Albert Camus As Political Thinker : Nihilisms and the Politics of Contempt

An intense genealogical reconstruction of Camus's political thinking challenging the philosophical import of his writings as providing an alternative, aesthetic understanding of politics, political action and freedom outside and against the nihilistic categories of modern political philosophy and the contemporary politics of contempt and terrorisms. This intense 'genealogical' reconstruction of Albert Camus's political thinking challenges the philosophical import of his writings as providing an alternative, 'aesthetic' way of thinking political action outside and against the nihilistic categories of modern political philosophy. Samantha Novello focuses on the problem of radical nihilism as a crucial political question and the red thread of Camus's reflection from his early works to his speech for acceptance upon the Award of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Based on the most rigorous and updated edition of his complete works in the new Bibliotheque de la Pleiade (Gallimard), the book discusses all the key concepts of Camus's thinking, including the absurd, revolt, and freedom, in the light of contemporary political theory and as part of his personal/original 'aesthetic' point of view on twentieth-century politics of contempt and terrorisms. This intense 'genealogical' reconstruction of Albert Camus's political thinking challenges the philosophical import of his writings as providing an alternative, 'aesthetic' way of thinking political action outside and against the nihilistic categories of modern political philosophy. Samantha Novello focuses on the problem of radical nihilism as a crucial political question and the red thread of Camus's reflection from his early works to his speech for acceptance upon the Award of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Based on the most rigorous and updated edition of his complete works in the new Bibliotheque de la Peliade (Gallimard), the book discusses all the key concepts of Camus's thinking, including the absurd, revolt, and freedom, in the light of contemporary political theory and as part of his personal/original 'aesthetic' point of view on twentieth-century politics of contempt and terrorisms Introduction: an 'untimely' political thought for serious times The twentieth-century politics of contempt 'Undisguised influences' Tragic beginnings mystic 'communion' with nature An artist's point of view Rethinking participation beyond 'romanticism' A stranger to the world of ressentiment Commencement of freedom Sisyphus or happiness in hell Nothing is possible, everything is permitted The absurd and power Combat with nihilism Between Sade and the Dandy Conclusion. Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction: An ‘Untimely’ Political Thought for Serious Times....Pages 1-9 The Twentieth-Century Politics of Contempt....Pages 10-18 ‘Undisguised influences’....Pages 19-32 Tragic Beginnings....Pages 33-57 An Artist’s Point of View....Pages 58-80 Commencement of Freedom....Pages 81-108 The Absurd and Power....Pages 109-130 Between Sade and the Dandy....Pages 131-147 Back Matter....Pages 148-193 Samantha Novello. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 174-185) And Index.