Book Review - J. Aaron Simmons and Bruce Ellis Benson, The New Phenomenology: A Philosophical Introduction (New York: Bloomsbury, 2013)
Journal of French and Francophone Philosophy February 10, 2016 DOI: 10.5195/jffp.2015.671 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis book review assesses J. Aaron Simmons and Bruce Ellis Benson's The New Phenomenology: A Philosophical Introduction, which examines the recent 'theological turn' in French phenomenology. The review discusses how the book introduces thinkers such as Emmanuel Levinas, Michel Henry, Jacques Derrida, Jean-Luc Marion, and Jean-Louis Chrétien, framing their work as a coherent movement that challenges classical phenomenology by engaging with religious and theological questions. The reviewer evaluates the book's pedagogical value, its accessibility for students, and its argument that this 'new phenomenology' offers a significant alternative to traditional phenomenological methods, while also noting potential limitations in its scope or treatment of the subject.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Book review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Theological turn Levinas Henry Derrida |
| Key finding | Argues that Simmons and Benson's book provides a useful introduction to the 'new phenomenology' and its theological turn, though the review notes both strengths and possible limitations in its presentation. |
Abstract
A Book Review of J. Aaron Simmons and Bruce Ellis Benson's The New Phenomenology: A Philosophical Introduction (New York: Bloomsbury, 2013)