Nostalgia for the Absolute

Nostalgia for the Absolute by George Steiner, published by House of Anansi in 1997, is a thought-provoking exploration of the moral and emotional void left by the decline of formal religious systems in Western culture. This 2nd edition, comprising 61 pages, delves into the alternative “mythologies” that have emerged, including Marxism, Freudian psychology, and Lévi-Straussian anthropology, as well as various trends of irrationality.

In this work, Steiner examines the implications of these alternative frameworks on society and individual belief systems. Readers will find a critical analysis of how these ideologies attempt to fill the gaps left by traditional religious narratives. The book engages with themes of social science, popular culture, and ethics, prompting reflection on the evolving landscape of moral philosophy in contemporary life.