He then explores the work of European philosophers, particularly Nietzsche and Hegel, to examine rebellion's relationship with contemporary belief systems, particularly nihilism. Part 2, 'Metaphysical Rebellion,' uses elements of Greek mythology, Roman history and the Bible as context for its examination of the history and spirit of rebellion. The relationship between the spirit/intentions of rebellion and murder is explored, in various contexts, throughout the book, starting in Part 1, 'The Rebel,' where the author provides a brief definition of rebellion, begins a detailed examination of different sorts of rebellion, and explores the relationship between rebellion, history and murder. He relates both the intention and the examination to the question of whether murder, either as sanctioned by governing society or erupting as the result of individual disenchantment, is ever justified. In his introduction, the author professes introduces his intention to examine the origins of humanity's individual and collective impulse towards rebellion. Other contextual elements include a focus on the value of the individual, the effect both moderation and excess have on both the intentions and actions of rebellion, and the relationship between rebellion and art. This detailed philosophical examination of the history, purposes and manifestations of rebellion places its considerations within the context of the question of whether contemporary reality's attitudes towards murder, either institutionalized or individualized, are justified.

The rebel camus