Heidegger: (The Routledge Philosophers)

Martin Heidegger ranks alongside Wittgenstein as one of the twentieth century's most influential yet controversial philosophers. A towering figure in the schools of phenomenology and existential, his work inspired Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Derrida. This introduction covers the whole of Heidegger's work and is ideal for anyone coming to his work for the first time. John Richardson centres his introduction around the two topics that characterise Heidegger's work as a whole and that form the title of his most important work: being and time. Beginning with an overview of Heidegger's life and work, he explains the development of Heidegger's thought up to the publication of Being and Time. He then introduces and assesses the key arguments of Being and Time under three key headings: pragmatism; existentialism; and the themes of time and being. He also explains how Heidegger departed from Husserl's understanding of phenomenology itself. Subsequent chapters introduce Heidegger's later philosophy, in particular his turn towards an historicized account of being; his influential writings on art, poetry and language and his view that art and literature are essential to an evolving, cultural understanding of human being; and his theory that being is expressed above all in technology and science which problematically 'enframes' much of our understanding and action. The final chapter considers Heidegger's profound influence on a number of different intellectual movements from existentialism to postmodernism and how his work was taken up and criticised by subsequent philosophers. Including a chronology, glossary, and helpful conclusions to each chapter, Heidegger is a much-needed and refreshing introduction to this major figure that will interest and stimulate students and scholars alike.

Table of Contents:
1. Life and works 2. Early development 3. Being and Time: Phenomenology 4. Being and Time: Pragmatism 5. Being and Time: Existentialism 6. Being and Time: Time and being 7. Heidegger’s turning 8. Language and art 9. Technology and god 10. Heidegger’s influences Glossary Bibliography Index

About the Author :
John Richardson is Professor of philosophy at New York University, USA. He is the author of Existential Epistemology; A Heideggerian Critique of the Cartesian Project (1986), Nietzsche's System (1996), and Nietzsche's New Darwinism (2004). He is a co-editor of Nietzsche (2001) in the Oxford Readings in Philosophy series.

Review :
"Equally remarkable for its erudition and clarity, this book will prove invaluable for students and scholars looking for guidance through Heidegger's early and later thought. Richardson's discussion of Being and Time is particularly ingenious, showing how it progresses through the increasingly profound layers of pragmatism, existentialism, and temporality. I highly recommend it." - Lee Braver, Hiram College, USA