Accident: A Philosophical and Literary History

Accident is the force that makes us modern, tracing the story of accident from Aristotle to Buster Keaton and beyond. It revives the tradition of the grand history of ideas, arguing that after the Reformation, the concept of accident began to change places with that of substance, becoming a life-transforming event and a person's essence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

From the ancient world of philosophy to the comedic brilliance of Tristram Shandy and the silent films of Buster Keaton, this book explores the captivating history of the concept of accident. It delves into the various ways in which accident has been perceived and interpreted throughout different eras, from the philosophical writings of Aristotle to the modern-day films of Keaton.

In the opening chapter, Rousseau is depicted as collapsing under the weight of a vision he accidentally glimpses in a newspaper notice. This incident serves as a catalyst for his philosophical exploration of the role of accident in shaping human existence. Giacometti, another character in the book, experiences an epiphany after being accidentally hit by a car. This event prompts him to reflect on the accidental nature of life and its profound impact on our understanding of the world.

Darwin introduces the concept of accident into the basic process of life, viewing it as a fundamental force that drives evolution. Freud, on the other hand, sees accident as the manifestation of unconscious desire. According to Ross Hamilton, accident is the force that has made us modern.

In his book, Hamilton traces the story of accident from Aristotle to Buster Keaton and beyond. He argues that Aristotle's distinction between accident and substance played a crucial role in shaping Western thought throughout antiquity and the Middle Ages. However, after the Reformation, Hamilton suggests that the concept of accident began to take on a different significance. It evolved from being merely an incidental event to becoming a life-transforming event and, in essence, a person's essence.

For moderns, Hamilton argues, it is the accidental, seemingly trivial moments of consciousness that create constellations of meaning in our lives. These moments, much like Wordsworth's "spots of time," hold the power to shape our identities and subjectivities. Throughout the book, Hamilton explores a wide range of images and texts, including Augustine, Dante, the frescoes of Raphael, Descartes, Jane Austen, the work of surrealists, and twentieth-century cinema. He uses these examples to illustrate how accident has influenced the evolution of personal identity and subjectivity.

In conclusion, Accident offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the history of Western thought. It challenges our conventional understanding of the concept of accident and reveals its profound impact on our lives. Through its exploration of various historical and cultural contexts, Hamilton provides a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy and offers a new way of mapping the mutations of personal identity and subjectivity.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226821047