This anthology with introductions presents the major figures of existentialism, including Dostoyevsky, Sartre,
Beauvoir, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, through their literary rather than philosophical writings. This approach
makes for an anthology that captures students' attention and helps them to understand the philosophers' views.
Each selection includes an introduction that provides philosophical background, a section on the basic existential
concepts covered in the reading, and insightful study questions.
Benefits:
Informative introductions to each selection provide context and help direct the student's reading.
Thematic organization is an excellent introduction to existentialism.
Lucid, simple expositions of ideas and themes help students understand the philosophers' views.
Short explanations of basic existential concepts supplement the literary selections, enriching the reader's
appreciation of existentialist fiction.
Questions for discussion spark classroom conversation and help elucidate the readings.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Part One: Existentialist Views on the Human Condition.
1. Fyodor's Dostoyevsky's "Notes from Underground".
2. Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea.
3. Jean-Paul Sartre's The Flies.
4. Albert Camus' The Stranger.
5. Albert Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus".
6. Simone de Beauvoir's "A Very Easy Death".
Part Two. Existentialist Views on Relations with Others.
7. Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit.
8. Simone de Beauvoir's "The Woman Destroyed".
9. Richard Wright's "The Man Who Lived Underground".
Part Three: Existentialist Views on Religion.
10. Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
11. Søren Kiekegaard's Fear and Trembling.
12 Fyodor Dostroyevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor".
13. Franz Kafka's "Before the Law".
