Albert Camus is a thinker who matters deeply for the 21st century.
Camus was a man of the Left, without believing in inevitable progress; he wrestled with nihilism but only in order to seek paths beyond it; he repudiated belief in God yet wrestled profoundly with religious questions; he defended "Western civilization" and adored the ancient Greeks, whilst denouncing reactionary politics; he explored the darkest human experiences, yet defended moderation, love and dialogue.
He matters today, firstly, because the problems he addressed remain ours: widespread cynicism and despair, democratic collapse, the rise of authoritarianisms, alienation from nature and a fascination with extremes. Secondly, because the solutions he explored to these problems were so highly original and balanced, relative to more widely-credited schools of thought: whether liberalism, Marxism, or fascism, or existentialism, postmodernism, or postcolonialism.
This book, written by an established expert on Camus' work, can serve for new readers as an introduction to Camus' philosophical ideas. More than another critical commentary. Why Camus Matters engages Camus in our contemporary debates, seeking in his thinking a thread out of the labyrinth of the global culture wars, and sources of democratic renewal.
| ISBN: | 9781350512498 |
| Publication date: | 30th April 2026 |
| Author: | Matthew Sharpe |
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Academic an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 232 pages |
| Series: | Why Philosophy Matters |
| Genres: |
Social and political philosophy Far-right political ideologies and movements Political structures: democracy |
Albert Camus is a thinker who matters deeply for the 21st century.Camus was a man of the Left, without believing in inevitable progress; he wrestled with nihilism but only in order to seek paths beyond it; he repudiated belief in God yet wrestled profoundly with religious questions; he defended "Western civilization" and adored the ancient Greeks, whilst denouncing reactionary politics; he explored the darkest human experiences, yet defended moderation, love and dialogue.He matters today, firstly, because the problems he addressed remain ours: widespread cynicism and despair, democratic collapse, the rise of authoritarianisms, alienation from nature and a fascination with extremes. Secondly, because the solutions he explored to these problems were so highly original and balanced, relative to more widely-credited schools of thought: whether liberalism, Marxism, or fascism, or existentialism, postmodernism, or postcolonialism.This book, written by an established expert on Camus' work, can serve for new readers as an introduction to Camus' philosophical ideas.
Why Camus Matters features in the following genres: Social and political philosophy, Far-right political ideologies and movements, Political structures: democracy
Hardback, Paperback. £58.50, down from the £65.00 cover price. Not Available.
Why Camus Matters was written by Matthew Sharpe and published by Bloomsbury Academic an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Why Camus Matters has 232 pages
Yes it is part of Why Philosophy Matters series
£58.50, reduced from £65.00. Not Available.