Merleau-Ponty

by Taylor Carman

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-61) was one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century. His theories of perception and the role of the body have had an enormous impact on the humanities and social sciences, yet the full scope of his contribution not only to phenomenology but philosophy generally is only now being fully recognized. In this lucid and comprehensive introduction, Taylor Carman explains and assesses the full range of Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy.

Beginning with an overview of Merleau-Ponty’s life and work, subsequent chapters cover fundamental aspects of Merleau-Ponty’s thought, including his philosophy of perception and intentionality; the role of the body in perception; freedom and our relation to others; history and culture; and art, particularly the paintings of Cézanne. A final chapter considers Merleau-Ponty’s importance today, examining his philosophy in light of recent developments in philosophy of mind and cognitive science.

This second edition makes use of the new translation of Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception, his most important work, highlighting its critique of "objective thought" and the account of constrained freedom that Merleau-Ponty advanced as a foil to Sartre’s notion of radical choice.

Including annotated further reading and a glossary of key terms, Merleau-Ponty, Second Edition is essential reading for students of phenomenology, existentialism and twentieth-century philosophy. It is also ideal for anyone in the humanities and social sciences seeking an introduction to Merleau-Ponty’s work.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Melika Khoshnezhad · Rating 3 out of 5]

من با مرلوپونتی آشنایی چندانی نداشتم. این‌ور اون‌ور یه چیزایی ازش خونده بودم و می‌دونستم بدن‌مندی براش مهمه و بیشتر درباره‌ی این موضوع نوشته. این کتاب مقدمه‌ای بود برای آشنایی با تقریباً تمام مباحث اصلی فلسفه‌ی مرلوپونتی؛ از نظریاتش درباره‌ی ادراک و بدن‌مندی گرفته تا نظراتش درباره‌ی تاریخ و سیاست و نقاشی‌های سزان. کتاب جامعی بود ولی خوندنش سخت بود، حالا نمی‌دونم این سخت بودن به دلیل سبک نوشتن نویسنده بود یا مشکل ترجمه داشت یا کلاً نظرات مرلوپونتی سختن.

[Mkp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is currently (3/2010) my favorite overview of Merleau-Ponty's work. It is particularly good in connection with his discussion of Merleau-Ponty's notion of "flesh".

[David Markwell]

A solid introduction to the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty. Carmen's del explications are clear and well thought out.

[A. B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enigmatic, organic philosophy. Merleau-ponty is a very interesting thinker. My first foray into phenomenology, must explore further.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The key (and lengthy) chapters are 2 and 3. They have a nice rhythm. But I think space restrictions owing to a painfully long chapter on painting meant that I definitely could not explain M-P's thinking in front of a lecture hall. I have learnt the key to his metaphors are lots of touching and gripping for vision. SO there's that. I'd give it 4.5.