(Merci au traducteur David Walker)
Matthieu Donnarumma et Rémi Baudouï : « Camus et Nietzsche. À propos des Actuelles (1944-1948) »
The analyses of the influence of Greek philosophy on Camus’ thought have, over time, uncovered the importance of the Nietzsche of The Birth of Tragedy as regards his reflections on a nihilist world and on the absurd freed from God. From a dual perspective embracing an analysis of the reception of Nietzsche by intellectuals in France and an analysis of the work itself, the writer emerges as deeply marked by the philosopher even while breaking free from him with the passage of time. The Second World War and its ensuing desolations mark a break in his passion for Nietzsche. In L’Homme révolté this leads him to go beyond the contradictions in the relation between pessimism and messianism to propose, as the only alternative to renunciation, involvement in the events of the material world whatever may be the price of victory or indeed failure. Actuelles, 1944-1948, which precedes the publication of L’Homme révolté, investigates in its texts on current affairs, albeit under the aegis of Nietzsche, the modes of a critical distanciation from the perspectives of history, justice and politics.
Samara Fernanda A. O. de Lócio e Silva Geske, « L’écrivain corrige la création divine : la genèse de la section « Révolte et art« de L’Homme révolté »
In a note on La Peste, Camus writes, « The doctor, the enemy of God, struggles against death » : from a reading of L’Homme révolté we can extend this epithet to the writer, for we discover here that artistic creation is one of the expressions of the human revolt against the human condition. In this sense, it is interesting to note that in the section entitled « Metaphysical revolt », the subject is above all writers whose revolt constitutes a blasphemous gesture against God the creator. But the revolt of the writers in question aims primarily to destroy or erase the divine creation. In « Revolt and art », Camus returns to the issue and proposes a solution which appears to be positive : the correction of creation by means of art. As in all his work, he rejects the Christian response, that of grace, and sides with the « damned ». These references show that in writing « Revolt and art », Camus locates himself within a problematic which emerges specifically in the France of that era, that is to say, the relationship between artistic creation and metaphysics considered in a Christian perspective, through a whole body of Catholic critics and philosophers. We note that Camus is not unaware of this of this question when we consider the works that he consults and the references we find in this section of his essay. Our aim is to elucidate briefly the writing of « Revolt and art » on the basis of the Agnely manuscript, and to read its development in the light of the discussions of the relationship between art and metaphysics which Camus knew and/ or cited, and their echoes in the composition of « Revolt and art ».
Cécile Beslé, « Lire Camus avec Ricœur : Les trois stades de la symbolique du mal de La Mort heureuse à La Chute
Based on the analysis proposed by the philosopher Paul Ricœur of the three stages of the symbolism of evil–archaic, ethical and supra‑ethical, Cécile Beslé studies the presence of the primary symbols of evil that are defilement, sin and guilty in Camus’ narrative writing and more particularly in A Happy Death and The Fall. These two novels have the value of poles illustrating the path taken by the author in his literary approach to evil. Evil, initially perceived as external, tends to become internalized and complex. This evolution goes hand in hand with the disappearance of the boundaries between good and evil, the difficulty of the relationship with others and the crucial question of individual freedom in the face of evil.
Arezou Davdar, « (Omni)Présence d’Albert Camus en Iran ».
Albert Camus, a key figure of 20th-century literature, has left a profound mark on Iran through his reflections on the absurd, revolt, and the human condition. His works have gained significant traction among Iranian writers, translators, and thinkers, resonating with the country’s socio-political upheavals. Translated extensively, his books — such as The Stranger and The Plague — and plays like Caligula have become staples in Iranian literature and theatre, often adapted to reflect local realities. Authors like Jalâl Âl-e Ahmad and poets like Ahmad Châmlou draw inspiration from Camus, weaving his themes of absurdity and rebellion into their works. The constant retranslations of his texts, their widespread sales, and frequent theatrical performances highlight his broad influence across Iranian politics, society, art, and philosophy. This article explores Camus’ reception in Iran, tracing his impact from literary circles to the press, academia, and general readership. His ideas offer a lens to examine tyranny, justice, and individual revolt, mirroring Iran’s own struggles. The study suggests further research into his influence on modern Iranian art forms like cinema.
Jean-Pierre Barou, « Are you a Camusian or a Sartrean ? »
This question, put to me by Daniel Cohn-Bendit, continues to stand like an impenetrable wall. To choose one is to eliminate the other. Of course, a confrontation did exist between the two writers, with Sartre telling Camus, in reference to L’Homme révolté published in 1951 and much admired by Hannah Arendt : « And what if your book testifies to your philosophical incompetence ? » Camus produced an official reply in which he refused to be, as Sartre was, « at the service of history» – already, in 1948, he had opposed « the historical spirit », leading in his eyes to immoral nihilism, to « the artist », whom beauty protects from this excess. And an unofficial response : a play, L’Impromptu des philosophes, which remained virtually secret until 2006 – in which Sartre is caricatured as « Mr. Nothingness ». Should we have left it at that ? To do so was to freeze Camus and Sartre in outdated roles, forgetting that Sartre was to delve into the moral question from the 1970s onwards, even to the point of reflecting on the « religious phenomenon ». To forget Camus’s own interest in this question, in responsibility : « I revolt, therefore we are ». Ignoring the convergence that unites them beyond this dispute is to freeze them in a barren posture.