The Loss of Self and the Call of the Inhuman: A Philosophical Essay on The Wendigo
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The essay examines Algernon Blackwood's *The Wendigo* as a philosophical exploration of the limits of contemporary frameworks for understanding human encounters with the inhuman. It contrasts the traditional notions of the sublime and emerging psychological explanations, demonstrating how both assume the stability of the human subject as the ultimate reference point. The narrative reveals a form of experience that defies these assumptions by illustrating a reorientation of identity beyond human categories, exposing a fundamental conceptual gap. This work underscores the persistent philosophical challenge of conceptualizing encounters with the inhuman that cannot be fully integrated into existing paradigms.
Author: Shilansky, Daniel
Language: English
Subfield: Cultural Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7138229362
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