Philosophy as Passion

Drawing on Foucault's concept of ethics as an "art of living," this book shows how Beauvoir developed an individual ethic as an intellectual woman. It illustrates how closely Beauvoir's life and work were intertwined-how she lived her philosophy and philosophized her life. "Accessible, attractively written (and very well translated), Vintges's study is a convincing defence of de Beauvoir against some of the more common criticisms." —Radical Philosophy " . . . Vintges's meticulous textual analysis, logical clarity, and sweeping originality guarantee her book its enduring value. Indispensable for students of Beauvoir's philosophy and existentialism, Vintges's book will prove valuable as well in courses on ethics, postmodernism, and feminist theory." —Ethics ". . . a highly informative book." —Teaching Philosophy " . . . important . . . well worth reading." —Library Journal ". . . clearly written, comprehensive . . . will prove valuable as well in courses on ethics, postmodernism, and feminist theory." —Ethics "The book is essential reading for those interested in Beauvoir and in existentialism generally." —Women's Philosophy Review "The moral theory revealed offers ethical answers to some of today's most difficult issues." —AAUW Outlook Philosophy as Passion refutes the commonly held view of Simone de Beauvoir as no more than an acolyte of Jean-Paul Sartre. Karen Vintges delineates Beauvoir's independent, original ethics and philosophy, drawing on the moral-philosophical treatises of the 1940s and '50s, The Second Sex, The Mandarins, and her autobiographical works. Vintges shows that Beauvoir's unique notions added an ethical dimension to existentialist philosophy.