Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre by Walter Kaufmann

Existentialism From Dostoevsky To Sartre delves into the often misunderstood philosophic position, tracing its origins and principles through the works of major thinkers. The book provides a broad perspective on existentialism, showcasing its religious, literary, and philosophic roots. It includes complete selections or entire works from prominent figures like Sartre, Jaspers, Heidegger, Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Rilke, and Camus, offering a deep dive into their insights and contributions to the existentialist movement./n/nThis anthology is curated by Walter Kaufmann, a renowned expert in the field, who presents and interprets the insights of existentialism as they evolve and deepen through the works of these major thinkers. The book features original translations and a variety of material, making it a comprehensive resource for understanding the existentialist perspective on being, existence, and the human condition.

Reviews

Goodreads · 2025-12-23

excellent 4.10

The book is highly regarded for its comprehensive coverage of existentialist thought. Readers appreciate its depth and the quality of the excerpts included.

Goodreads reviewers consistently praise this book for its thorough exploration of existentialism. The collection is seen as a valuable resource, offering a wide range of perspectives from prominent existentialist thinkers. Many readers find the excerpts to be well-chosen and insightful, providing a solid foundation for understanding the philosophy. The book's accessibility is often highlighted, making it suitable for both academic and casual readers. Overall, it is considered a must-read for anyone interested in existentialism.

Quick quotes

One of the foremost resources on existentialism from renowned philosopher, poet, and Nietzsche translator Walter Kaufmann.

The book provides a good introduction to existentialism, with one mentioning it serves as a good primer for further reading.

What is Existentialism? It is perhaps the most misunderstood of modern philosophic positions.

Timothy R. Keen · Timothy R. Keen · 2024-06-17

insightful 4.50

The book offers a comprehensive collection of existentialist writings, providing a deep dive into the philosophy. It is praised for its accessibility and the breadth of its content.

Timothy R. Keen highlights that this book is a treasure trove for anyone interested in existentialism. The excerpts and essays from key figures like Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Sartre are thoughtfully curated, making it an excellent resource for both beginners and seasoned readers. Keen appreciates the clarity and depth of the selections, noting that the book demystifies existentialist thought and makes it more approachable. They particularly enjoy the way the book contextualizes each writer's contributions, providing a cohesive understanding of the existentialist movement.

Quick quotes

This book contains excerpts and essays written by a number of writers who've been identified with Existentialism.

The book demystifies existentialist thought and makes it more approachable.

The selections are thoughtfully curated, providing a cohesive understanding of the existentialist movement.

Eric Lanke's Blog · Eric Lanke · 2019-05-15

good 3.80

The book is a valuable resource for understanding existentialist thought, though some find the writing style challenging.

Eric Lanke acknowledges the book's significance as a compilation of existentialist writings. He appreciates the depth and breadth of the content, noting that it provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophy. However, Lanke mentions that the writing style can be challenging at times, which might make it less accessible to some readers. Despite this, he finds the book to be an essential read for anyone interested in existentialism, as it offers unique insights into the thoughts of key figures in the movement.

Quick quotes

It provides insight into the existentialist movement, featuring writings from influential figures such as Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Sartre.

The way he writes loses me. I have an English degree, but I still lose some track of what he's referring to.

Very essential! Walter Kaufmann is the departure point for great philosophical discussions.

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