Alexandre Kojève
Alexandre Kojève
James H. Nichols Jr.
Marc Andreessen
Marc Andreessen recommended this book on Twitter.
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Alexandre Kojève

Alexandre Kojève: Wisdom at the End of History

James H. Nichols Jr.
By
James H. Nichols Jr.
3.4
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In the intellectual landscape of the 20th century, Alexandre Kojève stands as a colossus, whose thoughts and teachings have influenced a myriad of philosophical landscapes. In "Alexandre Kojève" by James H. Nichols Jr., readers are invited on a profound journey through the intricate weave of Kojève's philosophical endeavors, with a keen focus on the political ramifications of his theories. Nichols masterfully dissects Kojève's major writings, unraveling the complexity of his thoughts while illuminating the philosophical underpinnings that propelled his discourse on political philosophy. This exploration is not just an academic endeavor but a revelation of the essence of Kojève's intellectual pursuit, offering a panoramic view of his philosophical evolution. Nichols' work transcends a mere biographical account; it serves as a critical analysis that bridges Kojève's early philosophical inquiries with his later, more politically charged discourse. Through a meticulous examination of Kojève's engagement with Hegelian dialectics, Nichols elucidates the transformative journey of Kojève's thought, from his initial pre-Hegelian phase to the profound contemplation of the "end of history." The book delves into the dual interpretations of history's cessation, presenting a nuanced understanding of Kojève's vision. This is not just a book for those interested in Kojève or Hegelian philosophy but a meaningful exploration for anyone intrigued by the profound questions of political theory, history, and the evolution of thought in the modern world.

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Released
2007
1 Jan
Length
160
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

Marc Andreessen recommended this book on Twitter.
Political authority, the authority of the State, may arise in a number of possible ways: in Locke's phrase, for instance, a father may become the "politic monarch" of an extended family; or a judge may acquire kingly authority in addition, as in Herodotus' tale. Whatever its first origin, political authority tends to include all four pure types of authority. Medieval scholastic teachings of the divine right of kings display this full extent of political authority. Even in this context, however, calls for independence of the judicial power arose, as exemplified by the Magna Carta; in this way the fact was manifested that the judge's authority, rooted in Eternity, stands apart from the three temporal authorities, which more easily go together, of father, master, and leader. The medieval teaching of the full extent of political authority is complicated and undermined by the existence of an unresolved conflict, namely that arising between ecclesiastical and state power, between Pope and Emperor, on account of the failure to work out an adequate distinction between the political and the ecclesiastical realms. The teachings of absolutism by thinkers such as Bodin and Hobbes resolved this conflict through a unified teaching of sovereignty that removed independent theological authority from the political realm. In reaction to actual and potential abuses of absolutism, constitutional teachings arose (often resting on the working hypothesis of a "social contract") and developed—most famously in Montesquieu—a doctrine of "separation of powers." This new tradition focused its attention on dividing and balancing political power, with a view to restricting it from despotic or tyrannical excess.Kojève makes the astute and fascinating observation that in this development from absolutism to constitutionalism, the authority of the father silently drops out of the picture, without any detailed analysis or discussion; political authority comes to be discussed as a combination of the authority of judge, leader, and master, viewed as judicial power, legislative power, and executive power. In this connection, Kojève makes the conservative or traditionalist Hegelian suggestion that, with the authority of the father dropped from the political realm, the political authority, disconnected from its past, will have a tendency towards constant change.
— James H. Nichols Jr., Alexandre Kojève

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