Existentialism: From Dostoevsky to Sartre

Rating:
Summary: A Good Genral Introduction
Review: "Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre" is in my opinion an excellent introduction to the thoughts and works of the Existentialists. It contains excerpts from the 19th Century Germans, as well as the 20th Century French, and a handful of others as well. I was glad to see literary works included, especially the Introduction to Dostoevsky's "Notes From the Underground," which I consider to be one of the greatest novellas ever written (read the whole thing, the second part is much different from the first, but is no less enjoyable) and Sartre's short story "The Wall." I was also glad to see Camus' "The Myth of Sissyphus" included, and as the last piece especially. It is, of course, absolutely pertinent for anyone interested in the subject matter to consult each of the writers included in this anthology more in depth. However, this work serves as an excellent introduction

Rating:
Summary: A Good Genral Introduction
Review: "Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre" is in my opinion an excellent introduction to the thoughts and works of the Existentialists. It contains excerpts from the 19th Century Germans, as well as the 20th Century French, and a handful of others as well. I was glad to see literary works included, especially the Introduction to Dostoevsky's "Notes From the Underground," which I consider to be one of the greatest novellas ever written (read the whole thing, the second part is much different from the first, but is no less enjoyable) and Sartre's short story "The Wall." I was also glad to see Camus' "The Myth of Sissyphus" included, and as the last piece especially. It is, of course, absolutely pertinent for anyone interested in the subject matter to consult each of the writers included in this anthology more in depth. However, this work serves as an excellent introduction

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic introduction to existentialism...
Review: ... from an under-rated and original thinker in his own right.

Along with William Barrett's 'Irrational Man,' this is the best introduction one can find to that much-maligned, much-misunderstood yet ever-popular chimera of 20th C. philosophy: existentialism.

Kaufmann is as objective as one can be, when offering a critique of thinkers and thoughts. HE IS ALSO VERY LUCID. HE WRITES CLEARLY. This is a qualaty you will not find often when perusing most high-minded 20th C. texts. He doesn't talk down to his audience and presumes a level of cultural literacy, but he steadfastly refuses to fall prey to that most insidious and seductive of academic flaws: jargon juggling.

He capably traces the roots of existentialism in various literary works and shows how the sensibilities expressed in exstlsm. are repeatedly expressed throughout western culture.

People are divided on both the subject and the book, but that is natural: par example... Students of hermenuetics and disciples of heidegger feel that Kaufmann is biased against ole Martin, or that he spends too little time on him. And devotees of Sartre feel likewise. Many think he's too kind to Nietzsche. I disagree with all of the above. I think he treats each thinker succinctly and fairly, rooting them in their context and then looking at what they had to say.

Existentialism. This is a word one hears often. It is Misused every day by pretentious half-wits of all variety. Here, in one clear volume, you have a fine key for the door. A great starting place.

PS Kaufmann's book on philosophy and tragedy is the finest I have ever read. Used ones abound for under 8 dollars in here.

Rating:
Summary: A nice book....
Review: ...if you're looking for some excerpts from some of the greatest works in Existentialism from the last century. However, I would recommend picking up the entire books he takes out of, and perhaps picking up a few modern existential classics like Palahunik's 'Fight Club' and Szymczyk's 'Toilet: The Novel' to get a more 'modern' or 'post-modern' feel of what Existentialism is about.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Has No Index
Review: I had to read portions of this book for a college course that was expected to cover the topic: literature and modern thought. This made it easy for me to pick Walter Kaufmann as a professor and editor who would be widely recognized as being a leader in this field. In turn, it may have been his feeling, at some point, that I was less philosophical than he was. If that was a game, like chess, I might easily concede, and stop playing a game which depended on such mastery of obscure possibilities. When I was in high school, I had to read Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, who is also represented in this volume. More than I am interested in philosophy, I would like to understand Dostoevsky's comment on page 76 of this book: "Gentlemen, I am joking, and I know myself that my jokes are not brilliant, but you know one can't take everything as a joke. I am, perhaps, jesting against the grain." I had expected philosophy to be an attempted rationalization of existence, as my previous training in religious thought had emphasized acceptance of whatever is expected to be accepted above all else.

I would expect this book to appeal mainly to those who have an interest in philosophy. The class that I was in didn't attempt to read or discuss those selections which the professor considered too difficult (we were not a group that was expected to argue, just understand), but this book seemed to be pointing us in a reasonable direction when we left it and took a better look at the philosophy of Camus, contained in a book which concluded with the chapter which also concludes this volume, "The Myth of Sisyphus." The final sentence there, "One must imagine Sisyphus happy," (p. 315) suggested that perhaps Sisyphus had discovered the best joke for describing what this field is all about. My vote would be for the idea on page 312, "To begin with, he is accused of a certain levity in regard to the gods. He stole their secrets."

Rating:
Summary: Kaufmann and Existentialism
Review: I read this book for an Existentialism graduate course. It is extremely entertaining (from a literary frame) and does an incredible job displaying the diverse appearances of existentialism from a wide source of writers. It's not too heavy for non-philosophy types and still does each author in it justice.

Rating:
Summary: enjoyable excursion
Review: I really liked this superb collection of some of the finest existential writings, especially because Kaufmann focuses on those excerpts which highlight traditionally misunderstood concepts. Well worth having.

Rating:
Summary: A thought- provoking anthology
Review: Literature, Philosophy and Religion all have their parts in this anthology compiled by Walter Kaufmann. Kaufman was of course more expert on certain matters ( Neitzsche ) than on others(Kierkegaard) but he here provides a variety of texts that enable the reader to know and think for himself about the major ' existensial writers and thinkers'.

Rating:
Summary: re-writing history
Review: Looking for a textbook? A scholarly exegesis of Being and Nothingness? The final answers to all of life's questions? Then you've come to the wrong place. Looking for a thought-provoking anthology of existentialist (and quasi-existentialist) authors, which flows effortlessly from one section to the next, and brings a smile (or a furrowed brow) to all who read it? Then I can think of no better book.

The selections in this book were chosen for their readability, not their weight, so academic philosophers may find this book lacking. But were it not for books like this, which enchant the layman and force him (or her) to examine primary sources, would there be any philosophy majors?

From Camus' notion of a sustaining inward rebellion, to Sartre's brilliant reevaluation of ethics (prose in "Self-deception", poetry in "The Wall"), to the great battle over Christianity between Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, there is certainly something of vital importance to most people contained in these pages. As an individual's right is sovereign, I will not urge you to like this book, or even to read it - this, like all things, you must decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: hell's yes
Review: what is up with that daft cunny from Saskatoon? (see below) Spilt hairs much? This is so great, check it out. It will califry your impersions of things and stuff.