American Literature Readings in the 21st Century Series

This study contends that American writer Cormac McCarthy not only is philosophical, or a "writer of ideas," but rather that he has a philosophy. Devoting one main chapter to each facet of McCarthy's thought - his metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, respectively - the study engages in focused readings of all of McCarthy's major works. Along the way, the study brings McCarthy's ideas into conversation with a host of philosophers who range from Plato to Alain Badiou, with figures such as William James, Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, and Slavoj Zizek featured prominently. Situated at the crossroads of literary studies, literary theory, cultural studies, continental philosophy, and theology, the appeal of Cormac McCarthy's Philosophy is widespread and deeply interdisciplinary.

Just War Theory and Literary Studies

by Ty Hawkins and Andrew Kim

Published 2 September 2021

This book questions when, why, and how it is just for a people to go to war, or to refrain from warring, in a post-9/11 world. To do so, it explores Just War Theory (JWT) in relationship to recent American accounts of the experience of war. The book analyses the jus ad bellum criteria of just war-right intention, legitimate authority, just cause, probability of success, and last resort-before exploring jus in bello, or the law that governs the way in which warfare is conducted. By combining just-war ethics and sustained explorations of major works of twentieth and twenty-first century American war writing, this study offers the first book-length reflection on how JWT and literary studies can inform one another fruitfully.