Routledge Gaston Bachelard: Critic of Science and Imagination

Explore the complex legacy of one of the most influential French thinkers in this deep study by Cristina Chimisso. Part of the Routledge Studies in Twentieth-Century Philosophy series, this book examines the life and work of Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962) by placing him within the context of French cultural life during the first half of the twentieth century. The text provides a unique perspective by analyzing how Bachelard's admirers created a mythical image of him as a Patriarch and a 'Teacher of Happiness.' Chimisso contrasts these literary representations and portraits with Bachelard's actual views on philosophy, his personal moral ideas, and his specific pedagogical approach. This study offers a clear look at the difference between the public persona and the real philosopher. It is an essential resource for students and scholars interested in the philosophy of science and the history of twentieth-century French thought.