Maria Zambrano amongst the philosophers: an introduction

This is the opening article to the monographic issue, introducing the Spanish philosopher Maria Zambrano to an Anglophone audience not familiar with her work. It covers biographical information as well as references to the main philosophical areas explored and work published by the author. In addition, it introduces the articles included in the issue and the rationale behind this special issue: to locate Zambrano’s philosophical thought alongside that of other more widely recognised thinkers in the Western world. Indeed, the articles included explore the links between Zambrano’s thought and a wide range of themes and ideas associated with other European thinkers including, Critical Theory and the Frankfurt School, Husserl and Jan Patočka’s reflections on Europe, a psychoanalytical reading of the experience of exile, a reading of the metaphor of light in the works of Zambrano through the works of Jacques Derrida y Hans Blumenberg, and present day debates around the crisis and reconstruction of the subject. Finally, the article introduces the anthology of texts by Zambrano in English translation included in the monographic issue.