Customer Reviews

The Bonds of Freedom: Simone de Beauvoir's Existentialist Ethics

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a very clear, compact, and thorough analysis of de Beauvoir's often-neglected contribution to existentialist thought and to ethics. Although the primary audience appears to be academic, the writing is accessible to the non-specialist. The organization of the book istransparent throughout, and it does not assume close familiarity with de Beauvoir's life and writings. For those, like me, interested in feminist thought, ethics, existentialism, and the legacy of de Beauvoir's thought, this is a reader-friendly guide to one of her most importantand least understood contributions, still very relevant today. The author does a commendable and quite untechnical job of discussing the sources of de Beauvoir's thought, and the uniqueness of her contribution. This is by no means an uncritical analysis, but engagingly appreciative of de Beauvoir's accomplishments. Among the many books about de Beauvoir's philosophy, this stands out as a brief, clear, well-documented analysis which cites original sources in a manner helpful to the reader, whatever one's familiarity with those sources. This is a carefully argued and well-constructed book, which rewards the reader with broad insights as well as detailed examination. The contemporary relevance of the issues are never far from de Beauvoir's mind, nor from the author's. Kristana Arp's book is insightful, accessible, and deserves a wide reading.