The Philosophy of H.P. Lovecraft: The Route to Horror

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Peter Lang, 1999 - Literary Criticism - 251 pages
H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) was a great horror writer, correspondent, and philosopher. This book focuses on his stories, texts, and ideas. It attempts to make sense of their underlying unity. The main themes are value nihilism, cosmicism, the language of the unsayable, and the tension between science and magic. Special attention is paid to Lovecraft's style, which is shown to be an essential aspect of his creativity. Lovecraft was also an interesting person whose life is documented in his many letters. This book unifies the biographical, fictional, and philosophical dimensions of Lovecraft's writings.

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Contents

The Man and the Reception of His Work
1
The Music of Erich Zann
7
Who Are You Mr Lovecraft? From Authorship to Nihilism
17
Copyright

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About the author (1999)

The Author: Timo Airaksinen is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He has written extensively on the history of philosophy, epistemology, and ethics. His previous books include The Ethics of Coercion and Authority (1988) and The Philosophy of the Marquis De Sade (1995). He has lectured in the United States and many other countries.

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