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Book cover of Paul Ricoeur
20th Century French Philosophy

Paul Ricoeur

by Karl Simms
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Overview

"Paul Ricoeur is one of the most important critical thinkers to emerge in the twentieth century. His unique 'theory of reading' or hermeneutics extends far beyond the reading of literary works to build into a theory for the reading of 'life'. As a result of this, such works as Philosophy of the Will, The Rule of Metaphor, Time and Narrative and Oneself as Another have impacted upon the widest range of disciplines, from literary criticism and philosophy to history, religion, legal studies and politics." In this guide, Karl Simms explores Ricoeur's most influential ideas, touching upon such concepts as good and evil, psychoanalysis, hermeneutics, metaphor, narrative, ethics, politics and justice. Crucially, he also places these ideas in context and looks at their continuing impact, in this way introducing important trends in contemporary thought. Throughout this volume, the author prepares us for our own reading of Ricoeur's work, and this culminates in an extensively annotated guide to his major publications.

Synopsis

Paul Ricoeur is one of the most wide-ranging thinkers to emerge in the twentieth century. He has developed a unique 'theory of reading' or hermeneutics, which extends far beyond the reading of literary works to build into a theory for the reading of 'life'. For this reason, his work has impacted not only upon literary studies, but upon such disciplines as philosophy, psychoanalysis, history, religion, legal studies and politics.
This introductory guide:
•details Ricoeur's most significant contributions to contemporary critical thought
•provides an intellectual context to his key ideas
•explores the debate around his work on good and evil, psychoanalysis, metaphor, narrative, politics and justice
•suggests the continuing relevance of Ricoeur's thought and examines the increasing interest in his work across a range of disciplines.
Karl Simms also provides a guide to further reading, which offers advice on Ricoeur's publications and relevant secondary texts. Refreshingly clear and impressively comprehensive, Paul Ricoeur is the essential guide to an essential theorist.

About the Author, Karl Simms

Karl Simms is Director of the English-Philosophy joint programme at the University of Liverpool and a lecturer in English Language and Literature. He is the editor of Ethics and the Subject (1997), Language and the Subject (1997) and Translating Sensitive Texts (1997).

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Book Details

Published
December 1, 2002
Publisher
Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Pages
176
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780415236379

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