Abstract

This is a long and difficult book from which, however, a good deal can be learned if the reader is able to devise strategies to stay with an always turgid and sometimes pedantic text. First published in 1965 as Die Andere: Studien zur Sozialontologie der Gegenwart and reissued in 1977 with the inclusion of further material, its translation by Christopher Macann brings to us an already established work in German philosophy which, I am afraid, is not likely to meet with the same success among an English audience that it has enjoyed in Europe. In a word, its thoroughly "Germanic" style may discourage all but the most devoted reader, especially given such sheer length. And this is unfortunate, since under it all Theunissen has a number of profound and even simple points to make.