https://www.academia.edu/10132525/Camus_Hellenic_Heart_Between_Augustine_and_Hegel

Camus’ Hellenic Heart, Between Augustine and HegelMatthew J Sharpe

This chapter for Adam Goldwyn and James Nikopoulos ed. *Brill’s Companion to Classical Reception in International Modernism and the Avant Garde* looks at Camus’ philhellenism, arguing that it is both what shapes his thought, and makes it singular in the post-war French scene.  In four parts, it looks at Camus’ early “Greece of the flesh”, rooted in his upbringing and education; Camus’ critique of political messianisms or theologies, based in his appeal to classical mesure, and a moderate philosophical scepticism; Camus’ “virtue ethics” and his critique of heroism, fidelity, and authenticity as ideals (as “secondary virtues”) in particular; then Camus’ cultivation of literature, “style,” and philiosophical self-writing in the Carnets as a way of life.