Black Circle: A Life of Alexandre Kojeve

Alexandre Kojève (1902–1968) was a Russian-born French philosopher who interpreted Hegel and declared that history had ended. He was a critic of Martin Heidegger and interlocutor of Leo Strauss, and wrote unpublished works on quantum physics, the problem of the infinite, Buddhism, atheism, and Vassily Kandinsky's paintings. Jeff Love's book "The Black Circle" reinterprets Kojève's works, showing him to be an essential thinker who challenged modern society and its valuation of individuality, self-interest, and freedom from death. It emphasizes his neglected Russian roots and explores notions of perfection, freedom, and finality in his account of Hegel and his later works, clarifying Kojève's emancipatory thinking and the meaning of the "end of history."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Alexandre Kojève, a prominent and thought-provoking philosopher, left an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape. Born in Russia, he spent the majority of his life in France, where his interpretation of Hegel and his audacious assertion that history had reached its culmination had a profound impact on French thinkers and writers such as Raymond Aron, Georges Bataille, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Jacques Lacan, and Raymond Queneau. A unconventional Marxist, he was a vocal critic of Martin Heidegger and engaged in dialogues with Leo Strauss, playing a pivotal role in establishing the European Economic Community. A polyglot with diverse interests, Kojève authored numerous unpublished works on subjects ranging from quantum physics to the problem of infinity, Buddhism, atheism, and Vassily Kandinsky's paintings.

In his book, "The Black Circle," Jeff Love offers a fresh perspective on Kojève's works, positioning him as an indispensable thinker who dared to challenge the prevailing norms of modern society. By emphasizing Kojève's Russian roots, "The Black Circle" places him within the context of the late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Russian debates over the ultimate purpose of human existence. Love delves into Kojève's account of Hegel and his lesser-known later works, elucidating Kojève's emancipatory thinking and the significance of the oft-misunderstood "end of history." Through a combination of intellectual history, close textual analysis, and philosophy, "The Black Circle" unveils Kojève's thought as a profound critique of capitalist individualism and a timely exploration of human freedom.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231186575