Albert Camus: From the Absurd to Revolt

by John Foley

Overview

Adopting an interdisciplinary approach encompassing philosophy, literature, politics and history, John Foley examines the full breadth of Camus' ideas to provide a rigorous guide to his political and philosophical thought.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780773534674
Publisher:	McGill-Queens University Press
Publication date:	10/01/2008
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xi

Notes on the text and abbreviations xiii

Introduction 1

1 The absurd 5

The Myth of Sisyphus 5

The Outsider 14

Caligula 22

Between nihilism and hope 26

2 Camus and Combat 29

Camusian rebellion and political engagement 29

Letters to a German Friend 30

Camus and Combat 33

"Neither Victims nor Executioners" 38

The Plague 50

3 The Rebel 55

Introduction 55

Metaphysical rebellion 58

Historical rebellion 60

Hegel 63

Marx, history and state terrorism 67

Unity and totality 76

4 Camus and political violence 87

The scrupulous assassin 87

"Reflections on the Guillotine" 100

5 Camus and Sartre 108

The "revolted soul" 108

"Hostile to history" 115

"Freedom without brakes" 122

Camus and Sartre on violence 126

6 Camus and Algeria 141

A new Mediterranean culture 141

A civilian truce 155

Conclusion 170

Notes 173

Bibliography 214

Index 235

Editorial Reviews

"Foley's book is well placed among recent contributions to Camus scholarship to further our understanding of how indisputably relevant and valuable Camus's thought and commitments are today." – Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"Among the vast array of existing Camus scholarship I have never read a more thorough presentation or judicious defense of Camus' work than this." – David Carroll, University of California, Irvine, author of Albert Camus the Algerian

"A masterful job of research and analysis, beautifully incorporating the full range of Camus' writings." – David Sprintzen, Long Island University, author of Camus: A Critical Examination

From the Publisher