The Cambridge Companion to Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir was a philosopher and writer of notable range and influence whose work is central to feminist theory, French existentialism, and contemporary moral and social philosophy. The essays in this volume examine all the major aspects of her thought, including her views on issues such as the role of biology, sexuality and sexual difference, and evil, the influence on her work of Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Husserl, and others, and the philosophical significance of her memoirs and fiction. New readers and nonspecialists will find this the most convenient and accessible guide to Beauvoir currently available. Advanced students and specialists will find a conspectus of recent developments in the interpretation of Beauvoir.

• A convenient and accessible guide to Simone de Beauvoir • Essays examine all the major aspects of her thought • An international team of contributors - philosophers from Australia, Continental Europe, Britain, Canada, and the US

Introduction Claudia Card; 1. Beauvoir’s place in philosophical thought Barbara S. Andrew; 2. Reading Simone de Beauvoir with Martin Heidegger Eva Gothlin; 3. The body as instrument and as expression Sara Heinämaa; 4. Beauvoir and Merleau-Ponty on ambiguity Monika Langer; 5. Bergson’s influence on Beauvoir’s philosophical methodology Margaret A. Simons; 6. Philosophy in Beauvoir’s fiction Mary Sirridge; 7. Complicity and slavery in The Second Sex Susan James; 8. Beauvoir on Sade: making sexuality into an ethic Judith Butler; 9. Beauvoir and feminism: interview and reflections Susan J. Brison; 10. Life-story in Beauvoir’s memoirs Miranda Fricker; 11. Beauvoir on the ambiguity of evil Robin May Schott; 12. (Re)counting the sexual difference Debra B. Bergoffen; 13. Beauvoir and biology: a second look Moira Gatens; 14. Beauvoir’s old age Penelope Deutscher.

‘The Cambridge Companion to Simone de Beauvoir achieves its goal of providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of Beauvoir scholarship in philosophy. The emphasis on the ethical aspects, as opposed to the political, has been long overdue and this collection of essays provides a satisfying redress.’ – Philosophical Writings

‘… 14 incisive and complementary chapters on her life and work ¬ This is a timely and well-focused companion, avoiding critical extremes, and offering a useful bibliography to sources for students, teachers, and those in charge of collections in academic libraries.’ – Reference Reviews

‘The Companions are designed for general readers and specialists alike and have acquired a reputation for combining broad, instructive overviews with incisive and original commentaries. In this respect, The Cambridge Companion to Simone de Beauvoir is a model of its kind.’  –Cercles