(RE)NEGOCIATIONS DES FRONTIERES: PENSEE DU MONDE ET DISCOURS SUR LA MODERNITE CHEZ JEAN D'ORMESSON

Abstract

Situated at the crossroads of two dominant discourses, literature and philosophy, the writings of Jean d'Ormesson appear to be constantly negotiating a space for a new way of thinking. He doesn't propose any conceptual models but sees philosophy as an egotistical interpretation deeply rooted in one's life experiences, values, desires, and projects. Thus, philosophical thinking should stray away from subjective speculation to include all the aspects that are usually discarded such as affectivity, morality, and artistic creativity. By breaking away from immanentism, nihilism and relativism, philosophy should be able to contemplate the status of the self in the composition of its discourse. The similarities that can be drawn between d'Ormesson's way of "thinking the world" and the Integralism of Jean Granier are apparent. Both philosophies mull over the role of values in shaping human lives and their aspiration to fulfill their ultimate "human destination". Self-valorization is therefore what determines man's quest for meaning inside the world and beyond. A philosophical anthropology concludes that a "transvaluation" is necessary to avert modern materialist values while preventing post-materialist values from slipping into pure selfishness. Currently considered as the most important writer in France, d'Ormesson offers in his novels an illustration of what can be described as "probable thinking". Through the analysis of existential clues and transcendent evidence, the author constructs a line of argument capable of tying Human Life to a "supreme destination" guaranteeing a meaningful outcome