In this highly original book the author addresses the question of how we are to conceive of human reasoning in a situation where there are no global, privileged points of view.

Drawing on the work of Nietzsche and Heidegger, Vattimo proposes a conception of thought based on 'difference' - a conception which accepts the fragmentation of knowledge and renounces the quest for totality. He also argues for an 'ontology of decline' - a conception of being which renounces all the strong characteristics attributed to it by traditional metaphysics and which instead, following Heidegger, links being to time, life and the rhythm of birth and death.

Gianni Vattimo is an Italian philosopher and university professor who served in the European Parliament. He taught at the University of Turin. Vattimo edited the Journal of Aesthetics and has contributed to many international magazines. He is a member of the Academy of Sciences of Turin. He has received honorary degrees from several universities and was awarded the Official Great Merit of the Italian Republic in 1997. Most of his books are in English translation.