ABSTRACT

This book examines the figure of the public intellectual through the work of Émile Zola in the Dreyfus affair. It analyzes Zola’s famous letter “J’Accuse” supporting Alfred Dreyfus and its philosophical and political consequences for the intellectual world, including Indian public intellectuals. The volume is an examination of the critical role that can be played by public intellectuals today by referring to the “J’Accuse” model and a homage to the ideal of living decently and truthfully through the exercise of critical reason and moral excellence.

Accessible and comprehensive, the book will be essential reading for students of philosophy and critical reasoning. It will be of interest to general readers as well.

chapter |16 pages

Introduction

Reading “J'Accuse” Today

chapter 1|16 pages

The Universal Meaning of “J'Accuse”

chapter 2|16 pages

Dissent and Emancipation

chapter 3|16 pages

Mapping Dissent

Reading Zola in India

chapter 4|16 pages

Reinventing the Intellectual

chapter |8 pages

Conclusion

Mysterious Power of Ideas