Barbarism

Barbarism represents a

critique, from the perspective of Michel Henry's unique philosophy of life, of

the increasing potential of science and technology to destroy the roots of

culture and the value of the individual human being. For Henry, barbarism

is the result of a devaluation of human life and culture that can be

traced back to the spread of quantification, the scientific method and

technology over all aspects of modern life. The book develops a compelling

critique of capitalism, technology and education and provides a powerful

insight into the political implications of Henry's work. It also opens up a new

dialogue with other influential cultural critics, such as Marx, Husserl, and Heidegger.

 First published in French in 1987, Barbarism

aroused great interest as well as virulent criticism. Today the book

reveals what for Henry is a cruel reality: the tragic feeling of powerlessness

experienced by the cultured person. Above all he argues for the importance

of returning to philosophy in order to analyse the root causes of

barbarism in our world.