In this reissue, originally published in English in 1973, French philosopher Lucien Goldmann turns his attention to the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, the great age of liberalism and individualism and analyses the 'mental structures' of the outlook of the philosophes, who showed that the ancien regime and the privileges of the Church were irrational anachronisms. In assessing the strengths and limitations of individualism, Goldmann considers the achievements and limitations of the Enlightenment. He discusses the views of Hegel and Marx and examines the relation between liberal scepticism and traditional Christianity to point the way to the possible reconciliation of the two seemingly incompatible 'world visions' of East and West today.

In this reissue, originally published in English in 1973, French philosopher Lucien Goldmann turns his attention to the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, the great age of liberalism and individualism and analyses the 'mental structures' of the outlook of the philosophes, who showed that the ancien regime and the privileges of the Church were irrational anachronisms.

In assessing the strengths and limitations of individualism, Goldmann considers the achievements and limitations of the Enlightenment. He discusses the views of Hegel and Marx and examines the relation between liberal scepticism and traditional Christianity to point the way to the possible reconciliation of the two seemingly incompatible 'world visions' of East and West today.

This text re-issues an important work by Lucien Goldmann, based on his university lectures from 1967-8, and first published in English in 1977. It focuses upon two of the twentieth century's most important philosophers, Gy?rgy Luk?cs and Martin Heidegger, demonstrating the origins of existentialist thought in the implicit connection between the two. This book represents the application of methodology already developed in The Hidden God and also sees Goldmann elaborating the differences between himself and Luk?cs for the sake of defining his own Marxist perspective.

This text re-issues an important work by Lucien Goldmann, based on his university lectures from 1967-8, and first published in English in 1977. It focusses upon two of the twentieth century's most important philosophers, Gyoergy Lukacs and Martin Heidegger, demonstrating the origins of of existenialist thought in the implicit connection between the two. This book represents the application of methodology already developped in The Hidden God and also sees Goldmann elaborating the differences between himself and Lukacs for the sake of defining his own Marxist perspective.

This remarkable text, first published in 1964, was a landmark of its era and remains, in the words of Michael Loewy, a work of "remarkable richness." Drawing on Georg Lukacs' History and Class Consciousness, Lucien Goldmann applies the concept of "world visions" to flesh out the similarities between Pascal's Pensees and Kant's critical philosophy, contrasting them with the rationalism of Descartes and the empiricism of Hume. For Goldmann, a leading exponent of the most fruitful method of applying Marxist ideas to literary and philosophical problems, the "tragic vision" marked an important phase in the development of European thought, as it moved from rationalism and empiricism to the dialectical philosophy of Hegel, Marx and Lukacs. Here he offers a general approach to the problems of philosophy, of literary criticism, and of the relationship between thought and action in human society.

The now legendary Dialectics of Liberation congress, held in London in 1967, was a unique expression of the politics of dissent. Existential psychiatrists, Marxist intellectuals, anarchists, and political leaders met to discuss key social issues. Edited by David Cooper, The Dialectics of Liberation compiles interventions from congress contributors Stokely Carmichael, Herbert Marcuse, R. D. Laing, Paul Sweezy, and others, to explore the roots of social violence. Against a backdrop of rising student frustration, racism, class inequality, and environmental degradation-a setting familiar to readers today-the conference aimed to create genuine revolutionary momentum by fusing ideology and action on the levels of the individual and of mass society. The Dialectics of Liberation captures the rise of a forceful style of political activity that came to characterize the following years.

Immanuel Kant was a philosopher at the end of the 18th century Enlightenment. Kant's magnum opus, the Critique of Pure Reason, aimed to unite reason with experience to move beyond what he took to be failures of traditional philosophy and metaphysics. Kant's influence on Western thought has been profound. Over and above his influence on specific thinkers, Kant changed the framework within which philosophical inquiry has been carried out. He is seen as a major figure in the history and development of philosophy, and his influence still inspires philosophical work today. Over the years Lucien Goldmann's excellent study of Kant has remained the classic introductory text to Kant's legacy and philosophy.