Camus: A Critical Examination [Paperback]

David Sprintzen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 1991

Throughout his life, Albert Camus confronted the central dramas of our civilization: the existential anxiety over "the death of God" and the absurdity of human existence; the political struggles over social injustice, capital punishment, and national liberation; and the international focus on nuclear annihilation, violations of human rights, and torture. Addressing the West at its metaphysical and mythic roots, "Camus" sought to diagnose the interior forces that seemed to propel humanity toward self-destruction. David Sprintzen offers the first original and comprehensive analysis in English of the thought of Albert Camus from a philosophical perspective. Previous literary and psychoanalytical studies have presented Camus' life and works biographically, but philosophers have neither taken his thought seriously nor examined his work as a whole. With analytical precision and philosophical depth, Sprintzen confronts a corpus whose contemporary resonances as well as Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian origins dramatize the metaphysical foundations of Western experience. In this seventy-fifth anniversary of the philosopher's birth, "Camus: A Critical Examination" shows how his analysis of political action offers a radical and nondogmatic perspective from which contemporary struggles can gain significant illumination. Author note: David Sprintzen is Professor of Philosophy at C.W. Post College of Long Island University.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am indebted to David Sprintzen for his scholarly, detailed, reflective treatment of one of the more important philosophers of this century."
—Robert E. Lauder, Canadian Philosophical Review

"Camus enthusiasts will find a great deal to reminisce about, in this detailed presentation written by an admiring advocate of Camus's positions, articulate and unflinching even when these are ambiguous, incoherent, or simply remote and relevant only in the narrow context of Camus's dated quarrels with personal adversaries."
—French Review

"Sprintzen's book is a splendid invitation to join in an intense dialogue concerning human existence and the turbulent civilization in which Camus and his readers raise and attempt to answer questions. The synoptic analysis and delicate care which Sprintzen gives to virtually every important work of Camus show not only his master of Camus' literary corpus, but his determination to understand Camus' entire project.... I recommend it with enthusiasm."
—Ronald E. Santoni, Denison University

From the Publisher

A comprehensive analysis in English of the thought of Albert Camus from a philosophical perspective --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 261 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (February 26, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877228272
• ISBN-13: 978-0877228271
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,492,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( C ) > Camus, Albert

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must for any camus scholar's library, September 27, 2004

By 

Dr Simons "Dr Simons" (OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Camus: A Critical Examination (Paperback)

i am glad to see that this book is still in publication, having bought it a number of years ago. it is indispensable, and provides a systematic presentation of camus and his major, and minor, works. i would certainly suggest it for any camus scholar or those even mildly interested in his life and works.