Existentialism: An Introduction

by Kevin Aho

An Introduction  has established itself as the most comprehensive and accessible book on the subject available. In this fully revised and expanded second edition, Kevin Aho draws on a wide range of existentialist thinkers from both the secular and religious traditions, adding a wealth of new material on existentialism's relationship with Marxist thought and its impact on feminist phenomenology and critical race theory. 

Chapters center on the key themes of freedom, authenticity, being-in-the-world, alienation, and nihilism. Aho also addresses important but often overlooked issues in the canon of existentialism, including the role of embodiment, existentialism's contribution to ethics, political theory and environmental and comparative philosophies, as well as its influence on the allied health professions. 

By tracking its many and significant influences on modern thought, Kevin Aho shows why existentialism cannot be easily dismissed as a moribund or outdated movement, but instead endures as one of the most important and vibrant areas of contemporary philosophy. Existentialism remains so influential because it forcefully deals with what it means to be human and engages with fundamental questions such as "Who am I?" and "How should I live?" 

An Introduction  is the ideal text for upper-level philosophy students and for anyone interested in the movement's key figures and concepts.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Academic

236 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2014

Reviews

[Paul Ataua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Jonathan Webber's ‘Rethinking Existentialism” narrows everything down to a classical version of the philosophy found in the work of Sartre and De Beauvoir, Aho’s ‘Existentialism’ settles on a wider picture taking in almost anyone who said anything remotely existentialist-like, including several philosophers who certainly rejected that label. Having said that, it was an interesting and very readable study packed with lots of those lovely little quotes we all adore. On the whole, however, I felt that what it gained in width, it lost in depth. Definitely worth a place on your bedside table!

[Ritinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma das vantagens de se saber pouco sobre um assunto é que um livro que faça uma resenha clara q.b. já satisfaz muito. É possível que esta seja uma opinião absurda para os entendidos, mas achei o livro bem estruturado e adequado a elucidar o leitor sobre o existencialismo, principais pensadores e vertentes, desde a sua origem até à actualidade.

[Mbogo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its been a minute since I read up on existentialism. I read this to brush up my knowledge on the subject and center myself. I hold existentialism in very, very high regard. In my humble opinion, strike that, in my exalted opinion it is at the very apex of humanity's quest for knowledge. Until you take the journey of asking why you are here I feel your life will always lack something crucial.

The joy is in the journey. From all the books I have read on the matter, I am yet to find the right answer on why we are here but I have enjoyed the journey immensely. It is okay to say you are here to serve God or take a more altruistic bent and say you are here to serve others and the environment or even an individualistic view is good too. You can be here to travel, live adventure and see the world. All paths are equally valid so long as you are not harming anyone or your environment. Personally I think I am here to watch sitcoms, listen to music and just chill out.

Forgetting my homespun take on existentialism, this book is THE foundational text you can recommend to anyone interested in existentialism. It avoided getting trapped in abstracts and the language is accessible to everyone. I used to recommend Sarah Bakewell's At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails but this one takes first place and if you like it you can then proceed to Bakewell's before you get hopelessly lost in what Sartre was trying to say.

I was already familiar with most things in this book and the new thing to me was how to reconcile ethics with existentialism. It brings a conundrum on what ethics is once you've deemed that what really matters is the individual. There are the attendant dangers of allowing individual delusions to rage on unchecked. Kevin Aho's take on the matter was just splendid. There are other good things here and I encourage you to read the book to find out.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and comprehensive account of existential philosophy, and some of its relations to other ideas, in a short and very readable form. It has the virtue of being largely organised thematically, rather than chronologically or by philosopher, and so both integrates and contrasts the variety of thoughts and thinkers embraced by the term existentialism.

Aho starts with a short historical introduction, and then moves through themes of subjective truth, living in a relational world, self and others, freedom, authenticity, and ethics. He ends with an examination of what existentialism offers to psychotherapy and psychiatry, and how its influence continues to be felt in a range of human interests (Buddhism, Marxism, technology).

Aho's writing is concise and clear, and he quotes generously from a wide range of authors to give a rich tasting menu of their various styles and concerns. It's more academic and less enjoyably anecdotal than Sarah Bakewell's excellent book on existential philosophers (At The Existentialist Cafe), but it provides a sharper analysis of some of the ideas promoted by existential philosophers, and more explication of the differences among them and of the relation to other philosophies and ideas.

[Flávio Alves · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Quem sou eu?" e "Como devo viver?" continuam a ser questões essenciais da nossa existência. E é nestes casos que o existencialismo é essencial. Que livro incrível!

[António Pedro Magalhães Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro fantástico que reúne os principais autores existencialistas e aborda as suas perspectivas em vários temas. A obra é bastante completa no sentido em que não se fica pela explanação geral, aborda mais profundamente temas como a liberdade, natureza, etc..

Leitura obrigatória para qualquer curioso sobre o tema.

[James Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last several decades, on more than one occasion I have tried to wrap my mind around existentialism and other than to conclude that is what seemed to me to be a philosophy of jargon, I've made little headway. Until now. Keven Aho's short but dense introduction has made much that was very very murky almost clear. It is not that he abandons the jargon but rather that he explains it clearly and unambiguously. Moreover, he explains it through the writings of a very broad spectrum of authors who differ widely in their views. In fact, while I didn't count up the pages or words to be sure, I suspect Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Camus get a lot more ink than does Sartre. Certainly Kierkegaard and Nietzsche do. (Beauvoir gets her due in a section on existentialism as applied to historically fringe groups: women, people of color, colonial subjects etc.)

Aho utilizes the differences both to make clear the central tenants of existentialism (even when that term was not accepted by the writer in question) and to make clear how some of the problems that existentialism as a philosophy presents, e.g. in ethics where the criticism is made that in existentialism there is no moral ground, are dealt with. Despite the brevity of the text (only a little over 150 pages) the coverage is broad. Aho starts with a history of the self up to the time of Nietzche, before going through phenomenology and Heidegger's "being-in-the-world." From there, he has chapters on the Self and Others, Freedom, Authenticity, and Ethics before finishing with a couple of chapters on the relevance of existentialism today. The core of this latter discussion is a very well balanced look at the notion of existential therapy in contrast with the medical model that usually used to treat people whose mental sufferings have gone beyond acceptability.

I do not mean by my favorable review here to suggest I agree with all of the existentialist program presented here. But I do mean to suggest that I finally feel like I understand what that program is and where it comes from. Aho has given me much to ponder and after all that's why I as a nonacademic read books on philosophy in the first place. I am very glad to have read his book

[Alex Olteanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very detailed introduction to existentialism, perhaps the most technical introductory book you can find on the topic.

I think Aho did a fairly good job at explaining most of the ideas — after all, some ideas are so intricate and fuzzy that it'd be just as difficult to understand them by reading the original authors.

I also think the last chapter needs to be rewritten. There are some good points there, especially about health and illness, but I think Aho should have paid more attention to framing the discussion in a less anti-scientific way — right now, some claims may seem very far-fetched, or, better said, plain stupid, which I think it doesn't reflect reality.

To those interested in reading this book but not used to the philosophical jargon, it's worth mentioning that Aho doesn't shy away from basic philosophical lingo. I think it's manageable though, the book should be given a try anyway!

[Hamza Riazuddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written. Some introductory books I’ve read can get slightly dull or do not manage to give you enough insights from the great thinkers. This book however, although only 170 pages long, is brilliantly written. It not only touches the key areas of existentialism but dives slightly deeper into the areas not always covered such as highlighting people outside of philosophy in literature art and music who saw the world in a similar light. Thanks Kevin

[Ruri Gokou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good introduction. I found the books overall very informative. I wasn't all that interested in the chapters about Psychiatry and Existentialism today, though. I think it's mostly because I was more interested in reading about the prominent thinkers in Existentialism and their ideas.

[Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5. Still think that Bakewell's At the Existentialist Cafe is a better introduction to Existentialism as a whole. I guess At the Existentialist Cafe is more of a narrative film and this is a documentary.

[pedro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pitty the poorly made translation. The bibliography was poorly transcribed and made.
Also the author failed to give more insight on the subject of feminism and race which o was particularly interested in.
It has a few good pointers on books, authors and a few movies.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
A great introduction that breaks it down effectively.

[Dante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well organized and succinct in telling the origins of existentialism. Nothing much to add as it was outside my usual genre of reading but otherwise I did learn a lot from it.

[Luke Lindon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and approachable read on an often confusing philosophy. MORE PEOPLE NEED THIS IN THEIR LIVES. Great for folks who are seeking and approach to this issue: You exist. Now what?

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't remember much of it. But vaguely remember it not being philosophically deep or rich but still a good intro. Probably go read his SEP page first.

[Brydar r]

Great introduction to a vast and perplexing movement. This is my second read, will likely always have this book on my shelf for refresh.

[Jesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this style of talking about philosophers

[Gonçalo Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma excelente introdução ao Existencialismo, fundamental para conhecer mais sobre a corrente filosófica.

[Moussaid Abdelghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Existentialism : An Introduction by Kevin Aho answered these questions and more :

- What historical factors shaped existentialist views?
- What do they have in common?
- What matters did they disagree on?
- Is existentialism still relevant?

It is concise and well-organized by topic. A good primer on the subject.

[Andriy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book introduces a wealth of ideas. It raises good questions. To tell you the truth i don't claim complete understanding of presented points, but i got quite a bit of inspiration to dig deeper.

[Anand Gopal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction to various existentialist thinkers: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Merleau-Ponty. Mostly useful for orienting yourself, not for deep study.