Product Description

Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist Philosophy, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett discusses the views of 19th and 20th century existentialists Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre and interprets the impact of their thinking on literature, art, and philosophy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16762 in Books
• Published on: 1962-07-20
• Released on: 1962-07-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From the Publisher
Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist Philosophy, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett discusses the views of 19th and 20th century existentialists Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre and interprets the impact of their thinking on literature, art, and philosophy.

Inside Flap Copy
Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist Philosophy, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett discusses the views of 19th and 20th century existentialists Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre and interprets the impact of their thinking on literature, art, and philosophy.

Customer Reviews

thumbs way up
A great introduction to existentialism. Easy to read. I read and re-read various sections for pleasure.

Wow
What a great book to bring someone into exelstentialism. While Barrett has a slight bias towards Kierkegard and Nietzsche he makes great connections between romanticism and the precursors to modernity. Great quick read that has some great insights.

Indispensible!
"Irrational Man" is a classic work that is as important now as it was 40 years ago. I first read this in high school in the 60s and found it captivating. The experience must have fermented because about ten years later I went back to school to study philosophy through grad school. A second reading was even better than the first. Barrett does an outstanding job of putting the whole project of Western philosophy in perspective. This book is entirely accessible to someone without formal training in philosophy, and the experience of reading it will be richly rewarded.