as if my love for the macabre is not only valid and founded, but deeply rooted in my own subconscious understanding that my place in the cosmos is essentially meaningless. And the horror genre is a way in which we cope with that meaninglessness. Also, Glenn Beck hates it, so there's a reason to read it right there.
58 people found this helpful
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Ryan D.
3.0 out of 5 stars I don't consider this a philosophy book
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2018
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Maybe I've read too many classics or I'm rusty with philosophical topics, but personally I found this book to more in line with media criticism, which makes sense considering the author's education and current position. There are interesting concepts, no doubt, in the book, but I'm unaccustomed to arguments being almost entirely supported by citing pop culture.

I also thought the structure of the book was confusing and somewhat rambling. Many times it seemed he'd introduce a concept and after several paragraphs we'd already moved on to something else, as if he was trying to make a point about a new topic which hadn't been fully fleshed out anyways. I should have just read the Cliff Notes and saved myself some time.
20 people found this helpful
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Jason J. Seislove
5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Resources on The Horror of Philosophy
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
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Excellent pandemic reading! Thacker is a fantastic guide to the strange and sometimes occult worlds of demonology, Cosmic Pessimism, black metal, zombie films, Lovecraftian supernatural horror, the themes of Dante's 'Inferno,' and so much more. This first (of three) excellent volumes taught me so much about the horror of philosophy! Looking forward to his other works.
One person found this helpful
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Chaunceington
4.0 out of 5 stars Esoteric, Enigmatic, and Educative
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2015
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Esoteric in every sense of the word. This book is a very niche exegesis on the intersection of horror and philosophy. The analysis of cultural horror genre lead this work into some theological labyrinths that require the acceptance of several layers of illusive elucidation. I enjoyed the book, but began reading under the assumption that its subject matter would deal more with general nihilistic, solipsistic themes only to learn that the focus is almost entirely on that of what our creation of horror says about us.

Eugene Thacker has written an incredible book here—his thorough understanding of the subject matter is evident. I look forward to reading his "Cosmic Pessimism," as perhaps that book is what I anticipated from this one.
5 people found this helpful
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P. Yanov
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read. Very academic.
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2018
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I learned of this book through the radio show, on the media, where they discuss both its contents and how it was appropriated by pop culture. it has been a challenging read for me, the author clearly has an expansive knowledge of the topic and its contributors. It's academic and erudite. But I've enjoyed the challenge. It's wonderful to know that there are people thinking so deeply about this sort of cultural niche.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thacker explores a plethora of dark philosophies that all great horror fans (ghouls) will adore
Reviewed in Canada on November 3, 2017
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The closest I have come to this level of academic introspection on horrific topics is Thomas Ligotti's Conspiracy Against the Human Race, and where Ligotti's work studied a single topic in depth, Thacker explores a plethora of dark philosophies that all great horror fans (ghouls) will adore.
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generic human
5.0 out of 5 stars The good kind of horror
Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2018
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I love this book. It is an good read for a book on philosophy. On could argue that it is middlebrow at best which probably is accurate, but it opened my horizon never the less.

If you are looking for an pop-cultural intro into modern nihilism (or are stuck in a self-harming downwards spiral of "entry level" nihilism) you are likely to enjoy it too.
One person found this helpful
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Alex Oros
5.0 out of 5 stars Grandioso
Reviewed in Mexico on November 12, 2016
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Grandioso libro. Definitivamente uno de los mejores que he leído en algún tiempo. Si gustas del terror cósmico, es un libro que no puedes dejar de leer.
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Irene
5.0 out of 5 stars El libro más extrañamente estimulante y entretenido que hayas leído sobre filosofía.
Reviewed in Spain on November 22, 2015
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Olvídate de este libro si buscas un libro de texto o un catálogo de pensamiento filosófico del terror. No, este no es un libro de mera consulta. No, Eugene Thacker no pretendía escribir un macutazo.

Este libro es un paseo por distintos autores que han tratado el horror en la filosofía. El mundo-sin-nosotros, el terror de lo inefable y desconocido, la solemnidad de la física allende las constricciones físicas y psíquicas del ser humano tienen cabida en esta obra amena y sin embargo concienzuda. En su seno contiene no sólo la filosofía tradicional, sino también expresiones artísticas y hechos de la cultura popular que, inopinadamente, cobran coherencia llevados de la mano de Thacker.
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Eoin Fullam
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2015
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Excellent quality
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