Being and Nothingness
Quick Summary
Being and Nothingness, published in 1943, is Jean-Paul Sartre's seminal philosophical work. In it, Sartre, a key figure in existentialism, contrasts human consciousness, termed the "For-itself" or nothingness, with the inert world of things, the "In-itself" or facticity.12
Sartre posits that "existence precedes essence," meaning humans are not born with a predetermined nature but define themselves through their choices and actions. This radical freedom, however, comes with immense responsibility. When individuals deny this freedom and act as if they are determined by external forces, they are engaging in "bad faith," a form of dishonesty with oneself. Ultimately, Sartre suggests that human reality is an unhappy consciousness, and humanity is a "useless passion".3245
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ethicsExistentialism…in his major philosophical treatise, Being and Nothingness (1943). Sartre held that there is no God, and therefore human beings were not designed for any particular purpose. The existentialists expressed this by stating that “existence precedes essence.” Thus, they made clear their rejection of the Aristotelian notion that one can…
Read More…in his major philosophical treatise, Being and Nothingness (1943). Sartre held that there is no God, and therefore human beings were not designed for any particular purpose. The existentialists expressed this by stating that “existence precedes essence.” Thus, they made clear their rejection of the Aristotelian notion that one can…
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existentialismEmergence as a movement…L’Être et le néant (1943; Being and Nothingness), that “the Other is the hidden death of my possibilities.” For other forms of existentialism, however, a coexistence that is not anonymous (as that of a mob) but grounded on personal communication is the condition of authentic existence.
Read More…L’Être et le néant (1943; Being and Nothingness), that “the Other is the hidden death of my possibilities.” For other forms of existentialism, however, a coexistence that is not anonymous (as that of a mob) but grounded on personal communication is the condition of authentic existence.
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continental philosophySartre…his first major philosophical work, Being and Nothingness, which immediately established his reputation as the leading representative of existential phenomenology, or existentialism, in France.
Read More…his first major philosophical work, Being and Nothingness, which immediately established his reputation as the leading representative of existential phenomenology, or existentialism, in France.
Read More- phenomenologyIn France
…L’Être et le néant (1943; Being and Nothingness), an essay on phenomenological ontology, it is obvious that Sartre borrowed from Heidegger. Some passages from Heidegger’s Was ist Metaphysik? (1929; What Is Metaphysics?), in fact, are copied literally. The meaning of nothingness, which Heidegger in this lecture made the theme of…
Read More…L’Être et le néant (1943; Being and Nothingness), an essay on phenomenological ontology, it is obvious that Sartre borrowed from Heidegger. Some passages from Heidegger’s Was ist Metaphysik? (1929; What Is Metaphysics?), in fact, are copied literally. The meaning of nothingness, which Heidegger in this lecture made the theme of…
Read More