Genre and Void: Looking Back at Sartre and Beauvoir 0754632962, 2002027771

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Genre and Void Looking Back at Sartre and Beauvoir

MAX DEUTSCHER .Macquarie University, Australia

ASHGATE

GENRE AND VOID Developing a reading of some of Beauvoir's and Sartre's most influential writings in philosophy, Max Deutscher explores contemporary philosophy in the light ofthe phenomenological tradition within which Being and Nothingness and The Second Sex occurred as striking events operating on the border of the modem and the post-modem. Deutscher traces the shifts of genre that produce their gendered philosophies, and responds in terms of contemporary experience to the mood and the arguments of their works. Drawing upon the writings of two contemporary critics in particular - Michele Le Dreuff and Luce lrigaray - Deutscher reworks this part of philosophy's history in order to advance thinking in contemporary philosophy, generate renewed philosophical reflection on consciousness, freedom and one's relation to others, and to return a look still cast in our direction from an earlier time.

ASHGATE NEW CRITICAL TIDNKING IN PIllLOSOPHY The Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Philosophy'series aims to bring higb quality research monograph publishing back into focus for authors, the

international library market, and student, academic and research readers. Headed by an international editorial advisory bbard of acclaimed scholars from across the philosophical spectrum, this new monograph series presents cutting-edge research from established as well as exciting new authors in the field; spans the breadth of philosophy and related disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives; and takes contemporary philosophical research into new directions and debate.

Series Editorial Board: David Cooper, University of Durham, UK Peter Lipton, University ofCarnbridge, UK Sean Sayers, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK Simon Critchley, University of Essex, UK Simon Glendinning, University of Reading, UK Paul Helm, King's College, University of London, UK David Lamb, University ofBirmingbam, UK John Post, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA Alan Goldman, University ofMiarni, Florida, USA Joseph Friggieri, University of Malta, Malta Graham Priest, University of Queensland, BrIsbane, Australia Moira Gatens, University of Sydney, Australia Alan Musgrave, University of Otago, New Zealand

© Max Deutscher 2003

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any mean$, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Max Deutscher has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as author of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Gower House Croft Road Aldershot HampshireGUI13HR England

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Deutscher, Max Genre and void: looking back at Sartre and Beauvoir.. ~Resooroas (Ashgate new critical thinking in philosophy) I.Sartre, Jean-Paul, 1905-1980 2.Beauvoir, Simone de, !2.S0~' "'I 1908-1986 I.Title 194

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Library orco.g ..... Cataloging-in-Publi.ation Data Deutscher, Max,1937Genre and void: looking back at Sartre and Beauvoir I Max Deutscher. p. cm. -- (Ashgate new critical thinking in philosophy) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7546-3296-2 I. Sartre, Jean Paul, 1905- 2. Beauvoir, Simone de, 1908-1. Title. II. Series. B2430.S34 048 2003 19