Trevor Wilson, author and expert in interwar European intellectual currents, discusses his latest work on Alexandre Kojève. He delves into Kojève’s pivotal role in 20th-century philosophy and the influence of émigré culture. The conversation highlights the complexities of translating philosophical texts, touching upon the intricacies of identity within migration and the challenges posed by Kojève’s illegible handwriting. Wilson also offers a glimpse into his writing routine during the pandemic, emphasizing the supportive roles of community and service workers in academic life.
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insights INSIGHT
Kojève's Influence
Alexandre Kojève, a Russian philosopher, emigrated after the 1917 revolutions.
His Hegel seminars in 1930s France shaped continental philosophy, influencing figures like Simone de Beauvoir and François Fanon.
insights INSIGHT
Specters of Russian Philosophy
Kojève's work is haunted by Russian philosophical ideas, even if not explicitly mentioned.
"Specters" describes this subtle yet persistent influence, shaping his thought.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Name Change and Accent
Kojève changed his name from Kojève to Kojève around 1927 after emigrating to France.
This symbolic act possibly marked a departure from his Russian identity, yet his accent remained.
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Alexander Kojève and the Specters of Russian Philosophy
Alexander Kojève and the Specters of Russian Philosophy
Trevor Wilson
The world of yesterday
Stefan Zweig
Stefan Zweig's "The World of Yesterday" is a poignant memoir reflecting on the author's life in Vienna before and during the rise of Nazism. Zweig's evocative prose paints a vivid picture of a bygone era, capturing the cultural vibrancy and intellectual ferment of pre-war Vienna. The memoir explores themes of memory, loss, and the fragility of civilization. Zweig's personal experiences and observations provide a profound insight into the social and political changes that transformed Europe in the early 20th century. The book is a testament to Zweig's literary skill and his ability to convey profound emotions with grace and sensitivity. It's a moving and insightful reflection on a world lost to history.
Introduction to the reading of Hegel
Alexandre Kojève
In this book, Alexandre Kojève provides a comprehensive and influential interpretation of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. Kojève combines elements of Karl Marx's labor philosophy and Martin Heidegger's concept of Being-Toward-Death to analyze Hegel's work. He centers his interpretation around the master-slave dialectic, arguing that this dialectic is key to understanding Hegel's philosophy. Kojève posits that human history and society begin with the struggle for recognition, where the master risks his life and the slave submits due to fear of death. Through labor, the slave transforms the world and himself, leading to a process of self-creation and historical evolution. Kojève's interpretation also explores the concept of the 'end of history,' where human society reaches a state of universal equality and rationality[2][3][5].
In this episode, Alisa interviews Dr. Trevor Wilson about his new book, Alexandre Kojève and the Specters of Russian Philosophy (Northwestern University Press, 2024). Their conversation delves into the intellectual currents of interwar Europe, placing the enigmatic figure of Alexandre Kojève into this unique cultural landscape. The conversation touches on how key philosophical concepts shift in translation, the influence of émigré culture, and the broader currents of Russian philosophy, including the philosophy of Sophia and Kojève’s vision of the "end of history." Dr. Wilson also reflects on the challenges of translating philosophical texts written in multiple languages (and Kojève’s notoriously illegible Russian handwriting).
Beyond philosophy, the conversation explores writing routines and the often-overlooked infrastructures that make academic work possible.
New Books in Intellectual History 
