Topics Philosophers

Question Why isn't Husserl mentioned in introductory classes on existentialism? I recently took a course on existentialism at a university and his name never came up. Many introductory texts on existentialism don't mention him either despite his enormous influence on the subject. Maybe if I took a course at Harvard I would have gotten a better survey of the subject.

Accepted:
June 24, 2010

Comments

When I was at Harvard, there was no course on existentialism, but perhaps things have changed! In any case, I encourage your reading of Husserl independently. In defense of your introductory class and the average text dedicated to existentialism, Husserl is more closely linked to phenomenology than existentialism. A reading of Husserl can enhance one's reading of Heidegger (who was quite ambivalent about being classified as an existentialist), but I am not sure it is essential for appreciating and engaging the work of Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, and you can certainly have a full go at the work of Kierkegaard (whom Sartre once billed as the father of existentialism) without Husserl. One other factor to consider on behalf of your philosophy instructor: you mentioned that your course was "introductory." Husserl is VERY VERY difficult. Sartre and company are far more easy to engage and attract newcomers. If you set off one morning to read Husserl's "The way to the Transcendental Ego," you will need to do more than pack a lunch. I wish you every success in your studies, whether at Harvard or elsewhere!