Understand Existentialism

by Mel R. Thompson, Nigel Rodgers

Is this the right book for me?

Understand Existentialism breaks down a complex mode of thought into more manageable sections, enabling you to get to grips with the key concepts within the movement. Chart the origins and development of existentialism in a variety of disciplines and learn about significant thinkers from Sartre and De Beauvoir to Beckett and Camus. Whether you are a newcomer or more experienced student, this book will enhance your understanding of a brand of philosophy designed to give meaning and direction amongst the uncertainties of modern life.


Understand Existentialism includes:

Chapter 1: Introduction to existentialism
Chapter 2: Living dangerously: the roots of existentialism
Chapter 3: Between birth and death
Chapter 4: Existence precedes essence
Chapter 5: The authentic life
Chapter 6: Freedom, choice and responsibility
Chapter 7: The individual, art and society
Chapter 8: Existentialism and religion
Chapter 9: Authenticity and the absurd: the fiction of Sartre and Camus


Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features:

Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.

Test yourself
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.

Five things to remember
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

Try this
Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2010

Reviews

[Jeneva Izorion · Rating 4 out of 5]

ตามมาจากชุด Shortcut ปรัชญาความหมายชีวิต 3 EP เป็นอันที่ชอบที่สุด ในคลิปนั้นค่อนข้างพูดใจความเล่มนี้ครบถ้วนทีเดียวแหละ เล่มนี้ก็พยายามขยายใจความหลักออกมา โดยพยายามไปดูว่า Existentialism มันมีที่มาจากอะไร มันแตกต่างจากแนวคิดก่อนหน้ายังไง และมันมีอิทธืพลกับเรื่องอื่น ๆ มั้ย สุดท้ายแนวคิดนี้มันซาลงเพราะอะไร เล่มนี้ก็แวะ ๆ ไปพูดถึงนักปรัชญาที่อาจจะไม่ได้ถูกพูดถึงบ่อยบ้าง เช่น ซีโมน เดอ โบวัวร์หรือ ซอเรน เคียร์เคอร์การ์ด

ชอบสไตล์การวางเนื้อหาของเล่มนี้ คือต้นบทบอกไว้ก่อนว่าจะได้รู้เกี่ยวกับอะไร มีสรุปแทรกอยู่ตลอด ๆ จบบทก็มีสรุปรวมอีกทีนึง คิดว่าทำให้อ่านได้ง่ายขึ้น อย่างน้อยก็คิดว่าง่ายกว่าเล่มปกติที่เคยอ่านพอควร

ใจความหลัก ๆ ก็คือแนวคิด Existentialism ได้อิทธิพลมาจากทั้งนักปรัชญาสมัยก่อนและสภาพสังคมหลัง WW2 ตอนนั้นที่ไม่มั่นคง คนเลยพยายามหาความหมายจากภายในตนมากขึ้น เหมือนเป็นปรัชญาสามัญประจำบ้านมากกว่าสมัยก่อน ๆ ที่เน้นพูดแบบ objective อันนี้จะ subjective และนักปรัชญาส่วนใหญ่ในนี้ก็ทำงานเป็นนักเขียน

แต่ละคนจะต้องพยายามหาความหมายส่วนตัว เป็นสิ่งที่อยู่เพื่อตนเอง (for-itself) ไม่ใช่ในตนเอง (in-itself) ใช้อิสรภาพที่ตนมีเลือกทำสิ่งต่าง ๆ และรับผิดชอบต่อผลที่ตามมา เลือกทำสิ่งต่าง ๆ เพื่อให้ได้เป็นคนที่ดีขึ้น ทำเช่นนี้แล้ว "ความหมายของชีวิต" จึงเกิดขึ้น (หรือถ้าตามโควทคลาสสิกคือ การดำรงอยู่มาก่อนสารัตถะ) ถ้าเราอยู่เพื่อคนอื่น (for-other) เราก็อาจถูกจำกัด ตัวตนที่เราเป็นอาจถูกบิดเบือนให้ดูโอเคในสายตาคนอื่น ๆ (โควทคลาสสิก "นรกคือคนอื่น")

ในเล่มอาจจะมีอะไรมากกว่านี้อีกหน่อยนึง อาจจะจับไอเดียมาไม่หมด ก็ลองไปหาอ่านดูได้

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is laid out in about 10 chapters which cover an introduction to the topic, the key ideas behind it and finally ending with the key players involved in existentialism. There are loads of references to the literature and art involved in the movement along with plenty of quotes. There is a little repetition along the way but it feels like its important rather than needless.

I really enjoyed reading this book despite the rather heavy subject matter, its pretty easy to read. Occasionally with difficult subjects I feel as though I am being left behind a bit but I never really experienced that emotion reading this book. I can't claim that I understood and absorbed everything but I do feel as though I have a much better grasp of existentialism than I had before. Another thing which I really liked is that no previous knowledge of philosophy is assumed and famous quotes are broken down and explored.

I now look forward to reading some Satre and Camus for the first time as I know more about the subjects covered in their books. I also feel that I now have an even better appreciation of Crime & Punishment by Dostoyevsky.

If you are someone who would like a better understand of existentialism then I heartily recommend this book.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a guide to the fundamentals of existentialist thought— the common threads as well as the contradictions— through summaries of the writings of its founders and most recent exemplars, this volume is excellent. Moreover it suggests, quite deliberately one assumes, that the challenges faced by men and women in the early decades of this century (though somewhat different in kind from those of the middle decades of the last), are every bit as desperate for truth, individual freedom and responsibility championed by existentialists as the specter of would- be totalitarians fueled by truth obscuring technology, again threatens us all. See also Bakewell, “At the Existentialist Cafe: Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails”.

[Nattapon Chotsisuparat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understand Existentialism: Teach Yourself by Mel Thompson and Nigel Rodgers. This book is really dense, full of keywords and concepts in philosophy. I like Existentialism and I have read Albert Camus' work. Many people still don't know what Existentialism really means but after reading this book, I think you will understand. I also believe that Existentialism is compatible with our knowledge in science. The Big Bang happened by chance and life has no inherent meaning you have to find it. Struggling might be a more appropriate term.

[Bruce Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primer on existentialism: it's emergence in post-war Paris, ideas, major thinkers, and methods. Nice approach to the subject.

[Ben Pearman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tedious overview of an otherwise interesting subject.

[Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

ทำให้ผมเข้าใจได้ง่ายๆเลย

[George Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bad faith" in French is mauvaise foi, not mauvaise foie! Foie means "liver" in French (and is a masculine noun to boot)! Mauvais foie means "bad liver", not bad faith! Could the authors please get it right in the next edition!

[Joe Sabet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of it was well-written and interesting. At one part the author kept saying "in other words" too often, and this to me was a sign that he was not being effective. But most of the material sunk in eventually. I was inspired to read more after this book, which is great.

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before this, I had just studied philosophy and was very interested, but I had only a superficial knowledge. I was interested in existentialism because it seemed to suit me well, so I was hooked on reading this book. And that was the beginning of the suffer.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe one of the characteristics of an existentialist is the denial that he or she is an existentialist. They drive me crazy. At one point they decry the absurdity of life. At another point they celebrate being. Some are atheists; some are believers. Their take on the meaning of life, however, is a fascinating study.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thompson's 'Understand Existentialism ' accomplishes it's goal... giving the reader a grounding on the school, it's roots and it's influences.

How much it will interest you will vary: philosophers debating word structure are far less interesting than when discussing big ideas, or living through grand events.

Definitely a good introductory read on the subject, just not the most enthralling.