On Being Authentic

Charles Guignon teaches philosophy at the University of South Florida. He is the author of Heidegger and the Problem of Knowledge and editor of The Cambridge Companion to Heidegger.

• Preface, One The Culture of Authenticity, Two The Enchanted Garden, Three The Modern Worldview, Four Romanticism and the Ideal of Authenticity, Five The Heart of Darkness, Six De-centering the Subject, Seven Story-Shaped Selves, Eight Authenticity in Context, Notes, Index

'I know of no better account of authenticity than On Being Authentic. Guignon evenhandedly and in plain non-technical English explains the attractions and dangers inherent in this widely held ideal, connects it with deeper cultural currents, and shows how it fits into contemporary thought. The book is a fine achievement, and I recommend it for all literate general readers.' John Kekes'On Being Authentic traverses often very dense acreages of philosophical argument with considerable elegance. It never patronises the reader, or gives the impression of talking down to them. It is enthusiastic and engaging ... For anyone who, bemused at our culture's seemingly endless fascination with individual self-worth, seeks some firm guide as how we arrived here, On Being Authentic will prove to be an admirable starting point.' - Jonathan Sawday, Glasgow University'A very important book. We urgently need to be able to think clearly about authenticity, and Charles Guignon is uniquely prepared to say something important on this matter.' - Charles Taylor, author of The Ethics of Authenticity'a solid and readable overview of the modern concept of personal authenticity...a thoughtful introduction to the topic' Mentalhelp.net