The New Phenomenology: A Philosophical Introduction

A rich resource both as a lucid introduction and as a bold interpretation of the thought of Derrida, Levinas, Henry, Marion, and Chrétien as phenomenological “heretics” against the background of Husserl and Heidegger. Careful attention is given to their significance for both the philosophy of religion and the very idea of phenomenology itself. Specific suggestions are made for cross-fertilization between these “continental” thinkers and the “analytic” philosophy of religion, along with proposals for the significance of an essentially descriptive enterprise for normative questions of ethics, politics, and society. — Merold Westphal, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Fordham University Published On: 2013-01-31

Simmons and Benson offer us one of the first attempts to survey efforts in France since the early 1960s to break down the alleged barrier between phenomenology and theology. Of particular interest is a rare and welcome move, late in the book, to connect contemporary French philosophy of religion with work being done in the Anglo-American world. — Jeffrey Bloechl, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Boston College Published On: 2013-02-01

Benson and Simmons’ The New Phenomenology is a timely addition to current debates in philosophy as well as theology. The book aptly shows the origins and future possibilities of the thought of these new phenomenologists in an overview which spans some of the most compelling thinkers today. Benson and Simmons succeed in making this material highly accessible: all students of phenomenology will greatly benefit from this work. — Dr. Joeri Schrijvers, Faculty of Philosophy, KU Leuven, Belgium Published On: 2013-02-04

Bruce Ellis Benson is Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the University of Vienna, Austria. He is the Executive Director of the Society for Continental Philosophy and Theology, former co-chair of the Theology and Continental Philosophy Unit of the American Academy of Religion, and a member of the Board of Editorial Consultants for the journal Faith & Philosophy.