French Philosophy in the Twentieth Century

Author: Gutting, Gary

Brand: Cambridge University Press

Binding: paperback

Number Of Pages: 419

Release Date: 21-05-2001

Part Number: black & white illustrations

Details: Product Description
In this book Gary Gutting tells, clearly and comprehensively, the story of French philosophy from 1890 to 1990. He examines the often neglected background of spiritualism, university idealism, and early philosophy of science, and also discusses the privileged role of philosophy in the French education system. Taking account of this background, together with the influences of avant-garde literature and German philosophy, he develops a rich account of existential phenomenology, which he argues is the central achievement of French thought during the century, and of subsequent structuralist and poststructuralist developments. His discussion includes chapters on Bergson, Sartre, Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty, Foucault, and Derrida, with sections on other major thinkers including Lyotard, Deleuze, Irigaray, Levinas, and Ricoeur. He offers challenging analyses of the often misunderstood relationship between existential phenomenology and structuralism and of the emergence of poststructuralism. Finally, he sketches the major current trends of French philosophy.
Amazon.com Review
French philosophers have a reputation as some of the most perplexing. American readers tend to dismiss them with a huff or venerate them over cigarettes and coffee. Gary Gutting does neither. His approach in
French Philosophy in the Twentieth Century is scholarly, judicious, and clear. The result is an exceptional look at a rich philosophical tradition. Gutting is one of the world's leading authorities on the work of Michel Foucault, and his depth on the century's other Gallic thinkers is comparable. The book is more than a general survey; it is a careful history of ideas, as well as an excellent series of essays on the main French thinkers of the last 100 years.
Gutting devotes much of his time to the half dozen giants of recent French thought: Henri Bergson, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Foucault, and Jacques Derrida. Of course, there are legions of other influences--such as Marcel, Saussure, Lévi-Strauss, Lacan, Kristeva, Lyotard, Deleuze, Irigaray, Levinas--and these get attention too, though in fewer pages. Gutting weaves the book together with a narrative history that accounts for the influences of literature and German thought. In addition, the carefully selected chapter epigraphs do more than supplement the text; they are windows into the vivid philosophy of Marcel Proust's literature. --Eric de Place
Review
'This very important review of philosophy in France from 1890 to 1990 will be of great value to newcomers and specialists … With helpful notes and a good index and bibliography, even those who object to some of Gutting's interpretations or criticisms will find this a valuable resource.' A. D. Schrift, Grinnell College

'Gutting's book is the most accomplished and wide-ranging study of its subject yet written. … Gutting's clearly written and well-organised book fully deserves a prominent place on any reading list for teachers and students of modern French thought.' Modern and Comtemporary France
Book Description
A clear and comprehensive account of the history of French philosophy in the twentieth century.

EAN: 9780521665599

Package Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.0 x 1.1 inches

Languages: English