This chapter looks in detail at the context of the Capri conference where Derrida presented a first version of his 1994–95 essay “Faith and Knowledge.” The chapter considers everything from the time and place of the conference to the languages, nationalities, and religions of its participants. It also looks at some of the major world events—ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia, the “return to religion” in the US and Europe—that ended up influencing the discussions of the conference and particularly Derrida’s contribution. It is argued throughout this chapter that a thorough understanding...

This chapter looks in detail at the context of the Capri conference where Derrida presented a first version of his 1994–95 essay “Faith and Knowledge.” The chapter considers everything from the time and place of the conference to the languages, nationalities, and religions of its participants. It also looks at some of the major world events—ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia, the “return to religion” in the US and Europe—that ended up influencing the discussions of the conference and particularly Derrida’s contribution. It is argued throughout this chapter that a thorough understanding of these conditions is essential to understanding Derrida’s presentation at the Capri conference and the essay “Faith and Knowledge” that resulted from it.