This work develops the ethical attitude of courageous vulnerability through the integration of the phenomenon of involuntary memory in Marcel Proust's work and a variety of closely related themes taken from the philosophies of Henri Bergson, William James, and Gabriel Marcel.

Introduction Chapter One: Privileged Moments and Felt Knowledge Introduction Involuntary Memory: An Unusual Pleasure Caused by an Identity of Sensations Privileged Moments of the Imagination Pleasurable Certainty and Wonder Couvercles, Obligation, and Obstacles to the Search La réalité pressentie: Joy and Sorrow in the Privileged Moment Felt Knowledge Epistemic Responsibility Conclusion Chapter Two: Courageous Vulnerability and the Bergsonian Artist Introduction Bergson: Intuition and Intellect The Task of the Artist The Problem of Language and the Freshness of Experience Courageous Vulnerability: Preliminary Remarks Courageous Vulnerability at Work Conclusion Chapter Three: Vagueness and Mystery Introduction Bergson on James, James on Bergson Vagueness and/in Language Pragmatic Meaning and Truth The Sentiment of Rationality and Anhedonia Anhedonia and the Broken World of À la recherche Marcel’s Distinction between Problem and Mystery Primary and Secondary Reflection, Despair and Hope Conclusion Chapter Four: Crystallization and the Tragedy of Having (a Lover) Introduction Stendhal’s Crystallization Albertine a Stone round Which Snow Has Gathered Love Regained in Absence Love and the Role of Habit Love as a Poetical Action: Albertine an Unconscious Thing of Beauty Love as the Desire to Possess Th e Tragedy of Having Th e Tragedy of Desire Presence Made Impossible by l’avoir-implication Conclusion Chapter Five: The Will to Believe in Privileged Moments Introduction Religion, Mysticism, and the Privileged Moment Anhedonia Dispelled by Uneven Paving Stones Mystical Moments in À la recherche Th e Place of the Privileged Moment on James’ Mystical Ladder Invitation to a Strenuous Pursuit of Involuntary Memory Zest and the Mystic Sense of Hidden Meaning The Will to Believe in Privileged Moments Conclusion Chapter Six: The Difficulty of Being Courageously Vulnerable Introduction Fidelity and Death in À la recherché Th e Will to Believe in Presence Sincups and Effigies: A Critique of Creative Fidelity Conclusion: The Difficulty of Being Courageously Vulnerable Epilogue Bibliography Index