Book description
Philosophy for busy people. Read a succinct account of the philosophy
of Heidegger in just one hour.
One of the two major philosophical traditions of the twentieth century
was linguistic analysis, derived largely from Wittgenstein. The other,
diametrically opposed, came from Heidegger, and its fundamental question
was: 'What is the meaning of existence?' For Heidegger, this was not a
query that could simply be 'analysed away' - it was beyond the reach of
logic or reason. This was the primary 'given' of every individual life.
To confront it, Heidegger needed to develop an entirely new form of philosophy.
Here is a concise, expert account of Heidegger's life and philosophical
ideas that is entertainingly written and easy to understand. Also
included are selections from Heidegger's work, suggested further reading
and chronologies that place Heidegger in the context of the broader
scheme of philosophy. 'Well-written, clear and informed, they have a
breezy wit about them . . .I find them hard to stop reading.' New York Times
'Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise' Wall Street Journal
'Each of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of
time, place, and character . . . I cannot think of a better way to
introduce oneself and one's friends to Western civilization.' Boston Globe
'A godsend in this era of the short attention span.' New York Times
Paul Strathern has lectured in philosophy and mathematics and now lives
and writes in London. A Somerset Maugham prize winner, he is also the
author of books on history and travel as well as five novels. His
articles have appeared in a great many publications including the
Observer (London) and the Irish Times. His own degree in philosophy was
earned at Trinity College, Dublin.
