E. M. Cioran and the Self-Image of the Modern Philosopher in the Broken Mirror

The illusion of the author's intentionality “in the carpet,” according to Henry James’ allegory, is lethal for hermeneutics. Are there cases of authors whose image is discretely hidden in the texture of their work, even when it is philosophical? Critics tried a biographical quest in Cioran's case, in order to explain anti-humanism which was primarily explained due to his modern misanthropy. The representation of the lacunar self in his fragments, between the pride of unitary Creation and existential impasse, is the most visible method of his imagological game. In this article we will investigate the validity of such research starting with the nature of his Notebooks. The provocation is that of detecting his reflection in the carpet.