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How to Be an Existentialist: or How to Get Real, Get a Grip and Stop Making Excuses
by
Gary Cox
How to Be an Existentialist is a witty and entertaining book about the philosophy of existentialism. It is also a genuine self-help book offering clear advice on how to live according to the principles of existentialism formulated by Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, and the other great existentialist philosophers. An attack on contemporary excuse culture, the book urges us to fac...more
Hardcover, 136 pages
Published
November 1st 2009
by Continuum
(first published 2009)
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I would recommend this book to anyone who has a basic ability to grasp abstract concepts. Overall, it approaches its point with a direct simplicity, not over-saturating the concept with muddling jargon and academic posturing.
There is a bit in the middle when I started to feel a bit over my head (once he starts in with the "facticity"s) but it quickly passed.
It is short enough not to seem daunting, as many philosophers are dreadfully verbose, taking three pages to say what might be said in one....more
There is a bit in the middle when I started to feel a bit over my head (once he starts in with the "facticity"s) but it quickly passed.
It is short enough not to seem daunting, as many philosophers are dreadfully verbose, taking three pages to say what might be said in one....more
This little book blew me away, for two reasons. Firstly, I had expected to be done with it in maybe 2 hours. Secondly, I expected it to be a silly jokey read, on the basis of its silly jokey title. I was wrong on both counts. The book is a short and dense treatise on existentialism, written in as jargon-free a language as possible, and still maintaining something of a 'the world is meaningless, get off your ass and do something about it' vibe, that is kind of inspiring without being mawkish. The...more
This is a weird little book that does a middling job fulfilling its two distinct aims. It is neither an excellent theoretical introduction to existentialism for the uninitiated nor a practical manual that actually lays out a distinct method for implementing existentialism towards living a better life. The book adopts a hip, irreverent style and the discussion is interspersed with ironic asides-- presumably all to draw in the non-specialist reader and put him at ease with the weighty concepts. Ho...more
During my first phenomenology-course at the University of Heidelberg, I almost gave up the idea to continue my studies of philosophy. I did not understand a single word as the professor started to talk about the two heavy-weights Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger and their concepts of ‘Dasein’ (German for ‘being-there’). “The term refers to a person’s unique spatial and temporal situated-ness in this world.”, I remember him saying. I was too scared to ask, what the heck this was supposed to me...more
Where to start? This book was great. My first full exposure to existentialism and boy, was it a good one. Covers things like the basic foundations of existentialism, the Other, bad faith, authenticity, temporal relationships, being, being-with-others, being-for-others,being-in-situation, etc. There's so many great quotes in this book (55 highlights in my kindle) but a favorite is this one:
"Existentialism recommends bravely accepting that this is how life is and making the most of it. It recomme...more
"Existentialism recommends bravely accepting that this is how life is and making the most of it. It recomme...more
Quite a lot of pretentious tosh surrounding basically a reasonable way to view life. Probably worth reading as an introduction.
This is a fairly readable book, although some of the more philosophical sections need to be reread, and I think I get them now but am not sure.
From what I can gather, a person is a work in progress, not a defined thing. They are a combination of their previous choices and the possibilities that future choices may bring. Everyone is free in the sense of not only being abl...more
This is a fairly readable book, although some of the more philosophical sections need to be reread, and I think I get them now but am not sure.
From what I can gather, a person is a work in progress, not a defined thing. They are a combination of their previous choices and the possibilities that future choices may bring. Everyone is free in the sense of not only being abl...more
Feb 07, 2012
Jasmine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
wanna be existentialists.
Shelves:
british
So it's really hard right now to not beat you about the head with a hundred zillion quotes from this book. I mean there are so many important terms, there are so many insightful statements. the section on bad faith was one of the best I've ever read, the section drawing parallels between nietzsche and sartre... swoon.
So there is this thing about philosophers... no joke... a philosopher is not an expert on a school they are an expert on a guy (except simon critchely who is an expert on everythin...more
So there is this thing about philosophers... no joke... a philosopher is not an expert on a school they are an expert on a guy (except simon critchely who is an expert on everythin...more
A great little book which outlines the very basics of existentialism without falling into a wormhole of philoso-speak that leaves you feeling like a total idiot. I think it serves as a good entry point into this domain and does a good job of highlighting the points where existentialist philosophers disagree. The authour wrote his PHD and several books on Sartre, so he uses a lot of examples from Sartre's works, but still does an ok job of introducing other key existentialist thinkers.
I didn't become an existentialist by reading this book (although the writer states that being an existentialist is an ongoing effort), but it says some nice things about freedom by making choices and taking your responsibility. A good introduction with lots of Sartre and some Nietzsche to make it complete.
A brilliant, concise book on existentialism which makes difficult concepts easier to grasp. I read this following an introduction on existentialist counselling on my course, of which very little made sense. This book has filled in the gaps (gaping chasms!). And I love the sarcastic asides!!
This book has made the unapproachable subject of existentialism approachable and has definitely whetted my appetite for more on the subject.
The Hard Truth that life is meaningless within a Godless universe is now a more digestable notion for me.
As a self-help guide, it offers a refreshingly frank guide to counselling: no "we are the world; win-win" nonsense here.
It's amusing & mind-opening without being weighty.
If you want an opening to this subject, I couldn't suggest a better start than th...more
The Hard Truth that life is meaningless within a Godless universe is now a more digestable notion for me.
As a self-help guide, it offers a refreshingly frank guide to counselling: no "we are the world; win-win" nonsense here.
It's amusing & mind-opening without being weighty.
If you want an opening to this subject, I couldn't suggest a better start than th...more
The writing style is frustrating and the author is a little self-serving, but the material is presented in an incredibly digestible and interesting manner. A typically challenging topic is offered here in a very understandable simplification. All things considered, given the subject matter, it's a quick read.
For those people who enjoy Sartre, a great deal. As on each page there is a ninety percent chance for his name to be mentioned. A great accompaniment for book such as: Nausea, Being and Nothingness, and War Diaries.
A beautiful book that shares the fundamental ideas of Existentialism and teaches us how to be one. Very enjoyable read, Gary Cox is a witty writer indeed! Highly recommended for those interested in Existentialism or what to get real in life.
possibly the least interesting book I've read in recent times...I'm not sure i actually got anything useful out of it, and it wasn't even that enjoyable...having children screaming at me while reading it may have had an influence on this, just a fraction maybe
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Exceedingly clear, readable and entertaining introduction to a convoluted subject.
Really enjoyed this book. Author clearly has a sense of humour. A demanding read but worth the effort.
This book was funny.
Excellent, understandable Sartre. Makes one want to read more on this branch of philosophy, now somewhat out of fashion, but very germane to our times.
Jul 24, 2012
Li-Wen
added it
thought that this was a self help book at first, but provided an adequate introduction to the topic of existentialism. easy and clear read.
Very accessible. And witty at times.
As far as popular self-help goes, this has got to be one of the better ones. It explains many key concepts of the existential movement, and urges you to be less delusional, more self-aware, and to take responsibility. Easier said than done. But more useful than looking in the mirror and repeatedly chanting "Be who you want to be".
I'm revisiting this book after an initial whiz-through. It's the sort of philosophy book I enjoy the most - breaking down abstract ideas into practical chunks. The second reading has built on the initial one, which opened my eyes. Now I have a deeper insight. Really enjoying it.
this book was my first exposure to existentialism
i recommend it a lot for that purpose
i often refer back to the 'principle truths' in this book for how digestibly articulated they are
i recommend it a lot for that purpose
i often refer back to the 'principle truths' in this book for how digestibly articulated they are
It's like freakonomics for philosophy - i was quite sceptic about it but thought the humour was going to be well put. I was happy when it ended
A little glib in places, but useful.
I think this will need a re-read in a little while to get my head around all the information.
May 21, 2013
Fraser
marked it as to-read
May 19, 2013
Brian
is currently reading it
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“Part of being of a true existentialist is wanting to be what we make ourselves be by the way we choose to act, as opposed to making excuses for the way we act and regretting it.”
—
6 people liked it
“To choose not to choose is still a choice for which you alone are responsible.”
—
3 people liked it
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