First published 2017
France in the early 1970s simmered with political upheaval following the 1968 protests. Industrial strikes and civil unrest gripped the nation while intellectuals questioned the foundations of freedom and revolt. Philippe Gavi captures this turbulent moment through conversations between three key figures: philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, journalist Philippe Gavi himself, and Maoist activist Pierre Victor. These discussions, conducted from 1972 to 1974, reveal Sartre wrestling with his complex relationship to the French Communist Party and working through his views on socialism and liberty. The trio examines fundamental questions about ethics, oppression, and racism while addressing contemporary crises including immigration, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Chile's 1973 military coup. Two central themes emerge from their debates: the proper foundation for ethical thinking and the essential qualities of a revolutionary. This English translation, featuring a new preface by Gavi, provides readers with direct access to the philosophical and political currents that shaped one of France's most influential thinkers during a pivotal historical moment.
Genres: philosophy, 20th-century, political-science, politics, activism
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: France
Period: 1970s
334 pages · Hardcover · Routledge