Phenomenology of Anxiety

This book explores new perspectives on the complex relation between anxiety, fear, and trauma with reference to different disciplines, from art history to cultural anthropology, from psychology to theology, from literature to political philosophy. It presents a deep philosophical inquiry into the affective phenomenon that can both protect us from danger and be a danger in itself and explores the relevance of anxiety in the context of philosophical anthropology. The analysis presented in the volume shows how an alteration of the dimensions of embodiment, time-consciousness, and phantasy takes place in anxiety and elaborates on new categories for understanding it, such as quasi-intentional imaginative anticipation. The work culminates in a phenomenological analysis of five essential traits of anxiety: its quasi-intentional imaginative anticipation, its negative inspiration, the recurrence of bodily manifestations, the interlocution with an alien power, and its negative teleology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate realm of anxiety, offering a phenomenological perspective that builds upon Bakhtin's insights. Through the development of "phenomenological polyphony," the author aims to capture the inherent ambiguity of anxiety, employing the voices of influential thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Husserl, Freud, Blumenberg, Heidegger, Sartre, Adorno, Derrida, and Levinas. The book explores fresh perspectives on the intricate relationship between anxiety, fear, and trauma, drawing from diverse disciplines such as art history, cultural anthropology, psychology, theology, literature, and political philosophy. It raises crucial questions about when anxiety is justified, when it ceases to serve as a helpful warning against imminent threats, and when it becomes an invasive projection of our own fears and ghosts.

In undertaking this philosophical inquiry, the author delves into the multifaceted nature of anxiety, examining how it can both safeguard us from harm and pose a threat to our well-being. Moreover, the book explores the relevance of anxiety within the realm of philosophical anthropology, highlighting the distinction between anxiety and fear as a defining characteristic of human beings. The analysis presented in this volume reveals how anxiety involves a transformation in the dimensions of embodiment, time-consciousness, and phantasy. Furthermore, the author introduces new categories for understanding anxiety, such as quasi-intentional imaginative anticipation, which challenges the traditional differentiation between perception and imagination.

The culmination of this work is a phenomenological analysis of five essential traits of anxiety: its quasi-intentional nature, its relation to the future, its temporal dimension, its relational aspect, and its ethical implications. By exploring these traits, the author provides a rich and nuanced understanding of anxiety as an emotional and philosophical phenomenon. This volume is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and individuals interested in exploring the complexities of anxiety and its impact on human experience.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030890179
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022