This is the fifth volume in an ongoing project reexamining the philosophic tradition from the standpoint of the good. The ongoing project seeks to understand humanity's relation to nature in a profoundly ethical way. This volume develops an understanding in ecological terms. It does so by examining the notion of giving in relation to having, calling into question the ways in which being human, and being itself, have been understood in terms of what one must have and possess in order to live well—goods, qualities, a body, a dwelling, freedom, land, children, family, things, knowledge, power, authenticity—all forms of genitivity. Having is explored in terms of ecstasy, squander, generosity, and sustenance, then as betrayal and forgiveness. Betrayal is understood as the expressiveness of things, always promised to circulation in abundance beyond containment, use or profit: the circulation of goods and commodities together with the circulation of images, meanings, language, and writing.

スティーヴン・デイヴィッド・ロスの本作は、所有という概念を贈与の地平から解体する、魂を揺さぶる哲学の冒険です。富や知識、身体さえも持つべきものと捉える執着から脱し、万物との共生へと導く視座は、所有に倦んだ現代社会に強烈な倫理的覚醒を促します。 著者の文体は、浪費や裏切りといった言葉に新たな生命を吹き込み、循環し続ける世界の豊かさを美しく描き出します。閉ざされた自己から解放され、巨大な贈与の連鎖に身を投じる快楽。それは単なる考察を超え、存在の本質を祝福する深遠な叙事詩としての輝きを放っています。