Indispensable guide to one of the most influential thought systems of our century. Stressing the work of Heidegger and Sartre, it offers a careful and objective examination of the existentialist position and values — freedom of choice, individual dignity, personal love, creative effort — and answers to the eternal questions of the human condition.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good introduction to existentialism,
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This review is from: An Introduction to Existentialism (Paperback)
i read the 1962 version--and apparently the text was never updated (but it has stayed in print). i found it a useful and clear presentation of the subject. the first twenty pages are worth the purchase, as the author is very good at orienting existentialism within the context of other philosophies. the chapters on anguish and freedom are especially good. some of the text's language is archaic. phrases such as the "common man" and the exclusive use of the male pronoun are used throughout. these are a bit distracting to the contemporary feminist trained ear, and reminds one of the sexist sensibilities of even the best educated individuals in the early 1960s. if one wants a literary-critical (as opposed to a strictly philosophical) reflection on existentialism, i would recommend TO DENY OUR NOTHINGNESS by maurice friedman. also written in the 1960s, friedman's book is a profound critical reflection on existential novels and poetry popular in his day (such as camus' THE PLAGUE and the novels of herman hesse).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book on Existentialism I've found!,
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This review is from: An Introduction to Existentialism (Paperback)
Existentialism along with Pragmatism are the precursers of Post-Modernism. Though this book was written in the early 1960's Robert G. Olson's book gives a fairly complete summary and history of Existentialist philosophy. It compares it to Rationalism, Empiricism and Pragmatism in Epistimology, as well as Realism and Idealism in Metaphysics. Olson also covers many of the Ethical implications of Existentialism. He juxtiposes it to "Modern" Analytic Philosophy. I enjoyed this book immensely because I like comparing rival ideas and Philosophies. If you're interested in that too, or just want to understand the roots of Post-Modernism, or the way some European intelectuals think, then you should find this to be a great book.
17 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Examination of Existentialism,
By A Customer
This review is from: An Introduction to Existentialism (Paperback)
Robert G. Olson does justice to the philosophy of Existentialism in his stellar novel, "An Introduction to Existentialism". By examining each individual aspect of the Existentialist interpretation and also introducing the main arguments against Existentialist points, Olson helps to create a solid base for the novice philosopher. Utilizing the works of Sartre, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Hursserl and Marx, the novel gives in depth analysis and conclusionary support to even the most complex areas of Existentialist thought. This novel makes one question the conformist views of our society while presenting an alternative solution through Existentialism.
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