Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, Revised and Expanded Edition

by Walter Kaufmann (Editor)

Paperback, 1975

Status

Available

Call number

142.78

Collections

Your library, Philosophy

Publication

New American Library (1975), Edition: Revised & enlarged, 384 pages

Description

Collects philosophical writings by Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Rilke, Kierkegaard, Kafka, Jaspers, Ortega, Heidegger, Camus, and Sartre, and includes commentary on the philosophers and their work.

User reviews

LibraryThing member drsabs

Professor Kaufmann provides a lively and accessible introduction to this compilation of writings by existentialists. The most rewarding sections of the introduction are on Heidegger and Sartre, but Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Jaspers also get attention and their names come up again in the Heidegger

and Sartre sections. At the end Kaufmann contrasts existentialism and analytic philosophy in the context of the 1960's: existentialism brings philosophy down to earth while analytic philosophy has analytic rigor which unfortunately focuses on trivial issues. Rather than look at each other across a great divide, these approaches should be brought together, something Socrates accomplished in the philosophy of his day.

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LibraryThing member jwhenderson

Walter Kaufmann has gathered here selections from the work of Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Rilke, Kafka, Ortega, Jaspers, Heidegger, Sartre and Camus. All the included texts provide examples and evidence for the existentialist viewpoint. Prefaced by an introductory essay by Kaufmann this

text provides an invaluable overview of the differing approaches to existentialist thought of the selected authors.

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LibraryThing member aitastaes

What is Existentialism? It is perhaps the most misunderstood of modern philosophic positions—misunderstood by reason of its broad popularity and general unfamiliarity with its origins, representatives, and principles.

Existential thinking does not originate with Jean Paul Sartre. It has prior

religious, literary, and philosophic origins. In its narrowest formulation it is a metaphysical doctrine, arguing as it does that any definition of man’s essence must follow, not precede, an estimation of his existence. In Heidegger, it affords a view of Being in its totality; in Kierkegaard an approach to that inwardness indispensable to authentic religious experience; for Dostoevsky, Kafka, and Rilke the existential situation bears the stamp of modern man’s alienation, uprootedness, and absurdity; to Sartre it has vast ethical and political implications.

Walter Kaufmann, author of Nietzsche, is eminently qualified to present and interpret the insights of existentialism as they occur and are deepened by the major thinkers who express them.

In every case complete selections or entire works have been employed: The Wall, Existentialism, and the complete chapter on “Self-Deception” from L’être et le Néant by Sartre; two lectures from Jaspers’ book Reason and Existenz; original translations of On My Philosophy by Jaspers and The Way Back into the Ground of Metaphysics by Heidegger. There is, as well, material from Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Rilke, and Camus

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LibraryThing member scottcholstad

Somewhat "old" now, I still view this as an excellent anthology, most especially the intro by Kaufmann himself. It's rather ironic, because in looking at reader reviews, ratings, comments, etc., now, currently, years later, they seem to reinforce a thesis I got from him, and that the entire

concept, if not the term itself, of existentialism is subjective for more reasons that I have time or space to go into. But there are plenty of people complaining about the authors and selections in this book, which reinforces the point that even the so-called "Existentialists" themselves couldn't agree on who or what comprised a "true" existentialist or existentialism. Which is why it probably will prove to be a twentieth century fad, and not a longterm philosophical school. I made peace with this a long time ago and have patterned much of my life's outlook, behaviors and existence on the principles of several noted existentialist writers/philosophers, and I feel comfortable I can back up my stance, but I feel no need to argue it either, nor defend it, because I think even those in question would question the need or point in even doing so. Who really cares who is an "authentic" existentialist? I know of some who do -- they've got too much damn time on their hands. A good book, a classic. Perfect? No. It's subjective.

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LibraryThing member yoursources

This volume provides basic writings of Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Rilke, Kafka, Ortega, Jaspers, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus, including some not previously translated, along with an invaluable introductory essay by [the editor].

LibraryThing member trilliams

A great overview of existentialist writing from its Russian origins to its French dominance. I only wish Kaufmann had put more of his own thoughts into this book, as he has the widest perspective of anyone in it.

LibraryThing member jonfaith

How unfortunate to have forgotten the curator to that museum of ideas. I once was young. Concepts all too often were inchoate. Kaufmann directed my stumbling progress through these choppy waters.
I had a long hooded green coat then.
I walked around the university brooding -- largely for effect.
My

focus shifted from social justice to existential peril.
I'd like to beat that guy's ass.
What emerged was a lifelong appreciation of Hamlet.
I'm now curious if further biases leaped upon me with my dazzled attentions elsewhere.

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LibraryThing member JRobinW

Loved it. Looking forward to reading again!

LibraryThing member flyfshng

Nice collection…some tougher to digest than others. Definitely need a second read

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