Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, encompassing philosophy, literature, politics and history, John Foley examines the full breadth of Camus' ideas to provide a comprehensive and rigorous study of his political and philosophical thought and a significant contribution to a range of debates current in Camus research. Foley argues that the coherence of Camus' thought can best be understood through a thorough understanding of the concepts of 'the absurd' and 'revolt' as well as the relation between them. This book includes a detailed discussion of Camus' writings for the newspaper "Combat", a systematic analysis of Camus' discussion of the moral legitimacy of political violence and terrorism, a reassessment of the prevailing postcolonial critique of Camus' humanism, and a sustained analysis of Camus' most important and frequently neglected work, "L'Homme revolte" (The Rebel).
Author(s): John Foley
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 256
City: Abingdon
Frontmatter
Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgements
Notes on the text and abbreviations
Introduction
1 The absurd
The Myth of Sisyphus
The Outsider
Caligula
Between nihilism and hope
2 Camus and Combat
Camusian rebellion and political engagement
Letters to a German Friend
Camus and Combat
"Neither Victims nor Executioners"
The Plague
3 The Rebel
Introduction
Metaphysical rebellion
Historical rebellion
Hegel
Marx, history and state terrorism
Unity and totality
4 Camus and political violence
The scrupulous assassin
"Reflections on the Guillotine"
5 Camus and Sartre
The "revolted soul"
"Hostile to history"
"Freedom without brakes"
Camus and Sartre on violence
6 Camus and Algeria
A new Mediterranean culture
A civilian truce
Conclusion
Notes
Introduction
Chapter 1 The absurd
Chapter 2 Camus and Combat
Chapter 3 The Rebel
Chapter 4 Camus and political violence
Chapter 5 Camus and Sartre
Chapter 6 Camus and Algeria
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
