Cormac McCarthy’s Philosophy

"In this book that is simultaneously concise and formidable, Ty Hawkins traces Cormac McCarthy's philosophical engagement (a project that has previously been undertaken by many) in order to argue that McCarthy's oeuvre demonstrates a coherent and consistent philosophy of its own (a project that has seldom been attempted.) Hawkins succeeds here because of the depth and breadth of his own knowledge and his strong powers of analysis and synthesis. To read this book is to see what's possible with the right tools--a theme that's not unheard of in McCarthy, either." (Stacey Peebles, Editor, The Cormac McCarthy Journal and NEH Associate Professor of English and Director of Film Studies, Centre College, USA)

Situated at the crossroads of literary studies, literary theory, cultural studies, continental philosophy, and theology, the appeal of Cormac McCarthy’s Philosophy is widespread and deeply interdisciplinary.This study contends that American writer Cormac McCarthy not only is philosophical, or a “writer of ideas,” but rather that he has a philosophy. Devoting one main chapter to each facet of McCarthy’s thought – his metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, respectively – the study engages in focused readings of all of McCarthy’s major works. Along the way, the study brings McCarthy’s ideas into conversation with a host of philosophers who range from Plato to Alain Badiou, with figures such as William James, Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, and Slavoj Žižek featured prominently. Situated at the crossroads of literary studies, literary theory, cultural studies, continental philosophy, and theology, the appeal of Cormac McCarthy’s Philosophy is widespread and deeply interdisciplinary.