Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2-2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Political Science
Advisor
Marshal Berman
Subject Categories
Philosophy | Political Science
Keywords
Albert Camus, Compassion, Justice, Political Philosophy, Political Theory
Abstract
The present work analyzes the political thought of Albert Camus, specifically the challenges of the justice ideal, and Camus' prioritization of the concepts of limits and compassion. Although Camus is not usually considered part of the traditional canon of political philosophy, I organized his thought into three major areas: a sub-theory of the human being, a sub-theory of institutions, and a sub-theory of political change. This method, I demonstrate, is ideal for extracting and organizing the political ideas of non-traditional political writers. In the case of Camus, he advocates for an international and democratic `civilization of dialogue' as part of his sub-theory of institutions, a preference for limited revolt over unpredictable and violent revolution as part of his sub-theory of political change, and, given what he called the `solidarity of man in error and aberration', a marked preference for compassion over justice in times of political crises as his sub-theory of the human being.
Recommended Citation
López-Santiago, Angel, "Albert Camus' political thought: from passion to compassion" (2014). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/67