Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade

<p>The Marquis de Sade is famous for his forbidden novels like <em>Justine, Juliette</em>, and the <em>120 Days of Sodom</em>. Yet, despite Sade's immense influence on philosophy and literature, his work remains relatively unknown. His novels are too long, repetitive, and violent. At last in <em>The Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade</em>, a distinguished philosopher provides a theoretical reading of Sade.<br> Airaksinen examines Sade's claim that in order to be happy and free we must do evil things. He discusses the motivations of the typical Sadean hero, who leads a life filled with perverted and extreme pleasures, such as stealing, murder, rape, and blasphemy. Secondary sources on Sade, such as Hobbes, Erasmusm, and Brillat-Savarin are analyzed, and modern studies are evaluated. <em>The Philosophy of the Marquis de Sade</em> greatly enhances our understanding of Sade and his philosophy of pain and perversion.</p> INTRODUCTION 1 SADE: PHILOSOPHY AND ITS BACKGROUND 2 THE MEANING OF PERVERSION 3 NATURE AND THE VOID 4 HEDONISM IN PSYCHOLOGY 5 THE ETHIC OF VICE 6 THE PARODY OF THE CIVIL CONTRACT 7 STYLE AND THE AMBIGUITY OF VICE 8 THE PRIMACY OF THE GOOD 9 SADE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS