In several books, Jessica Benjamin provides a corrective to the modern Western conception of subjectivity. Rather than privileging the development of autonomy and independence, Benjamin asks whether there’s a part of humanity that is in fact deeply relational but gets buried in the stories and practices we impose on ourselves to grow up. I spoke with Benjamin about a different way of orienting our life stories and why a belief in the repairability of the world is essential for our survival.

Uli Baer teaches literature and photography as University Professor at New York University. A recipient of Guggenheim, Getty and Humboldt awards, in addition to hosting "Speaking of…” he hosts (with Caroline Weber) the podcast "The Proust Questionnaire” and is Editorial Director at Warbler Press. Email [email protected]; Twitter @UliBaer.

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