On Being and Becoming: An Existentialist Approach to Life

Gosetti-Ferencei (The Life of the Imagination), a philosophy professor at Johns Hopkins University, delivers a sharp, rewarding history of existentialist philosophy. She is keen to debunk the image many readers may have of existentialism: that of post-WWII Parisian cafés, black turtlenecks, and a kind of retreat from engagement with daily life. Instead, she argues, the philosophy encourages energetic, passionate engagement with daily life while at the same time acknowledging that the world can often be a little absurd. Gosetti-Ferencei starts with an excellent prologue that introduces existentialism as a philosophy that “swept the world of popular culture in the post-war period like no other philosophy in modern memory” thanks to its focus on “freedom, authenticity, and responsibility for our actions and values” based on subjective truth and the “capacity to evolve in the light of possibilities.” She then gives the reader a brief history of existentialism, comparing it to other major philosophies such as Platonism; existentialism “attacked the Platonic tradition for suppressing flux in favor of a more stable, Parmenidean vision of the universe.” To consider how existentialism can function in such everyday situations as romance or work, Gosetti-Ferencei recommends embracing “multiple roles in life” that are “authentically embodied.” Digestible summaries and ideas for practical application make this guide accessible to any philosophically minded reader. Even those well versed in existentialist thought will walk away from this with a new appreciation for the philosophy. (Nov.)