Description

By (author) Gardner Sebastian

Short /annotation:
Tackles one of Sartre”s challenging works “Being and Nothingness”. This book gives a unified view of the (seemingly disparate) topics discussed in “Being and Nothingness” by taking them as answers to the problem of human freedom. It also shows how Sartre”s work can be placed in a tradition of philosophical reflection deriving from Kant.

:
Jean-Paul Sartre”s Being and Nothingness marked the beginning of the rise of French existentialism in the twentieth century. In this work Sartre offers a complex and profound defence of human freedom. The topics discussed by Sartre range from traditional problems of metaphysics and epistemology to the roots of human motivation and the nature of human relationships. It is a hugely important text in a long and distinguished tradition of philosophical reflection going back to Kant. Sartre”s ”Being and Nothingness”: A Reader”s Guide is an invaluable companion to study of this influential philosophical text, offering guidance on: Philosophical and historical context Key themes Reading the text Reception and influenceFurther reading.

Table of contents:
1. Context; 2. Overview of themes; 3. Reading the text; 4. Reception and Influence; Bibliography & Notes for Further Reading; Index.

Review quote:
“Sebastian Gardner”s Reader”s Guide to Sartre”s Being and Nothingness is precisely what it claims to be: an informed, trustworthy, and well-written “guide” for the study of Sartre”s difficult masterpiece. But it is also a sophisticated philosophical analysis of Sartre”s intentions, successes, and failures … This is a book that deserves a place of prominence in the library of every first-time reader of Being and Nothingness and of every scholar with a serious interest in Sartre”s philosophy.” – Professor Dan Breazeale. University of Kentucky, USA

Biographical note:
Sebastian Gardner is Professor of Philosophy at University College London, where he lectures on Sartre. His previous publications include the Routledge Guidebook on Kant and the Critique of Pure Reason.

Promotional headline:
Sebastian Gardner competently tackles one of Sartre”s more complex and challenging works in this new addition to the Reader”s Guides series.

for collection:
Bloomsbury Reader”s Guides are clear, concise and accessible introductions to key texts in literature and philosophy. Each book explores the themes, context, criticism and influence of key works, providing a practical introduction to close reading, guiding students towards a thorough understanding of the text. They provide an essential, up-to-date resource, ideal for undergraduate students.

Feature:
This is an invaluable addition to the excellent Reader”s Guides series.

Feature:
Reader”s Guides provide an ideal text for undergraduates, assuming little prior knowledge of philosophy.

Feature:
Sebastian Gardner is a highly acclaimed scholar and this will be a key reference in understanding Sartre”s work.