The Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade

by Timo Airaksinen

Overview

The Marquis de Sade is famous for his forbidden novels like Justine, Juliette, and the 120 Days of Sodom. Yet, despite Sade's immense influence on philosophy and literature, his work remains relatively unknown. His novels are too long, repetitive, and violent. At last in The Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade, a distinguished philosopher provides a theoretical reading of Sade.
Airaksinen examines Sade's claim that in order to be happy and free we must do evil things. He discusses the motivations of the typical Sadean hero, who leads a life filled with perverted and extreme pleasures, such as stealing, murder, rape, and blasphemy. Secondary sources on Sade, such as Hobbes, Erasmusm, and Brillat-Savarin are analyzed, and modern studies are evaluated. The Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade greatly enhances our understanding of Sade and his philosophy of pain and perversion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415112291
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/16/1995
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Timo Airaksinen is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He has written extensively on ethics, epistemology, and the history of philosophy.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 1 SADE: PHILOSOPHY AND ITS BACKGROUND 2 THE MEANING OF PERVERSION 3 NATURE AND THE VOID 4 HEDONISM IN PSYCHOLOGY 5 THE ETHIC OF VICE 6 THE PARODY OF THE CIVIL CONTRACT 7 STYLE AND THE AMBIGUITY OF VICE 8 THE PRIMACY OF THE GOOD 9 SADE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS