Paul Ricoeur: His Life and His Work [Hardcover]

Charles E. Reagan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

One of the major intellectual figures of the twentieth century, Paul Ricoeur has influenced a generation of thinkers. In this, the first philosophically informed biography of Ricoeur, student, colleague, and confidant Charles E. Reagan provides an unusually accessible look at both the philosophy of this extraordinary thinker and the pivotal experiences that influenced his development.

"A valuable introduction to Ricoeur; highly recommended."—Library Journal

"[A] lively introduction to the life and thought of one of this century's most notable philosophers."—Norman Wirzba, Christian Century

"Reagan lucidly explains Ricoeur's difficult philosophy while shining overdue light on the personality behind it."—Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer

"Combines biographical and philosophical essays with a more personal memoir that makes Ricoeur's humane and magnanimous nature abundantly evident. Four revealing interviews, coupled with photographs, and an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources, complete this illuminating study."—Choice

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One of France's most distinguished philosophers, the 83-year-old Ricoeur is the author of such respected books as Fallible Man, The Symbolism of Evil and Time and Narrative, in which he devotes himself to phenomenology, hermeneutics and such basic questions as what we mean when we say, "I will." Reagan's brief book is in four parts: a biographical essay; a memoir of the author's graduate study under Ricoeur in Paris; an essay on his teacher's philosophy that is only for specialists; and interviews with Ricoeur. A philosophy professor at Kansas State University and co-editor of The Philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, Reagan has tried to pack too much into this slim book; the result is that neither Ricoeur's life nor his work come across with real clarity. Reagan reveals that Ricoeur's son Olivier, a homosexual, alcoholic ether-sniffer, killed himself by jumping off a roof, but does little to examine his motivations. Nor does he even mention that the usually mild-mannered Ricoeur sued a French author, Christophe Donner, who dared mention the facts about his son in a recent memoir published in France. Ricoeur is a cagey interview subject?he even apologizes for being "obscure and cryptic" ?so finally the most useful parts of this book may prove to be the highly technical and compressed philosophy material, laden with professional jargon. Despite Ricoeur's coy claim that his life has no interest, an in-depth biography would seem called for, to deal with Ricoeur's years as a prisoner of war from 1940-45; his position as a Protestant and eminent Christian philosopher in a Catholic country; and his brave stands during the French Algerian crisis and the student rebellions of the 1960s.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Reagan, a longtime student and admirer of Ricoeur, begins with an engaging biographical sketch. Ricoeur's life has not been one of dull academic routine. He spent time in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, was a target of student demonstrators at Nanterre in 1968, and lost a son to suicide. Reagan next offers a memoir to his friendship with Ricoeur, making clear his mentor's kindness and high scholarly standards. The book proceeds to a synopsis of Ricoeur's thought, including an especially valuable accounts of Oneself as Another. The final section consists of four interviews of Ricoeur by Reagan. A valuable introduction to Ricoeur; highly recommended.?David Gordon, Bowling Green State Univ. Ohio
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 162 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226706028
• ISBN-13: 978-0226706023
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,789,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ricoeur's Life and Work, May 12, 2005

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David Stewart - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paul Ricoeur: His Life and His Work (Paperback)

The work of Paul Ricoeur, while brilliant, is often difficult to penetrate. Reagan's book helps the newcomer to Ricoeur's writing get through those difficulties to an understanding of the importance of his philosophy. Reagan is uniquely qualified to do this. He was Ricoeur's student and has remained his lifelong friend. Reagan's book offers highly readable summaries of some of Ricoeur's major works complemented with biographical details that put those works into the context of Ricoeur's life. If you are only going to buy one book about Ricoeur, this should be it