The Philosopher's Autobiography

Download or read book The Philosopher's Autobiography written by Shlomit C. Schuster and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2003-01-30 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout the ages philosophers have examined their own lives in an attempt both to find some meaning and to explain the roots of their philosophical perspectives. This volume is an introduction to philosophical autobiography, a rich but hitherto ignored literary genre that questions the self, its social context, and existence in general. The author analyzes representative narratives from antiquity to postmodernity, focusing in particular on three case studies: the autobiographies of St. Augustine, Rousseau, and Sartre. Through the study of these exemplary texts, philosophical reflection on the self emerges as a valid alternative to Freudian psychoanalysis and as a way of promoting self-renewal and change.