Tzvetan Todorov: Thinker and Humanist

by Henk de Berg (Editor), Karine Zbinden (Editor)

Overview

The first-ever comprehensive examination of Tzvetan Todorov's cultural theory and his place in European thought.



Originally known for his groundbreaking work in literary studies, the Bulgarian-born French scholar Tzvetan Todorov (1939-2017) was one of the world's foremost cultural theorists. His interventions cover an astounding range of topics, from narratology to ethics, from painting to politics, and from the Enlightenment to current affairs. This collection of essays is the first-ever comprehensive examination of Todorov as a cultural critic. It offers in-depth discussions of the crucial elements of his thought since his historical and cultural turn in the early 1980s: his "marginal centricity" within the French intellectual field, and his relations with other French thinkers; his philosophical precursors and influences, notably Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Mikhail Bakhtin; his conception of the Enlightenment; his views on historiography, and on the possibility and limitations of passing historical judgments; his defense of a European identity; and his political philosophy, including his critique of totalitarianism, neoconservativism, and neoliberalism. Written by international experts in the fields of Enlightenment studies, literary and cultural studies, critical theory, and intellectual history, this volume offers both an introduction to one of the most important postwar European thinkers and discussions of some of the most hotly debated topics in cultural studies today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781571139962
Publisher:	BOYDELL & BREWER INC
Publication date:	04/15/2020
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

HENK DE BERG is Professor of German at the University of Sheffield. He has authored a book for Camden House (Freud's Theory and Its Use in Literary and Cultural Studies, 2002, pb 2004) and co-edited two (Modern German Thought, 2012, and Tzvetan Todorov, 2020).

KARINE ZBINDEN is Senior Lecturer in French at the University of Sheffield.

Table of Contents

Introduction
A Marginal Centrist: Tzvetan Todorov and the French Intellectual Field
Todorov and Camus
The Enlightenment Redux: Autonomy in Todorov, Glucksmann, and Onfray
Todorov's Reading of Rousseau: A Heritage for Our Times?
Tzvetan Todorov's Enlightenment
Todorov and Bakhtin
Tzvetan Todorov and the Writing of History
Tzvetan Todorov and the Trials of History: A Dissenting Voice
European Integration and the Cultural Cold War: Todorov and Denis de Rougemont
Tzvetan Todorov on Totalitarianism, Scientism, and Utopia
Tzvetan Todorov's Political Philosophy
Interview with Tzvetan Todorov

Editorial Reviews

The Bulgarian-born French scholar, writer, and intellectual Tzvetan Todorov was one of the most accomplished minds of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries: however, the many books that he has authored since parting ways with the Structuralist movement of the 60s and 70s have not received anywhere near the consideration they deserve, even though they constitute his most significant contribution to the critical study of culture, society, politics, and art. This critical overview of Todorov's life and intellectual evolution provides a summary of his long, highly productive, and wide-ranging career, bringing much-needed and richly deserved attention to his thought. The editors and contributors have brilliantly succeeded in their task: written in clear, precise, jargon-free, and enjoyable prose, the book is highly accessible even to undergraduates, yet it is remarkably learned, having much to say about intellectual history and Todorov's place in it. Instructors, graduate students, and advanced researchers will all benefit from this book. - Nathan Bracher, Professor of French, Texas A&M University

Nathan Bracher

It is curious that until now there has been no full-length study of the work of Tzvetan Todorov. And while Todorov's early structuralist phase is frequently discussed in accounts of literary theory in general and structuralism in particular, his later work remains to a large extent unknown and little remarked. This book is therefore welcome, and a decisive intervention in the debate over his significance. The portrait presented of Todorov has several foci, including his 'marginal centricity' within the French intellectual field; his philosophical precursors and influences, in particular Rousseau and Bakhtin; his conception of the Enlightenment; his views on historiography and on historical judgments; his defense of a European identity; and his political philosophy and critiques of totalitarianism, neoconservativism, and neoliberalism. Throughout, the contributors relate Todorov's later political thought to contemporary debates and discussions in ways that are illuminating and helpful. - Paul Bishop, Professor of German and William Jacks Chair in Modern Languages, University of Glasgow

Paul Bishop

The Bulgarian-born French scholar, writer, and intellectual Tzvetan Todorov was one of the most accomplished minds of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries: however, the many books that he has authored since parting ways with the Structuralist movement of the 60s and 70s have not received anywhere near the consideration they deserve, even though they constitute his most significant contribution to the critical study of culture, society, politics, and art. This critical overview of Todorov's life and intellectual evolution provides a summary of his long, highly productive, and wide-ranging career, bringing much-needed and richly deserved attention to his thought. The editors and contributors have brilliantly succeeded in their task: written in clear, precise, jargon-free, and enjoyable prose, the book is highly accessible even to undergraduates, yet it is remarkably learned, having much to say about intellectual history and Todorov's place in it. Instructors, graduate students, and advanced researchers will all benefit from this book. --Nathan Bracher, Professor of French, Texas A&M University

It is curious that until now there has been no full-length study of the work of Tzvetan Todorov. And while Todorov's early structuralist phase is frequently discussed in accounts of literary theory in general and structuralism in particular, his later work remains to a large extent unknown and little remarked. This book is therefore welcome, and a decisive intervention in the debate over his significance. The portrait presented of Todorov has several foci, including his "marginal centricity" within the French intellectual field; his philosophical precursors and influences, in particular Rousseau and Bakhtin; his conception of the Enlightenment; his views on historiography and on historical judgments; his defense of a European identity; and his political philosophy and critiques of totalitarianism, neoconservativism, and neoliberalism. Throughout, the contributors relate Todorov's later political thought to contemporary debates and discussions in ways that are illuminating and helpful. --Paul Bishop, Professor of German and William Jacks Chair in Modern Languages, University of Glasgow

From the Publisher