French philosopher duped by fake writer

French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy has admitted that he accidentally quoted from the work of an imaginary writer.

In his recent book De la guerre en philosophie (Making War In Philosophy), Levy referenced the fictional Immanuel Kant expert Jean-Baptiste Botul created by journalist Frederic Page, AFP reports.

The New Philosophers leader admitted on Monday that he had quoted Botul's The Sex Life Of Immanuel Kant in his work and also during public appearances.

"As it turns out, it was a hoax," he told La Regle du Jeu. "It was a truly brilliant and very believable hoax from the mind of a Canard Enchaine journalist, who remains a good philosopher all the same."

He added: "So I was caught, as were the critics who reviewed the book when it came out. The only thing left to say, with no hard feelings, is kudos to the artist!"