Sartre on Violence

Ronald E. Santoni provides a rigorous philosophical examination of Jean-Paul Sartre's complex relationship with the concept of force in Sartre on Violence, Volume 1. This scholarly work traces the evolution of Sartrean thought from Materialism and Revolution in 1946 through Hope Now in 1980. Santoni explores the shifting perspectives of the famous existentialist, moving from early ideas of freedom affirming itself against oppression to a more ambivalent stance in later years. This text serves as a vital reference for students of existentialism and social science.

The analysis delves into the famous intellectual debate between Sartre and Albert Camus, specifically focusing on the 1952 disagreements regarding moral limits. Santoni also investigates the 1964 Rome Lecture to critique how Sartre addressed the legitimacy of terror and revolutionary killing. By examining these historical intersections of philosophy and social movements, this book investigates whether revolutionary violence can truly overcome mass alienation. It is a significant contribution to the study of violence in society.