This textbook introduces you to existentialist philosophical theory and its cultural influence.

The first part of the book offers an introductory overview of the 19th century historical roots of existentialist thought and chapters on all the key players: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Camus. The second part presents a thematic approach, with chapters on Christian and Jewish existentialism, existentialism in America, existential psychology and existentialism in the cinema.

Ideal for undergraduate and classroom use, this engaging and accessible textbook includes pedagogical features, such as study questions, chapter summaries, key definitions and further reading.

Robert Wicks is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Part I: Historical and Thematic Introduction
Part II: Traditional Existentialism
1. Soren Kierkegaard
2. Friedrich Nietzsche
3. Martin Heidegger
4. Jean-Paul Sartre
5. Simone de Beauvoir
6. Albert Camus
Part III: Varieties of Existentialism
7. Christian Existentialism
8. Jewish Existentialism
9. American Existentialism
10. Existential Psychology
11. Existentialism in the Cinema
12. Conclusion: Why Existentialism Today?
Notes
Further Reading
Index