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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy Paperback - 1962

by William Barrett

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Reader reviews for Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

From the publisher

Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist philosophy ever written, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett speaks eloquently and directly to concerns of the 1990s: a period when the irrational and the absurd are no better integrated than before and when humankind is in even greater danger of destroying its existence without ever understanding the meaning of its existence.

Irrational Man begins by discussing the roots of existentialism in the art and thinking of Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Baudelaire, Blake, Dostoevski, Tolstoy, Hemingway, Picasso, Joyce, and Beckett. The heart of the book explains the views of the foremost existentialists--Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. The result is a marvelously lucid definition of existentialism and a brilliant interpretation of its impact.

First line

THE story is told (by Kierkegaard) of the absent-minded man so abstracted from his own life that he hardly knows he exists until, one fine morning, he wakes up to find himself dead.

From the jacket flap

Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist Philosophy, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett discusses the views of 19th and 20th century existentialists Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre and interprets the impact of their thinking on literature, art, and philosophy.

Details

  • Title Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
  • Author William Barrett
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Book Club Editio
  • Pages 314
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Anchor Books, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 1962-07-01
  • Features Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780385031387 / 0385031386
  • Weight 0.55 lbs (0.25 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.01 x 5.23 x 0.74 in (20.35 x 13.28 x 1.88 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: Modern
  • Category Philosophy
  • Library of Congress subjects Existentialism
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 90033388
  • Dewey Decimal Code 142.78

About the author

William Barrett is widely known as one of the first philosophers to introduce existentialism to America. Besides a long and distinguished career as a professor of philosophy, he was editor of Partisan Review and the literary critic for Atlantic Monthly. Barrett authored The Illusion of Technique and The Truants, among other books. He died in 1992, at the age of 78.

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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
Stock photo: cover may vary

Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

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  • Paperback
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Acceptable
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
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Anchor, 1/1/1990 12:00:01 AM. paperback. Acceptable. 0.7874 in x 7.9528 in x 5.1181 in. Pages include notes, underlining, or highlighting
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

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Anchor, 1990. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
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Acceptable
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Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
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Anchor, 1990. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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NZ$12.42
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
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Description:
Anchor, 1990. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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NZ$12.42
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
Quantity available
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Description:
Anchor, 1990. Paperback. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Irrational Man : A Study in Existential Philosophy
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Irrational Man : A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
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Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Irrational Man : A Study in Existential Philosophy
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Irrational Man : A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
Quantity available
1
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Item price
NZ$13.92
Free Delivery to USA

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Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Item price
NZ$13.92
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Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy
Stock photo: cover may vary

Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy

by Barrett, William

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780385031387 / 0385031386
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Description:
Anchor, 1962. Paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x7. Fair Paperback. Text has markings. Covers show edge wear with rubbing, creases. Previous owner's name is on end paper. Hinges cracked but binding intact. Cover does not match illustration on this site.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Ships same or next business day!
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