In Search of Authenticity: Existentialism From Kierkegaard to Camus (Problems of Modern European Thought)

Great philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Sartre have clearly been preoccupied by the possibility of authenticity. In this study, Jacob Golomb looks closely at the literature and writings of these philosophers in his analysis of their ethics. Golomb's writing shows his passionate commitment to the quest for the authenticity - particularly in our climate of post-modern scepticism. He argues that existentialism is all the more pertinent and relevant today when set against the general disillusionment which characterises the late 20th century. Personal Authenticity Is Out Of Fashion Amongst Analytic Philosophers. Yet, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre And Camus Were Clearly Preoccupied By Its Theoretical And Practical Viability. In This Study, Jacob Golomb Illuminates The Writings Of These Philosophers In An Attempt To Explain Their Particular Ethical Stance On The Subject. This Book Will Prove Invaluable Reading For Students And Teachers Of Philosophy, Literature And Education And Indeed For Anyone Who Has Ever Empathized With Camus's Meursault, Sartre's Matthieu Or Nietzsche's Zarathustra. 1. Authenticity, Sincerity And Honesty -- 2. Authenticity, Literature And Irony -- 3. Kierkegaard's Ironic Ladder To Authentic Faith -- 4. Nietzsche's Pathos Of Authenticity -- 5. Heidegger's Ontology Of Authenticity -- 6. Sartre: From Phenomenological Ontology To Psychoanalysis And Politics -- 7. Camus's Return To Authentic Human Morality -- Conclusion: Authenticity And Ethics. Jacob Golomb. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Great philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Sartre have clearly been preoccupied by the possibility of authenticity. In this study, Jacob Golomb looks closely at the literature and writings of these philosophers in his analysis of their ethics. Golomb's writings shows his passionate commitment to the quest for the authenticity - particularly in our climate of post-modern scepticism. He argues that existentialism is all the more pertinent and relevant today when set against the general disillusionment which characterises the late twentieth century. This book is invaluable reading for those who have been fascinated by figures like Camus's Meursault, Sartre's Matthieu and Nietzsche's Zarathustra. Annotation "Personal authenticity is out of fashion amongst analytic philosophers. Yet, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre and Camus were clearly preoccupied by its theoretical and practical viability." "In this study, Jacob Golomb illuminates the writings of these philosophers in an attempt to explain their particular ethical stance on the subject." "This book will prove invaluable reading for students and teachers of philosophy, literature and education and indeed for anyone who has ever empathized with Camus's Meursault, Sartre's Matthieu or Nietzsche's Zarathustra."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 Editors’ Foreword 9 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction 12 1 Authenticity, sincerity and honesty 16 2 Authenticity, literature and irony 24 3 Kierkegaard’s ironic ladder to authentic faith 35 4 Nietzsche’s pathos of authenticity 61 5 Heidegger’s ontology of authenticity 76 6 Sartre: from phenomenological ontology to psychoanalysis and politics 105 7 Camus’s return to authentic human morality 134 Conclusion: Authenticity and ethics 158 Bibliography 163 Index 167 Philosophers such as Kierkgaard, Nietzsche and Sartre have clearly been preoccupied with the possibility of authenticity. In this study, Golomb examines the literature and work of these philosophers in his analysis of their ethics.