Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction

By Simon Critchley

Book Overview

In this enlightening new Very Short Introduction, Simon Critchley shows us that Continental philosophy encompasses a distinct set of philosophical traditions and practices, with a compelling range of problems all too often ignored by the analytic tradition. He discusses the ideas and approaches of philosophers such as Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Habermas, Foucault, and Derrida. He also introduces key concepts such as existentialism, nihilism, and phenomonology, by explaining their place in the Continental tradition.

The perfect guide for anyone interested in the great philosophers, this volume explains in lucid, straightforward language the split between Continental and Anglo-American philosophy and the importance of acknowledging Continental philosophy.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B00BG707H2
• ISBN13: 9780192853592
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A brief well-written book on Continental Philosophy, however not recommended for beginners of Contin

I have read a few of Oxford's " A Very Short Introduction" books, and have to admit that they do a very well job in setting the foundations of the particular subject or person. This book, however, almost has the presupposition that you have previous knowledge in European philosophers/philosophy. If you do not have knowledge of the concepts of eighteenth and nineteenth century philosophies, this book may have you a little puzzled at times. This is not to blame the author in anyway; if anything it would be the attempt to make a foundation out of a dense subject in only 130 pages.