Jean-Paul Sartre's Anarchist Philosophy

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The influence of anarchists such as Proudhon and Bakunin is apparent in Jean-Paul Sartres political writings, from his early works of the 1920s to Critique of Dialectical Reason, his largest political piece. Yet, scholarly debate overwhelmingly concludes that his political philosophy is a Marxist one. In this landmark study, William L. Remley sheds new light on the crucial role of anarchism in Sartres writing, arguing that it fundamentally underpins the body of his political work. Sartres political philosophy has been infrequently studied and neglected in recent years. Introducing newly translated material from his early oeuvre, as well as providing a fresh perspective on his colossal Critique of Dialectical Reason, this book is a timely re-invigoration of this topic. It is only in understanding Sartres anarchism that one can appreciate the full meaning not only of the Critique, but of Sartres entire political philosophy. This book sets forth an entirely new approach to Sartres political philosophy by arguing that it espouses a far more radical anarchist position than has been previously attributed to it. In doing so, Jean-Paul Sartre's Anarchist Philosophy not only fills an important gap in Sartre scholarship but also initiates a much needed revision of twentieth century thought from an anarchist perspective.

Reviews

This original and welcome addition to the critical work on Sartres political philosophy sets it in the context of an analysis of historical theories of anarchism. Based on a close reading of some of Sartres most difficult texts up to and including the Critique of Dialectical Reason (1960), it teases out the different strands which manifest themselves in these works and refuses to go along with accepted interpretations of Sartres relationship to Marxism. * Margaret Majumdar, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Portsmouth, UK *
I couldnt put this beautifully written book down. From its first line onward, it is a rich, page-turner, full of insight, nuanced discussion, erudition, and breadth. Sartres affinity to anarchy is well known, especially in his interviews with his godson John (Tito) Gerassi, but his classic early critique of the anarchic consciousness is also often overlooked. This wonderful work brings all together in a breath-taking intellectual and political history, hitting head-on problems of sovereignty, state, and government, distinctions often overlooked in their importance. Its worth reading beyond ones interest in Sartres thought since, as a work of political intellectual history primarily of English, French, and German anarchism, it stands on its own. There is much at which to applause and with which to disagree or recommend for improvement, which amounts, in sum, and in true attunement with philosophies of anarchy, a work deserving of celebration and reflectiona, in short, must read. * Lewis Gordon, Professor of Philosophy, University of Connecticut, USA *
Anyone interested in Sartres political theorizing should read Remleys groundbreaking study. In challenging standard readings that affix Sartre to the hip of Marx and in clearly delineating Sartres anarchist influences and commitments, this monograph will change the shape of how we understand Sartres political development and mature political thought. * Matthew Eshleman, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of North Carolina, USA *

Author Bio

William L. Remley is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Saint Peters University in New Jersey, USA. He has published several articles on Sartre including Sartre and Engels: the Critique of Dialectical Reason and the Confrontation on the Dialectics of Nature,(2012) and le Juif et le Colon, Figures psychologiques chez Jean-Paul Sartre et Frantz Fanon (2013).