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Robert G.Olson

An Introduction to Existentialism

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&quote;The best book on this subject that I have so far read; it genuinely does what its title implies.&quote; — Philosophical Books&quote;Should be of great help in dispelling some of the mystery that surrounds the subject.&quote; — Review of MetaphysicsAt one time or another almost everyone has reflected upon the major existentialist themes: the sources of despair and suffering, the triumph over adversity, the nature and limits of reason, the encounter of the individual with other humans and with society, authenticity, death, and freedom. This book is for serious readers for whom previous accounts have been either too impressionistic or too limited in scope, and who wish to approach the original texts with perspective and critical understanding. Although this is a first-rate work of scholarship, no previous training in philosophy is required of the reader. The topical treatment introduces not only the existentialist position on each topic but also supporting arguments, historical context, and the line of criticism adopted by contemporary philosophers who oppose the existentialist stand. Readers will also be rewarded with a good knowledge of individual representatives of the movement, particularly Sartre and Heidegger.
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375 printed pages
Publication year
2012
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Quotes

  • b5004089041has quoted2 years ago
    According to James, the whole “intellectual apparatus” of mankind has as its sole purpose the resolution of conflicts between the individual’s instincts or between the individual and his environment. It is simply an instrument by
  • b5004089041has quoted2 years ago
    Thus one may best describe the fundamental project of the human reality in saying that man is the being who projects to be God. . . . And if man possesses a preontological comprehension of the being of God, it is neither the great spectacle of nature nor the power of society which have given it to him. Rather God . . . represents the permanent limits in terms of which man understands his being. To be man is to strive to be God, or, if one prefers, man fundamentally desires to be God.
  • b5004089041has quoted2 years ago
    Although Sartre denies that man has an essence or nature if by this one means that God or Nature has predetermined him to pursue certain goals to the exclusion of others, he does not deny that man has an essence or nature if by this one means that it is possible to discern certain universal and necessary structures within the human condition.

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