This book is a fully updated and expanded new edition of An Introduction to Continental Philosophy, first published in 1996. It provides a clear, concise and readable introduction to philosophy in the continental tradition. It is a wide-ranging and reliable guide to the work of such major figures as Nietzsche, Habermas, Heidegger, Arendt, Sartre, Foucault, Derrida and Zizek. At the same time, it situates their thought within a coherent overall account of the development of continental philosophy since the Enlightenment.

Individual chapters consider the character of modernity, the Enlightenment and its continental critics; the ideas of Marxism, the Frankfurt School and Habermas; hermeneutics and phenomenology; existentialism; structuralism, post-structuralism and postmodernism. In addition to the thinkers already mentioned, there is extended discussion of the ideas of Kant, Hegel, Dilthey, Husserl, Gadamer, Kierkegaard, de Beauvoir and Lyotard. The new edition includes an additional, full-length chapter on continental philosophy in the twenty-first century focusing on Giorgio Agamben, Alain Badiou and Slavoj Zizek.

Continental Philosophy: An Introduction is an invaluable introductory text for courses on continental philosophy as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences dealing with major figures or influential approaches within that tradition.

About the Author
David West is a Reader in Political Science and International Relations at the Australian National University

Reviews

"West's ability as a story teller makes this a thoroughly interesting read regardless of one's degree of expertise in the subject. It is an exemplary introduction."
Sociological Review

"Thoughtful, thoroughly researched, well written, Continental Philosophy invites students and scholars to
engage in a rich and interesting tradition."
Teaching Philosophy

"This second edition does more than introduce continental philosophy; it makes it interesting and intriguing."
Philip Pettit, Princeton University

"David West's interpretations of the major figures of continental philosophy are succinct and insightful. He reads continental philosophy as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism and as a potential foundation for emancipatory politics. This edition includes a courageous critique of several important recent figures: Agamben, ?i?ek and Badiou. West provides an illuminating and thorough introduction to the continental tradition."
William R. Schroeder, University of Illinois

Book Information
ISBN 9780745645827
Author David West
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 226mm * 150mm * 28mm