Humanism and Terror

Humanism and Terror is a 1947 political philosophy book by Merleau-Ponty that examines the separation of Marxism and humanism in the aftermath of World War II. He argues that the purges were the result of abandoning subjective elements of Marx's theory, resulting in the suspension of humanism and the establishment of terroristic government.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Humanism and Terror, a seminal work of political philosophy, was first published in France in 1947. Authored by one of the foremost French philosophers of the 20th century, this profound text delves into the complexities of the dislocated world that emerged after the Second World War, encompassing the divided France of Merleau-Ponty himself. In his quest to comprehend the fractured world, Merleau-Ponty poses a fundamental question: how did Marxism and humanism diverge?

To explore this inquiry, Merleau-Ponty employs a captivating interpretation of Arthur Koestler's renowned novel, Darkness at Noon. This allegorical portrayal of the Stalinist show trials and purges of the 1930s serves as a lens through which Merleau-Ponty examines the costs associated with a regime of perpetual revolution and false confessions. His profound and contentious assertion, however, is that the purges were the inevitable consequence of neglecting crucial subjective elements of Marx's theory of history, ultimately leading to the suspension of humanism and the emergence of government as terror.

As we navigate the contemporary landscape characterized by authoritarianism, political polarization, and the curtailment of human freedom, the dislocated world vividly depicted by Merleau-Ponty in Humanism and Terror continues to resonate with profound significance. This Routledge Classics edition, featuring a new Foreword by William McBride, ensures that the timeless message of this influential work remains accessible to a broader audience.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032341149