Existentialism, the Philosophy of Despair and the Quest for Hope

Stephen Evans begins this book by telling the reader of his own experience with death. The concern here is not death as a biological event or the way people feel when they are about to die, but with the existential significance this certain yet-to-come death has for the individual human life. Next the author gives a quick glimpse into the thoughts of such existentialists as Camus, Dostoevsky, Sartre, Marcel, and Kierkegaard-- the book is not meant as a treatment of individual thinkers, but the reader gets the basic gist of what they thought. (and for the interested there is a list of books for further reading in the back)Evans discuss morality and reasoning focusing on the effect existential despair and alienation can have on the individual person -- the roots of alienation and despair are also covered. There is a positive mood running throughout this entire book, even when Evans is discussing human emptiness and despair there is always a sense of hope. After giving a description of existentialism and its possibilities the final chapter is about the decision all thinking people must make; whether to despair as a way of life or whether to have hope in something more. The author gives some good criteria that should be considered when making your own choice-- and everyone does make a choice, everyone has an ultimate concern or as Camus said: 'one must choose a master'. The book is only 120 pages, still, the message is clear with everything being well presented and thought out. This is definitely a book worth a reading.

This was the first book I ever read to begin my exploration of existentialism. Although its been 10 years, it is still a most excellent introduction into existential thought, and while I have read broadly since, I have found C Stephen Evans a most excellent lucid author, whom I will be forever grateful for. He has opened a door for many universes to me in wonderful abounding thought. This is an excellent primer for those who have wondered about what existentialism means, but were afraid to ask.I can never keep this one on my shelf.