Irving Babbitt was an American academic and literary critic, noted for his founding role in the movement known as New Humanism. This intellectual current significantly influenced literary discussion and conservative thought between 1910 and 1930. Babbitt positioned himself as a cultural critic in the tradition of Matthew Arnold, consistently opposing romanticism, particularly as exemplified by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. His humanism advocated for classical values while also offering an ecumenical defense of religion, drawing upon a broad knowledge of various moral and religious traditions.
Babbitt's edition of Racine's Phèdre is an invaluable resource for students of French literature. In addition to the text of the play, Babbitt provides a detailed introduction that situates it within its historical and literary context. His notes offer insightful commentary on the language, characters, and themes of the play, making it accessible to readers of all levels.
In the title tale of this original collection, Voltaire addresses the social and political problems of his own day in an ancient Babylonian setting. "Zadig" challenges 18th-century religious orthodoxy by portraying life's vicissitudes as the product of destiny rather than individual choices. Additional selections of the Enlightenment philosopher's short fiction include "Micromegas," "The World As It Is," "Jeannot and Colin," and other stories.
The book is a facsimile reprint of an original antiquarian text, emphasizing its cultural significance. It may include imperfections typical of older works, such as marks and notations. The publisher aims to protect and promote literature by making this historically important work accessible through affordable, high-quality editions that remain faithful to the original.
Irving Babbitt, a prominent figure in American literary criticism, is celebrated for his insightful analyses and philosophical perspectives on literature and culture. His work emphasizes the importance of moral and ethical considerations in literature, advocating for a balance between emotion and intellect. Babbitt's critiques often challenge modernism and highlight the value of classical ideals, making him a significant voice in the discourse on the role of literature in society. His contributions continue to influence literary criticism today.
. . . one of the few truly important works of political thought.—Russell KirkIrving Babbitt was a leader of the intellectual movement called American Humanism, or the New Humanism, and a distinguished professor of French literature at Harvard. Democracy and Leadership, first published in 1924, is his only directly political book, and in it he applies the principles of humanism to the civil social order.Babbitt rejects all deterministic philosophies of history, whether they be the older type found in Saint Augustine or Bossuet, which tends to make of man the puppet of God, or the new type, which tends in all its varieties to make of man the puppet of nature. He offers a compelling critique of unchecked majoritarianism and addresses the great problem of how to discover leaders with standards.