November 2006
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22 Reads
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109 Citations
Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction examines one of the leading philosophical movements of the twentieth century. Focusing on its seven leading figures: Sartre, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, de Beauvoir, Merleau–Ponty, and Camus, this VSI considers the key themes of the movement, which emphasized individuality, free will, and personal responsibility in the modern world. Drawing on the movement's varied relationships with the arts, humanism, and politics, it clarifies the philosophy and original meaning of ‘existentialism’ — which has tended to be obscured by misappropriation. By placing the philosophy in its political context, this VSI highlights the continuing relevance of existentialism.