Entangled Topologies

Chapter 1 outlines the case for a prelinguistic experience of goodness by exploring the experience of joy. Engaging the work of Jean-Yves Lacoste and Claude Romano, the chapter outlines how “goodness” can appear in a wide variety of circumstances regardless of one’s confessional stance. The chapter then explores hermeneutical complexities that arise when a prelinguistic experience of goodness is integrated within a more specific horizon of place (like creation). These complexities are addressed by developing the phenomenological concept of entangled topologies, which suggests that differing horizons of place are emmeshed around prelinguistic experiences. The chapter concludes by arguing that the widespread experience of joy and enjoyment discloses a persistent play of “goodness” in the place in which we find ourselves. As such, it appears to be a reality within one’s place. At the same time, this goodness is open to legitimately diverse interpretations and remains defined by a degree of relativism.