First published in 1945 Maurice Merleau-Pontyâs monumental PhÃnomÃnologie de la perception signalled the arrival of a major new philosophical and intellectual voice in post-war Europe. Breaking with the prevailing picture of existentialism and phenomenology at the time it has become one of the landmark works of twentieth-century thought. This new translation the first for over fifty years makes this classic work of philosophy available to a new generation of readers. Phenomenology of Perception stands in the great phenomenological tradition of Husserl Heidegger and Sartre. Yet Merleau-Pontyâs contribution is decisive as he brings this tradition and other philosophical predecessors particularly Descartes and Kant to confront a neglected dimension of our experience: the lived body and the phenomenal world. Charting a bold course between the reductionism of science on the one hand and intellectualism on the other Merleau-Ponty argues that we should regard the body not as a mere biological or physical unit but as the body which structures oneâs situation and experience within the world. Merleau-Ponty enriches his classic work with engaging studies of famous cases in the history of psychology and neurology as well as phenomena that continue to draw our attention such as phantom limb syndrome synaesthesia and hallucination. This new translation includes many helpful features such as the reintroduction of Merleau-Pontyâs discursive Table of Contents as subtitles into the body of the text a comprehensive Translatorâs Introduction to its main themes essential notes explaining key terms of translation an extensive Index and an important updating of Merleau-Pontyâs references to now available English translations. Also included is a new foreword by Taylor Carman and an introduction to Merleau-Ponty by Claude Lefort. Translated by Donald A. Landes. . Language: English