Paroxysm
To many, Baudrillard's writings are too abstract to comprehend and analyze; to some, they resemble poetry more than philosophical texts. Whatever one thinks of the man and his work, he is arguably one of the most controversial and stimulating contemporary French philosophers. This book, a series of interviews with him, can indeed be an effective way?especially for the novice reader of his work?to get an idea of his philosophy. The seven chapters cover various political, cultural, and philosophical issues ranging from the New World Order, Bosnia, and the Gulf War to Holocaust denial, human rights, and the nature of capitalism. Baudrillard's philosophy centers on the criticism of traditional critical thinking. His thesis is that we live in an illusion, or a "hyperreality," where reality is the illusion of truth. His diagnosis of contemporary issues and events sheds light on that philosophical thinking, which is identified with the post-Marxist intellectual Left. Highly recommended for academic collections.?Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NYCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.