Christian Signol’s Les vrais bonheurs and Michel Serres’s Biogée: Two Books of Joy for the Modern W`orld
ORCID
Moser: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3824-1021
MSU Affiliation
College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures
Creation Date
2026-06-01
Abstract
The purpose of this comparative study is to probe the common threads that exist between the prose of Christian Signol and the complex, interdisciplinary philosophy of Michel Serres. Specifically, this exploration delves into the problematic nature of the timeless pursuit of happiness in the modern world, as perceived by Signol and Serres. Predicated upon their astute observations of modernity and everything that it entails for the modern subject, the authors wonder whether it is becomingly increasingly difficult to project meaning upon the absurdity of existence in what they describe to be an inauthentic, sterile space. Moreover, both writers express their disquieting anxiety related to globalization and excessive urbanization. They assert that these interrelated processes have further problematized the elusive quest for happiness at the beginning of a new millennium. However, Signol and Serres remain cautiously optimistic that it is still possible to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. In this vein, they propose pragmatic ontological solutions for healing cosmic alienation including a revitalization of the senses.
Publication Date
7-15-2016
Publication Title
Neohelicon
Publisher
Springer; Akadémiai Kiadó
First Page
603
Last Page
619
Recommended Citation
Moser, K. Christian Signol’s Les vrais bonheurs and Michel Serres’s Biogée: Two books of joy for the modern world. Neohelicon 43, 603–619 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11059-016-0324-2
