Book

Being and Time: A Guide

📖 Overview

Stephen Mulhall's Being and Time: A Guide provides a systematic analysis of Martin Heidegger's seminal philosophical work. This book walks readers through Heidegger's complex ideas and terminology while maintaining accessibility for those new to phenomenological thought. The guide proceeds chapter by chapter through Being and Time, explaining key concepts like Dasein, being-in-the-world, and temporality. Mulhall contextualizes Heidegger's arguments within both the philosophical tradition and contemporary academic discourse. Mulhall addresses common misinterpretations of Heidegger's work and offers his own interpretive framework. The text includes detailed explorations of specific passages while maintaining focus on the larger philosophical project. This work engages with fundamental questions about human existence, authenticity, and our relationship to time and being. The guide reveals how Heidegger's phenomenology continues to influence modern philosophical discourse about consciousness, identity, and meaning.

👀 Reviews

Readers view this as a helpful introduction to Heidegger's Being and Time, making complex ideas more accessible through clear explanations and examples. The book receives praise for breaking down difficult concepts without oversimplifying them. Likes: - Methodical chapter-by-chapter analysis - Clear writing style compared to other Heidegger commentaries - Useful for both beginners and those familiar with Heidegger - Effective explanations of key terms and concepts Dislikes: - Some sections remain dense and technical - Prerequisites in philosophy still needed - Limited coverage of later chapters of Being and Time - Can be repetitive at points Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) "This saved my dissertation" - Goodreads reviewer "Dense but rewarding if you put in the work" - Amazon reviewer "Not for complete beginners despite claims" - Goodreads reviewer

📚 Similar books

Heidegger: An Introduction by George Steiner The text presents Heidegger's core concepts through examination of his complete philosophical journey, from Being and Time through his later works.

The Cambridge Companion to Heidegger by Charles Guignon This collection of essays explores Heidegger's major themes and influences while connecting his ideas to broader philosophical traditions.

Basic Writings by Martin Heidegger, David Farrell Krell This compilation provides key excerpts from Heidegger's works with interpretive commentary that illuminates the progression of his thought.

A Thing of This World: A History of Continental Anti-Realism by Lee Braver The book traces the development of anti-realist thought from Kant through Heidegger to Foucault, demonstrating the connections between these thinkers' approaches to truth and reality.

The Origins of German Tragic Drama by Walter Benjamin Benjamin's examination of German baroque drama incorporates phenomenological methods similar to Heidegger's while exploring themes of temporality and being.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔰 Stephen Mulhall wrote this guide while teaching at the University of Essex, where he developed his interpretations through direct engagement with students struggling to understand Heidegger's complex work. 📚 The guide was first published in 1996 and has become one of the most widely used companion texts for studying "Being and Time," particularly in English-speaking universities. 🎓 Mulhall's approach differs from other guides by focusing on Heidegger's phenomenological method rather than just explaining the terminology, helping readers understand how Heidegger actually arrived at his conclusions. 🌟 The book is part of Routledge's Philosophy GuideBooks series, which specifically aims to make challenging philosophical texts accessible without oversimplifying their core arguments. 🔍 Unlike many other commentaries on "Being and Time," Mulhall's guide pays special attention to Heidegger's analysis of anxiety (Angst) and its role in revealing the nature of human existence.