Johann Kaspar Schmidt, better known as Max Stirner, was a German philosopher considered one of the literary grandfathers of nihilism, existentialism, postmodernism, and anarchism, particularly individualist anarchism. His seminal work, first published in 1844, serves as a foundational text for understanding his radical philosophy. Through his writings, Stirner explores themes of individual liberty and ownership, rejecting external authorities and emphasizing the uniqueness of each 'ego' and its possessions. His influence continues to resonate in thought that challenges societal norms and institutions.
The Journal of Egoism 1845 - 1945. Rare and never-before-published essays and photographs on the first century of the philosophy of the self, the egoism of Max Stirner. For more information see UnionOfEgoists com.
This edition presents a compelling 19th-century German critique of left Hegelianism and socialism, highlighting the intellectual tensions of the era. The author argues against prevailing socialist ideas, offering a unique perspective that engages with the philosophical debates of the time. This work serves as a significant historical document, reflecting the ideological struggles and societal concerns of its period, making it an essential read for those interested in political philosophy and the evolution of socialist thought.
The Case of the Individual against Authority
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. A new paperback version from Active Distribution.