The Genre That’s a Shortcut to Wisdom
As a busy adult, I approach foundational, complicated ideas with the help of the intellectual biography.
This edition of the Books Briefing explores the importance of biographies in understanding complex and foundational ideas in philosophy. An editor questions the writer's grasp of key French philosophers, including Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, Jacques Derrida, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The writer admits they are not well-versed in these thinkers but are familiar with some of their most famous works and concepts.
A group of 20th-century French philosophers, often referred to as the Structuralists, argued against the relevance of an author's biography in understanding their works. The writer reads an Atlantic essay by Lynn Steger Strong, which discusses a new group biography of these philosophers. Strong believes that biographies provide crucial context for understanding the development of influential ideas.
The writer reflects on their own learning experiences, citing Karl Marx's biography as a key example. They emphasize the importance of understanding an intellectual tradition and the influence of previous thinkers on Marx's ideas. The writer encourages readers to explore biographies, citing a list of recommended group biographies that provide insight into the lives and impact of influential individuals.
The writer concludes with a recommendation for a memoir about Roy Cohn, a prominent figure in 20th-century New York City, written by Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark. They note that this biography will provide a deeper understanding of the environment that shaped influential leaders, including the current president.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
