History much like his contemporaries has tended to judge <strong>Camus</strong> harshlyasmediocre philosopher conflicted man of the left and worst of all apolog... » 

History much like his contemporaries has tended to judge Camus harshlyasmediocre philosopher conflicted man of the left and worst of all apologistfor French imperialism. Yet as David Sherman argues in this rewarding newstudy a sensitive reading of the entirety of Camuss writings reveals both apower and unity of philosophical purpose. The ethicopolitical sympathiesmanifested in these writings evidence an integrity that places him among thegreatest and most vital humanist voices of our time. The book covers all Camussignificant writings and includes thorough expositions of The Myth of SisyphusThe Stranger The Fall The Plague and The Rebel. A discussion of themetaphysical and practical connotations of Camuss celebrated concept of TheAbsurd lays the foundation for a discussion of the later works which areconsidered in the context of Camuss basic ethical orientation. This it iscontended harkens back and with its recent resurgence forward to a virtueethics of sorts. It is argued that Camuss literary characters are purifiedphenomenological portraits that reflect the existential temptations of anoverwhelmed modern consciousness and the ethicopolitical works reflect theefforts of a morally committed consciousness to come to grips with a modernworld unable to make good the moral imperative. In the end it is argued Camusoffers a phenomenological ethics which is all that is left of virtue ethicswhen social life has broken down. «