Existentialism

A Guide for the Perplexed
Erscheinungsjahr 2006
ISBN: 978-0-8264-8529-8
Verlag: Bloomsbury 3PL

Buch, Englisch, 208 Seiten, Format (B × H): 145 mm x 222 mm, Gewicht: 382 g

Reihe: Guides for the Perplexed

Provides a clear introduction to the difficult topic of existentialism and offers suggestions for its relevance today

- Covers key thinkers, writers and concepts from the philosophical and literary traditions
- Existentialism is an attractive topic for students - covering key questions on self, existence and experience - but is often daunting, particularly to non-philosophy specialists

Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to fathom, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material.

Existentialism is often studied by students with little or no background in philosophy; either as an introduction to the idea of studying philosophy or as part of a literary course. Although it is often an attractive topic for students interested in thinking about questions of 'self' or 'being', it also requires them to study difficult thinkers and texts. This Guide begins with the question of 'What is Existentialism?' and then moves on to provide a brief analysis of the key thinkers, writers and texts - both philosophical and literary - central to existentialism. Chapters focus particularly on Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre and Camus but also discuss other philosophers and writers such as Nietzsche, Dostoevsky and Kafka. The second section of the Guide introduces key topics associated with existentialist thought; Self, Consciousness, the question of God and Commitment. Each chapter explains the concepts and debates and provides guidance on reading and analysing the philosophical and literary texts addressed, focusing throughout on clarifying the areas students find most difficult.

Zielgruppe

Introductory Undergraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Earnshaw, Steven

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Existenzphilosophie, Lebensphilosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Westliche Philosophie: 20./21. Jahrhundert

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction: What is Existentialism?
Part I: Thinkers
2. Kierkegaard
3. Nietzsche
4. Heidegger
5. Sartre
6. Camus
Part II: Themes
7. Introduction
8. Being and Self
9. Phenomenology and Consciousness
10. God and Nothingness
11. Freedom, Ethics and Commitment
12. And now.?
Further Reading
Bibliography
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Steven Earnshaw is a Principal Lecturer and Head of English Studies at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.