The Artificial Self

"In this pioneering study Hippolyte Taine (1828-93) emerges as the very model of the European intellectual in the second half of the nineteenth century. The author draws on unpublished manuscripts and letters to reveal a self-disguised, tentative and ironic mentality very like the one Taine described in his psychological writings. These qualities are reflected not only in his own ludic response to his times, but in that of many fellow Second Empire intellectuals. Hilary Nias discusses Darwinian evolution, new scientific discoveries, 'la Critique' and Impressionism, which all made a profound impact on Taine's thinking and on his contribution to the moral revival and Nationalism of the Third Republic."--BOOK JACKET.