Albert Camus: The Unheroic Hero of Our Time

Description

This book interprets the ideas, thoughts and concepts that characterize the writings and philosophy of Albert Camus for our contemporary times. It investigates Camus’ "revolted compassion" as an outsider and a philosopher-writer who in his own words believed in "creating dangerously". The author examines Camus’ interventions on political, philosophical and moral questions, such as Algerian independence, capital punishment, ideological violence, nihilism in the context of his ideals of the absurd and revolt, and justice and liberty. Further, it goes on to provide an exhaustive analysis of Camus’ critique of violence and his intellectual resistance to totalitarianism. Bringing together latest scholarship with an acute analysis of Albert Camus’ philosophy, this sourcebook throws a powerful light on the intellectual foundations of the twentieth century and its relevance for the twenty-first. The book will be of interest to scholars of literature, philosophy and African Studies. Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: thinking with Camus: from violence to nonviolence 1 A Meridian philosopher 2 Thermodynamics of death and solidarity towards life 3 A soul in rebellion 4 From solitude to hope 5 Camus the outsider: facing the past and the present Conclusion: the exercise of measuredness: is a Camusian nonviolence possible? Bibliography Index