The Discovery of Being: Writings in Existential Psychology [Paperback]

Rollo May (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1994

Rollo May draws on the insights of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Freud, and other great thinkers to offer a helpful roadmap of the ideas and techniques of existential psychotherapy.

He pays particular attention to the causes of loneliness and isolation, and to our search for stability in an age of anxiety.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Clear, accurate, and interesting. There is no better short introduction to the existential approach to psychology.” (Dallas Morning News )

“A brisk, clear, popular introduction to existential psychology/psychotherapy. . . [Rollo May] makes a good case for it as a pragmatically broad and flexible method. . . . A solid, stimulating presentation.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“With his vision of what man can be, Rollo May is the man of tomorrow. . . . For many years he has been one of psychology's persistent pioneers.” (Psychology Today )

About the Author

Rollo May (1909-1994) was an influential existential psychologist and the author of Love and Will, The Courage to Create, and The Discovery of Being.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (December 17, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393312402
• ISBN-13: 978-0393312409
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rollo May (1909-1994) was an influential existential psychologist and the author of Love and Will, The Courage to Create, and The Discovery of Being.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to existential psychology, July 12, 1998

By 

dr. (Dr. Stephen Diamond, author of ANGER, MADNESS, AND THE DAIMONIC from Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Discovery of Being: Writings in Existential Psychology (Paperback)

This is the most succinct and authoritative introduction to existential psychology and psychotherapy currently available. It contains a variety of May's pithy and penetrating essays on the subject, including his introductory chapter to the classic collection EXISTENCE (1958) that first conveyed the tenets of European existential analysis across the Atlantic to America. When I teach courses on existential psychotherapy, this is one of the titles I like to include as required reading.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the Realm of Existentialism, April 8, 2005

By 

Katharena M. Eiermann "Existential Diva -- Pr... (1,000 miles from Nowhere...) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Discovery of Being: Writings in Existential Psychology (Paperback)

Think: Loneliness and Isolation

"...the whole existential approach is rooted in the always curious phenomenon that we have in man a being who not only can but must, if he is to realize himself, question his own being."

The Discovery of Being -- Writings in Existential Psychology -- by Rollo May is a superior introduction to Existential Psychology. If one is concerned with the causes of loneliness and isolation, in the human being -- which is also a major theme of the Existentialist school of thought -- this book is an excellent place to start. The Discovery of Being is a brisk, unclouded read. Stimulating would be an understatement, to say the least.

For those interested in how Existential Psychology applies to Existentialism and Phenomenology, there is a section dealing with Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Freud...as background material. Other interest peaking sections that I enjoyed: How Existentialism and Psychoanalysis Arose out of the Same Cultural Situation, To Be and Not to Be, Anxiety and Guilt as Ontological, Being in the World, and The Three Modes of World. That should be enough to whet one's appetite. --Katharena Eiermann, 2005, the Realm of Existentialism -- Presidential Hopeful

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Existential Psychology Introduction, November 17, 2007

By 

Colin M. Burchfield, Ph.D. "Colin M. Burchfie... (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Discovery of Being: Writings in Existential Psychology (Paperback)

Rollo May provides in this book a good introduction to existential psychotherapy. He clearly introduces the central concepts of existentialism and provides wonderful insight into human beings from that perspective. What makes this book especially appealing is the fact that May writes in an incredibly readable manner about sometimes quite obtuse information. I recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about existentialism, existential psychology, and, in particular, existential psychotherapy.