JeanPaul Sartre, Existentialism Quotes

A collection of quotes by JeanPaul Sartre, Existentialism .

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was a French philosopher, playwright, and novelist known as a key figure in the development of existentialism, a philosophical movement emphasizing individual freedom and responsibility. Born in Paris, Sartre was raised by his mother and grandfather after his father's death when he was only fifteen months old.

Sartre excelled in academics and went on to study philosophy at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he befriended Simone de Beauvoir, who would later become his lifelong partner and influential intellectual collaborator. Throughout his career, Sartre's writings explored diverse subjects, spanning philosophy (Being and Nothingness), literature (Nausea and No Exit), and political activism.

Drawing from phenomenology and Friedrich Nietzsche's ideas, Sartre focused on the individual's confrontation with existential questions such as freedom, authenticity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly absurd world. His concept of "existence precedes essence" argued that human beings create their own essence through their actions and choices, emphasizing personal responsibility.

Sartre played a significant role in 20th-century French intellectual life, co-founding the journal Les Temps modernes and engaging in political activism. His Marxist leanings influenced his perception of the social role and responsibility of intellectuals and led him to participate in various political causes, most notably his activism against the Vietnam War.

Jean-Paul Sartre remains admired for his contributions to philosophy, literature, and political thought. His name is intrinsically linked to existentialism, a philosophy that continues to inspire academic discourse and evoke an appreciation for the individual's agency and autonomy in shaping their own existence.