Existentialism: A Reconstruction 2nd Edition by David E. Cooper (PDF)

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First published in 1990, Existentialism is widely regarded as a classic introductory survey of the topic, and has helped to renew interest in existentialist philosophy. The author places existentialism within the great traditions of philosophy, and argues that it deserves as much attention from analytic philosophers as it has always received on the continent.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review ‘This revision and update of David Cooper’s clear and careful reconstructive introduction to existentialist philosophy can only strengthen the impression the original gave that questions raised by existential thinkers are those on which all the larger philosophical debates converge. With its supplements on religion, politics and art, and a closer look at the Heidegger-Sartre link, the book is now an even more formidable challenge to those who still doubt this philosophy’s credentials.’ – Alastair Hannay, University of Oslo ‘In this clear and superbly written book, David Cooper provides a thematic presentation of the central ideas of existentialism. He has produced an invaluable work for students and general readers who can appreciate a well-argued, straightforward account of existentialism that does not sacrifice the richness of the ideas that make the philosophy of existentialism so engaging.’ – James Risser, Seattle University Book Description First published in 1990, Existentialism is widely regarded as a classic introductory survey of the topic, and has helped to renew interest in existentialist philosophy. Utilizing recently published primary sources, David E. Cooper provides a sy. From the Inside Flap First published in 1990, Existentialism is widely regarded as a classic introductory survey of the topic, and has helped to renew interest in existentialist philosophy. Utilizing recently published primary sources, David E. Cooper provides a sympathetic, original account of a mainstream movement of philosophical thought, reconstructed from the best writing of Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and others. Existentialism is viewed as the attempt to”overcome” various forms of alienation: from the world, one another and oneself. The early chapters describe the existential phenomenology, on the basis of which the dualisms of Cartesian metaphysics are “dissolved”. Discussions of the self and others, and of “Angst” and absurdity, lead into chapters on existential freedom and the prospects for an existentialist ethics. Writers discussed include Husserl, Jaspers, Buber, Marcel, and Ortega. The author places existentialism within the great traditions of philosophy, and argues that it deserves as much attention from analytic philosophers as it has always received on the continent. From the Back Cover First published in 1990, Existentialism is widely regarded as a classic introductory survey of the topic, and has helped to renew interest in existentialist philosophy. Utilizing recently published primary sources, David E. Cooper provides a sympathetic, original account of a mainstream movement of philosophical thought, reconstructed from the best writing of Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and others. Existentialism is viewed as the attempt to”overcome” various forms of alienation: from the world, one another and oneself. The early chapters describe the existential phenomenology, on the basis of which the dualisms of Cartesian metaphysics are “dissolved”. Discussions of the self and others, and of “Angst” and absurdity, lead into chapters on existential freedom and the prospects for an existentialist ethics. Writers discussed include Husserl, Jaspers, Buber, Marcel, and Ortega. The author places existentialism within the great traditions of philosophy, and argues that it deserves as much attention from analytic philosophers as it has always received on the continent. About the Author David E. Cooper is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Durham. His many books include Epistemology: The Classic Readings (Blackwell 1999); Ethics: The Classic Readings (Blackwell 1997); A Companion to Aesthetics (Blackwell 1992); World Philosophies: An Historical Introduction (Blackwell 1995); Metaphor (1986); Heidegger (1996). He is currently editing the series Philosophy: The Classic Readings (Blackwell Publishers). Read more

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The book identified many key concepts necessary to understanding existentialism. In the text the author provides an extensive number of references to a wide range of existential philosophers, so the reader is able to explore more extensively the thoughts of that particular philosopher in that particular topic area, if he wishes to. The one shortcoming in the book is the author’s habit of not moving directly into a given topic once it has been announced in the text. Rather, the author feels the need to deal first with a number of “preliminary” issues followed up by qualifications ultimately stating that these issues will be dealt with later. The author has assumed that the reader is already deeply familiar with existentialism and the topic he is about to discuss and thus might hold an opinion that will run counter to the concept that the he is about to explain. The author believes that the counter argument or arguments need to be briefly mentioned first with the explanation that they will be dealt with later. Instead, the author should explain and thoroughly discuss the actual announced topic at hand. After that has been accomplished and the reader is comfortable with an understanding of the concept, counter arguments may be brought up. At that point the reader is in a position to understand them.

⭐As someone who’s fairly well read in philosophy, but not formally educated in it, I was excited at the possibility to further my understanding of existentialism. Having previously read Nietzsche, Camus, Sartre, Dostoyevsky, etc…I felt that I had a solid base from which to learn. Unfortunately this was not the case. David Cooper has clearly lost the ability to communicate. I have never read a more inarticulate book. I am sure that this is by design, but for what purpose? Page after page of nonsense, whole paragraphs of complete gibberish. It was as if he used a random word generator to write the book. Fortunately I did find Existentialism – From Dostoevsky to Sartre by Walter Kaufmann which is the complete opposite of this book. It’s wonderful.

⭐Great and interesting book. Purchased for a philosophy class.

⭐For an introduction to the subject, this book is very abstract and heavy on the philosophical jargon. Existential philosophy is a vital subject that can be applied to a person’s daily life. True, some of its leading proponents wrote in dense and, to the beginner, daunting, language. But the purpose of a book like this is to bridge the gap between that daunting language and the beginner’s understanding of the subject. Once bridged, the beginner is better prepared to tackle the challenging source material. This book failed to do this. For a book that does not fail, I recommend Existentialism by Thomas Wartenberg.

⭐David E. CooperExistentialism(Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1999—second edition) 220 pages(ISBN: 0-631-21322-8; hardcover)(ISBN: 0-631-21323-6; paperback)(Library of Congress call number: B819.C62 1999) The main virtue of this book is that it is readily available.It is a competent review of the main ideas of existentialismby a man who is now a professor of philosophy.It was originally published in 1990, when I first read it.I have read it again in the new edition, hoping for improvements,but the book remains basically the same,with an appendix added, which answers the claimthat Heidegger and Sartre are substantially different. The first half of the book deals with the philosophical background.And when Cooper finally gets aroundto the new themes presented in existentialism,he gives only a superficial analysis.For example, his analysis of angst, death, and absurdityare not nearly as deep as presented in Our Existential Predicament,which I should admit was written by this reviewer. For all readers who are hoping fora passionately existential book on existentialism,this book will be a disappointment.It is an academic rather than an existential approach to the subject.The author remains an observer of existentialism from outside,rather than a living person whose life has been changedby existential insights and perspectives. Nevertheless, it could be a good place to begin readingfor someone who knows nothing about existentialism.Just don’t let your whole impression of existentialismbe formed by this one book.James Leonard Park, existential philosopher

⭐David E.Cooper’s Existentialism: A Reconstruction is just that.It reconstructs out of the many philosophers of Existentialism an imaginary amalgam and synthetic creature,The Existentialist,who gives us the line of up-to-date existential awareness,that is relevant to our lives today.In demystifying these complex concepts:Being-in-theworld, Being-for-itself,Being-in-itself,commitment,availability,Dasein,freedom,self-estrangement, phenomenology, epoche, directedness,intentionality,reduction,spectator,participant,project,The Other, proximal,negativity,ready-to-hand, equipmental,care,value,lack,alienation,’objective body’.’lived body’,authenticity,bad faith,the Look,an object for the Other,herd mentality,mass existence,Public,they,facticity,transcendence,fallenness,salaud,ex-istent,choice, contingency,thrownness,given,Angst,useless passion,gratuitious,absurd, outside myself,open to the world, spectatorial ego,intersubjective solidarity,it clears up the subjectivist/psychological cloud it was under.Cooper unpacks this whole nucleur payload of meaning in calm,lucid, coherent,logical prose.He also utilises the major works of Heidegger(Being and Time),and Sartre(Being and Nothingness),and their other works,along with Kierkegaard’s several,Husserl’s works on phenomenology,Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception,Gasset,Buber and Beauvoir’s many tomes,Jaspers,with a sprinkling of Nietzsche’s,also quoting from Wittgenstein,Marcel,Iris Murdoch, Maccquarrie and Barrett.Existentialism is viewed as the attempt to overcome various forms of alienation:from the world,from one another,from oneself.The early chapters describe the existential phenomenology,on the basis of which the Cartesian metaphysics are `dissolved’.Discussions of the self and of others,and of `Angst’ and absurdity,lead into chapters on existential freedom and the prospects for an existential ethic and reciprocal freedom.Cooper seems to remove the soap bubble around Continental philosophy, placing existentialism within the great historical traditions of philosophy,arguing that it deserves as much attention from analytical philosophers as it has always received on the Continent.He demonstrates that Sartreand Heiddeger have a lot more in common,despite their differences.

⭐This is an extremely well-written book. I have read two other books by David E Cooper and consider him a first-rate writer. (The other two books are Heidegger – Thinkers of Our Time and Spirit of the Environment). He is able to explain complex ideas extremely clearly in an engaging style.Existentialism: A Reconstruction is a brilliant survey of existential thought and whether you are considering reading this as part of academic study or personal interest I find it hard to imagine a better guide to the subject.

⭐Cooper’s book takes you on a tour of existentialist philosophy via ‘the Existentialist’, a character encompassing the most worthwhile aspects of key existentialist figures. Whilst it is very much a specific interpretation of existentialist thinkers, it is a sophisticated introduction to the philosophy; providing a great answer to the question: ‘what makes a philosophy existentialist?’

⭐Great book…expertly plotted with lots of creativity. I would highly recommend this book to others who enjoy reading about this subject area.

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