Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-61) was one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century. His theories of perception and the role of the body have had an enormous impact on the humanities and social sciences, yet the full scope of his contribution not only to phenomenology but philosophy generally is only now being fully recognized. In this lucid and comprehensive introduction, Taylor Carman explains and assesses the full range of Merleau-Ponty''s philosophy.
Beginning with an overview of Merleau-Ponty''s life and work, subsequent chapters cover fundamental aspects of Merleau-Ponty''s thought, including his philosophy of perception and intentionality; the role of the body in perception; freedom and our relation to others; history and culture; and art, particularly the paintings of C-nne. A final chapter considers Merleau-Ponty''s importance today, examining his philosophy in light of recent developments in philosophy of mind and cognitive science.
