This monograph takes a closer look at the work of Cioran in order to establish a new and revised definition of antihumanism. It has three objectives. Firstly, it establishes a new concept of antihumanism separate from that proposed by Michel Foucault. Secondly, it analyzes the mirroring of Cioran’s philosophical theory against 20th century authors such as Osamu Dazai, Thomas Bernhard, and Michel Houellebecq. Finally, Cioran’s ideas are compared to modern and contemporary Romanian poets such as Bacovia, Baconsky, Caraion, and Vlad. This text appeals to students and researchers working in and across philosophy, literature, poetry, psychology and pop culture.

Ştefan Bolea is currently working as a research fellow within the Faculty of Letters at the University of Cluj-Napoca and as an Editor-in-Chief at the cultural e-zine EgoPHobia. He has obtained 2 PhDs (in Philosophy and Comparative Literature) and was a PhD student in Oslo, Munich, Paris and Vienna. He also has two BA’s in Philosophy and European Studies and one MA in American Studies. He is the recipient of 21 national and international literary awards and distinctions. Selections from his texts were translated into English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Ukrainian. He has published 12 books (of poetry, essays, and prose) in Romanian. He is the author of Internal Conflict in 19th Century Literature: Reading the Jungian Shadow (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).