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>