Irrational Man (1958)

Barrett has given us a colorful and provocative overview of Existential philosophy, and it is so because is it not a dry survey of what Existentialism is, but what it means to us. Barrett, writing in the nineteen sixties, applies this to the man of a nuclear and technological age, an age we are immersed in even more today. We are given a wide overview of the currents of Existential thought, all the way back to the Hebrews and Hellenistic sources, to the present.

This work is more relevant than ever today, as the common folk lose themselves in the distractions of mass media or fill their days with work and deed, and professional philosophers lose themselves in the machinations of privileged academic masturbation, all will eventually have to grapple with the big Nothing swirling around in their depths. If not; knowing that the core of their masochistic dinner table fixation on terrorism, warfare, and apocalypse might one day greet them in seriousness; Nothingness will confront them. It'd be best for the mass of humanity to plow their inner depths prior to such a scenario, but there meditations on that very scenario are perhaps hope of an escape from this inevitable confrontation with Self. ( )

attractive to the rebellious idealism of a sophomore ( )

This overview or survey of existentialism sufficiently conveyed the core of that subject, even if it failed to speak to me in a very profound way. Originally printed in 1956 and dotted with references to things like the Iron Curtain and the Organization Man, one feels that one might be missing out on themes of more contemporary relevance in relation to existentialist thought. It may be difficult for some to overlook the author's exclusive use of the androcentric "Man" to refer to humans collectively and other linguistic conventions no longer in general favor. The first section of the book is dedicated to the the intellectual and artistic precursors and parallels to existentialism, and Barrett makes a strong case for their affinity with the philosophical movement. The second section (unfortunately, the smaller of the two) is an overview of the existentialisms of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. He doesn't exactly own up to it, but his brief presentations of each display a definite preference. Barrett cannot be faulted for exposing the shortcomings he sees, and there is significantly more exposed in the sections on Sartre and Nietzsche than the others. He seems to like Heidegger most of all and reserves a special distaste for Sartre. His narrative about Nietzsche hinges on the suggestion that Nietzsche's own philosophical and psychological shortcomings ultimately resulted in the insanity which afflicted him at the end of his life. Since that theory is pure speculation, and in fact a number of diseases have been suggested as possible causes, the suggestion is defamatory. It seems to be presented simply as a device for a better story, which fits into Barrett's view of Heidegger as the pinnacle of existentialist thought.Barrett is at his best when he appeals to the survival of human society, which is in imminent danger because the political establishment, he says, "lags so sadly behind the actual condition of man." American society especially is deluded by the "thin, abstract, and therefore dangerous" ideology of Enlightenment Rationality, having faced little significant challenge to its ruthless single-minded 400 year project of Manifest Destiny. Europe in contrast is rooted in thousands of years of history, making its intellectual heritage more complex and possibly more sensitive to the "shadow that surrounds all human Enlightenment."Overall, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. ( )

Interesting overview of Existentialist thinkers, but some of what he claims seems to be questionable. ( )

This book is well written, even by 1970's standards (when I read it). Should be used as a text book. The book book also shows how relevant existential philosophy still is even today - with alienation such a persuasive feature in contemporary society existentialism may be more prevalent now then ever. This book is very readable. It will provide the reader with an understanding of the most obscure exitentialists. This book should be a classic in existentialism. ( )