Existentialism is a Humanism

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Paolo In my edition, the first 20 pages were an introduction and the last 23 pages contain a discussion between Sartre and some of the questioners that chal…moreIn my edition, the first 20 pages were an introduction and the last 23 pages contain a discussion between Sartre and some of the questioners that challenged some points in Sartre's exposition. The actual content of Existentialism & Humanism (Sartre's lecture) spanned some 45 pages in relatively large print. So it could be that you have read an excerpt, or maybe the print in your edition was small enough to reduce 45 pages to 28.(less)
Jeff The first use of that phrase is on p.20 of the edition that i'm reading:
"What [Christian and atheist existentialists] have in common is simply their b…more
The first use of that phrase is on p.20 of the edition that i'm reading:
"What [Christian and atheist existentialists] have in common is simply their belief that existence precedes essence; or, if you prefer, that subjectivity must be our point of departure."

(Yale University Press, copyright 2007; translation by Carol Macomber)(less)
Hippie Shawn Man cannot will the freedom of others because not all others believe that they can will what they want. A man can only try so hard to explain and pass…moreMan cannot will the freedom of others because not all others believe that they can will what they want. A man can only try so hard to explain and pass on the word, but if people want to live in bad faith and not want to have to be responsible for their actions, then people will not embrace their freedom. People who believe that life does have a preordained meaning and believe that we already have an essence will not have to worry about these types of issues and concerns; they just ride the wave. After all, as beings that exist, we each have our own subjective reality and the way of experiencing things, so naturally, not everyone will fallow the same path or be deemed as a truth from another viewpoint.

If you continue reading further, Sartre basically explains what he means. It is right after what you quoted:

"Thus, in the name of that will to freedom which is implied in freedom itself, I can form judgments upon those who seek to hide from themselves the wholly voluntary nature of their existence and its complete freedom. Those who hide from this total freedom, in a guise of solemnity or with deterministic excuses, I shall call cowards. Others, who try to show that their existence is necessary, when it is merely an accident of the appearance of the human race on earth – I shall call scum. But neither cowards nor scum can be identified except upon the plane of strict authenticity."

Be true to yourself without caving in from other pressures and "norms". (less)
Low amount of books read Nausea: Long story
This book: No story, short philosophy essay that explains Existentialism…more
Nausea: Long story
This book: No story, short philosophy essay that explains Existentialism(less)

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