"John F. Welsh provides us with a superb distillation of the thought of Max Stirner and the dialecticalegoist paradigm he developed. Througth this brilliant study. Welsh demonstrates the power and breadth of dialectics as a radical mode of analysis and social transformation--Chris Matthew Sciabarra author of Total Freedom: Toward a Dialectical Libertarianism.
Max Stirner’s The Unique and Its Property (1844) is the first ruthless critique of modern society. In All Things are Nothing to Me, Jacob Blumenfeld reconstructs the unique philosophy of Max Stirner (1806–1856), a figure that strongly influenced—for better or worse—Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Emma Goldman as well as numerous anarchists, feminists, surrealists, illegalists, existentialists, fascists, libertarians, dadaists, situationists, insurrectionists and nihilists of the last two centuries. Misunderstood, dismissed, and defamed, Stirner’s work is considered by some to be the worst book ever written. It combines the worst elements of philosophy, politics, history, psychology, and morality, and ties it all together with simple tautologies, fancy rhetoric, and militant declarations. That is the glory of Max Stirner’s unique footprint in the history of philosophy. Jacob Blumenfeld wanted to exhume this dead tome along with its dead philosopher, but discovered instead that, rather than deceased, their spirits are alive and quite well, floating in our presence. All Things are Nothing to Me is a forensic investigation into how Stirner has stayed alive throughout time.
Welcome to the provocative world of Max Stirner's "The Ego and His Own," a philosophical journey that challenges conventional notions of individualism, society, and freedom. Prepare to embark on a thought-provoking exploration that pushes the boundaries of traditional thinking and invites readers to reconsider their own beliefs. As you delve into the pages of "The Ego and His Own," you'll encounter Stirner's groundbreaking ideas on egoism, emphasizing the sovereignty of the individual and the rejection of external authority. Through compelling arguments and sharp critiques, Stirner challenges readers to question the constraints of societal norms and embrace the power of self-interest. Join Stirner's relentless pursuit of personal freedom as he dismantles the illusions of morality, religion, and ideology that bind individuals to collective identities. Through incisive analysis and fearless rhetoric, Stirner advocates for radical self-liberation and the assertion of one's own desires and ambitions. Stirner's bold exploration of themes such as autonomy, self-realization, and existentialism resonates with readers seeking intellectual stimulation and philosophical insight. His provocative ideas provoke reflection and encourage readers to reevaluate their relationship with authority and social constructs. With its bold and uncompromising tone, "The Ego and His Own" challenges readers to confront the limitations of conventional wisdom and embrace the boundless potential of individual autonomy. Stirner's uncompromising vision of freedom and self-determination inspires readers to question the status quo and forge their own path in life. Since its publication in 1844, "The Ego and His Own" has sparked lively debate and garnered both praise and criticism for its radical ideas and uncompromising philosophy. Its enduring relevance continues to captivate readers interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and the nature of power. In conclusion, "The Ego and His Own" is more than just a philosophical treatise—it's a revolutionary manifesto that challenges readers to rethink their place in the world and embrace the full potential of individual autonomy. Whether you're a seasoned philosopher or a curious reader seeking intellectual stimulation, prepare to be captivated by the bold ideas and provocative insights of Max Stirner's timeless masterpiece. Don't miss your chance to engage with the radical ideas of Max Stirner. Let "The Ego and His Own" ignite your curiosity and challenge your beliefs. Grab your copy now and join the ranks of thinkers who have been inspired by Stirner's uncompromising vision of individual freedom.
Max Stirner's The Ego and Its Own is striking and distinctive in both style and content. First published in 1844, Stirner's distinctive and powerful polemic sounded the death-knell of left Hegelianism, with its attack on Ludwig Feuerbach, Bruno and Edgar Bauer, Moses Hess and others. It also constitutes an enduring critique of both liberalism and socialism from the perspective of an extreme eccentric individualism. Karl Marx was only one of many contemporaries provoked into a lengthy rebuttal of Stirner's argument. Stirner has been portrayed, variously, as a precursor of Nietzsche (both stylistically and substantively), a forerunner of existentialism and as an individualist anarchist. This edition of his work comprises a revised version of Steven Byington's much praised translation, together with an introduction and notes on the historical background to Stirner's text.
During the early 1970s a 'revival' took place of the philosophy of Max Stirner, born Johann Caspar Schmidt (1806-1856), whose book Der Einzige und Sein Eigentum has been called a 'revolutionary anarchist manual', a 'Banker's Bible', a 'structural model of petit-bourgeois self-consciousness' and other names since its appearance in 1844. The revival produced the most comprehensive study of Stirner in English to that date, R. W. K. Paterson's 1971 The Nihilistic Egoist: Max Stirner. While Paterson undertook to review Der Einzige as substantive philosophical discourse, paradoxically, and theologically, he would conclude that Stirner was doing metaphysics, to the point of a solipsistic frivolity. This study examines the fascinating but ultimately unsuccessful, if not buffoonish, case against Stirner by Paterson. I conclude that we should rethink Stirner not as metaphysician but as social critic and educator, a "root," ground-level or primal thinker, more relevant today than ever. And that his ideas and principles are ready to be spread and put to work now in criticism, current events and art. In this revision my purpose is to de-trivialize Stirner, tweak the paradigm further and introduce new material, with a view to reviving Saint Max where he belongs - in the company of heretics such as Chamfort, Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, George Orwell, Joseph Heller and George Carlin, to name a few.
"Presents English translations of Max Stirner's published responses to the major critics of his best known work, Der Einzige und sein Eigenthum ("The unique and its property"), including responses to Moses Hess, Ludwig Feuerbach, Szeliga in "Recensenten Stirner's" (Stirner's critics) and to Kuno Fischer in "Die Philosophischen Reaktionaere" (The philosophical reactionaries)."--verso of title page.
