Continental Philosophy »

College International de Philosophie, Paris

In this enlightening new Very Short Introduction, Simon Critchley shows us that Continental philosophy encompasses a distinct set of philosophical traditions and practices, with a compelling range of problems all too often ignored by the analytic tradition. He discusses the ideas and approaches of philosophers such as Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Habermas, Foucault, and Derrida. He also introduces key concepts such as existentialism, nihilism, and phenomology, by explaining their place in the Continental tradition.

The perfect guide for anyone interested in the great philosophers, this volume explains in lucid, straightforward language the split between Continental and Anglo-American philosophy and the importance of acknowledging Continental philosophy.

List of Illustrations Introduction
1. The gap between knowledge and wisdom
2. Origins of Continental Philosophy - How to get from Kant to German Idealism
3. Two Cultures in Philosophy - the need for both spectacles and eyes to see with
4. Can philosophy change the world? Critique, praxis, emancipation
5. What is to be done? How to respond to nihilism
6. A case study in misunderstanding: Heidegger and Carnap
7. Scientism versus obscurantism: avoiding the traditional predicament in philosophy
8. Sapere aude - the exhaustion of theory and the promise of philosophy Further Reading References Index