Remembrance of Raymond and Aaron: Fifty Years of Political Reflection

Author: (French) Aaron, translated by Yang Zuguang and others
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Aaron, who wrote editorials for Le Figaro for 20 years, records in this book the process of his lifelong struggle with the left-wing intellectuals of France in a clear and accessible style. Especially the long-term debate between him and his classmate, the left-wing thinker Sartre, is considered a distinctive case in modern thought. Aaron has always taken it upon himself to be a calm left-wing cultural enthusiast, though he often felt "on the fringes," he remained steadfast in his stance to the end. From him, we can see some resilient and distinctive qualities of liberals: he was reluctant to propose grand and consistent systems, dared not speak with certainty about a perfect society, and was cautious about promises of group salvation. As Sartre remarked, he "belonged to those who always kept a historical distance from fiery historical movements," and he set the task for his life as "understanding my era as honestly as possible, always remembering the limitations of my knowledge." It is precisely this intellectual character of Aaron that enables his works to "shine the eyes of a generation of intellectuals."