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الوجودية منزع إنساني

Jean-Paul Sartre,

جان بول سارتر,

محمد نجيب عبد المولى (Translator),

زهير المدنيني (Translator)

3.98 · Rating details · 25,377 ratings · 1,110 reviews

نقدم لكم هذا الكتاب في ترجمة جديدة و متميزة ساعين إلى أن نسهم في تعريف القارئ باللسان العربي بهذه الفلسفة و رمزها.
تربط الوجودية لدى سارتر بصورة خاصة بين الحرية و الاخيار و المسؤولية ربطا يجعل تلك المعاني الثلاث كنه الوجود الإنساني أينما كان و أصلا من أصوله.
لقد تعرضت فكرة الوجودية للكثير من إساءة الفهم,وفي هذا الكتاب يوضح سارتر أفكار الوجودية التي تعلي من شأن الإرادة الإنسا ...more

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Paperback, الأولى, 117 pages

Published 2012 by دار محمد علي للنشر و دار التنوير (first published 1946)

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Nov 20, 2013 Florencia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Sartre fans, Sartre detractors, philosophy lovers

Shelves: philosophyland, french, non-fiction

Man is nothing other than what he makes of himself.
— Jean-Paul Sartre

If you're interested in Existentialism, this is the book you should dive into. You will find an energetic Sartre defending his views on many subjects. I was immediately drawn to one opinion in particular: existentialism emphasizes what is despicable about the world. I have read that before. Most people apparently want to read about beauty and bliss and puppies and all those things that are part of one side of our reality. Deny ...more

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Apr 28, 2008 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, non-fiction, articles, french, 20th-century, literature

L'Existentialisme est un Humanisme = Existentialism Is a Humanism = Existentialism, by Jean-Paul Sartre

Existentialism Is a Humanism is a 1946 work by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, based on a lecture by the same name he gave at Club Maintenant in Paris, on 29 October 1945.

In early translations, Existentialism and Humanism was the title used in the United Kingdom; the work was originally published in the United States as Existentialism, and a later translation employs the original title.

The L'Existentialisme est un Humanisme = Existentialism Is a Humanism = Existentialism, by Jean-Paul Sartre

Existentialism Is a Humanism is a 1946 work by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, based on a lecture by the same name he gave at Club Maintenant in Paris, on 29 October 1945.

In early translations, Existentialism and Humanism was the title used in the United Kingdom; the work was originally published in the United States as Existentialism, and a later translation employs the original title.

The work, once influential and a popular starting-point in discussions of Existentialist thought, has been criticized by several philosophers. Sartre himself later rejected some of the views he expressed in it.

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: در ماه آگوست سال 1992میلادی

عنوان: اگزیستانسیالیسم و اصالت بشر؛ نویسنده: ژان پل سارتر؛ مترجم: مصطفی رحیمی؛ تهران، مروارید، 1354؛ در 109 ص؛ چاپ هشتم 1361؛ چاپ دهم 1380؛ شابک 9644480236؛ چاپ سیزدهم 1389؛ شابک: 978964480232؛ موضوع: اگزیستانسیالیسم از نویسندگان فرانسوی - سده 20م

سارتر میگویند: (آنچه در میان آدمیان تفاوت می‌پذیرد، «ضرورت در جهان بودن»، «در جهان کار کردن»، «در جهان در میان دیگران زیستن»، و در آن فانی شدن است، اینها هم جنبه ی عینی، و هم ذهنی دارند؛ از این نظر جنبه ی عینی دارند، که همه جا هستند، و در همه جا باز شناخته می‌شوند؛ از این لحاظ جنبه ی ذهنی دارند، که با بشر زنده‌ اند، و اگر بشر آن‌ها را زنده ندارد - یعنی در جهان وجود، رابطه ی خود را آزادانه نسبت به آن‌ها تعیین نکند - هیچ نیستند)؛ پایان نقل

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 08/08/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی ...more

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Jul 21, 2014 Rakhi Dalal rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Those interested in existenialism

Recommended to Rakhi by: Momina Masood

Shelves: philosophy, sartre, existentialism

Reading Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism has been as arduous as it has been stimulating, for while I did try to understand his philosophy, I could also acutely discern what challenged my understanding of his work.

To begin with Sartre explains Atheistic Existentialism. He says:

Atheistic existentialism, of which I am a representative, declares with greater consistency that if God does not exist there is at least one being whose existence comes before its essence, a being which exists before ...more

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Mar 08, 2010 Jasmine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: french

have you ever noticed that when you are at rock bottom nothing makes you feel better quite as much as Sartre telling you that if your life is screwed up it's your own damn fault.
...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Riku Sayuj rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, direct-phil, books-about-books, favorites, lit-crit, craved-but-feared, companions, pop-phil, sartre

Existentialism is an Essentialism

This is supposed to be the only one of his lectures that Sartre regretted seeing in print. This was primarily because it became accepted as a sort of manifesto piece and thus tended to reduce the original themes. Sartre repeatedly implies that he will not admit to this essay/lecture being considered as an introduction to his philosophy. Again, this is because treating an 'explanation' as an essential component (or worse a summary) of his complex system of philoso ...more

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Mar 30, 2015 Seemita rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philo, non-fiction, nobel-laureates

[Please note that the reviewer is a new entrant in the school of existentialism and is attempting to grasp the building blocks. Hence, her inferences can be basic and occasionally, vague too. Those who have spent considerable time in this school can choose to overlook this little account if so deemed fit (although I would love to have them here to elevate my understanding level). For the more tolerant and sagaciously curious, I will go about my way.]

Essentially, “Existentialism Is a Humanism” is ...more

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Apr 07, 2014 Dolors rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Those not afraid to question themselves

Recommended to Dolors by: Florencia

Shelves: read-in-2014

“Existentialism Is a Humanism” is the result of a transcribed lecture Sartre delivered in 1945 responding to several critiques to existentialist theories. Communist detractors accused Existentialism of being a contemplative and bourgeois philosophy that led to quietism while Catholics condemned it for emphasizing what was despicable about humanity, which induced to a hopeless and pessimistic notion of human nature.
Sartre presents his defense dissecting the concept of Existentialism in a very “Existentialism Is a Humanism” is the result of a transcribed lecture Sartre delivered in 1945 responding to several critiques to existentialist theories. Communist detractors accused Existentialism of being a contemplative and bourgeois philosophy that led to quietism while Catholics condemned it for emphasizing what was despicable about humanity, which induced to a hopeless and pessimistic notion of human nature.
Sartre presents his defense dissecting the concept of Existentialism in a very didactic fashion, avoiding technical jargon or abstract content and using illustrative examples to make his points clear to reply one by one to all the attacks with a well argued discourse in spite of the ongoing contradictions he was struggling with at the time.

He proclaims: “Man is nothing other than his own project. He exists only to the extent that he realizes himself, therefore he is nothing more than the sum of his actions…responsible for what he is… free… condemned to be free… committing himself to life.”

According to Sartre, the leitmotif existence precedes essence denotes the often misunderstood optimism of the existentialist doctrine, for it places the responsibility of “being” upon mankind, stressing the impossibility of a predefined “human nature” a priori and therefore allowing man to be nothing other than what he makes of himself. Man materializes in the world through his own actions but at the same time he is overburdened with his choices because he commits not only himself but all of humanity.
Sentiments of “anguish”, “abandonment” and “despair” might ensue. “Anguish” appears when the individual realizes the profound responsibility and the consequence of his actions on a collective level. Sartre quotes Dostoevsky’s words “If God does not exist, everything is permissible” to address the concept of abandonment. As there is no human nature or moral values to ascribe to a priori, man is condemned to freedom because once cast into the world he is responsible for everything he does without having any values or code of ethics that can legitimate his conduct. Consequently, he is “abandoned” in his present to create a virgin future defined only through his own actions. As the realm of possibilities yet to be transformed into realities and the intersubjectivity of man’s existence can’t be controlled, they can generate hope, expectations and dreams which eventually end up in “despair” and disappointment.

In analyzing the cornerstones of Existentialism, Sartre stresses the underlying contradictions in the accusations of its detractors pointing out that a philosophy based on action can’t be accused of quietism the same way that an unequivocal declaration of man as the only actor to dictate his own destiny can’t be labeled as a pessimistic view on existence, rather the opposite.

This short essay is a very accessible introduction to Sartre because it is addressed to the general public making use of an instructive tone and a simple yet eloquent language, very appropriate for neophytes on Existentialism like myself.
Although I can’t proclaim I fully comprehend the intricate web of reasoning behind Sartre’s viewpoint, the proposition of “freedom” as the foundation of all value, the transcendental belief that true essence lies in man discovering himself and the idea of a morality based on human beings taking responsibility of their own actions resonate within me.
At the same time I find comfort in recalling Whitman’s saying “I am large, I contain multitudes”, so I don’t even bat an eye when my quixotic self rebels against a doctrine which discards ideals and dreams for not being based on real foundations or when the romantic in me cringes at art being defined as a mere aesthetic invention in continuous progress instead of the passionate expression of an artist’s understanding of the world.
I have to keep reminding myself that Sartre’s world was falling apart in 1945 when he declared his critical defiance against all forms of authority in freeing himself from the weight of history and in urging a new generation to ponder and to reject dogma. I am made myself of many doubts and just one certainty: "the only way to learn is to question”. And that is precisely what I aim to do. Keep questioning.
...more

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Aug 19, 2017 Steven Godin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: existentialism, france, non-fiction, philosophy, essays

In this short book Sartre provides a clear overview of the varying aspects of existentialism, clarifying each while refuting arguments against the philosophy throughout, which leaves us with a well rounded understanding of the tenets of the philosophy. It's more educational that it is enjoyable, but then one doesn't read Sartre for the thrill of it. He composes his theory, shrinks it down from the massive and better in-depth Being and Nothingness really, so it's not a bad place to start for the ...more

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Jun 30, 2015 Elham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: france, sartre, essay

My first exposure to Existentialism is a Humanism was in our faculty book fair when I was the second year student of engineering. I bought this book and another book Hajj written by Ali Shariati. I was totally a blockhead. I knew almost nothing about literature, philosophy, theology, God and whatever else which wasn't science. All I knew was that I was a Muslim, growing up in a religious family and society, but I always wished to choose my beliefs by myself, I mean I wish to have some well thoug My first exposure to Existentialism is a Humanism was in our faculty book fair when I was the second year student of engineering. I bought this book and another book Hajj written by Ali Shariati. I was totally a blockhead. I knew almost nothing about literature, philosophy, theology, God and whatever else which wasn't science. All I knew was that I was a Muslim, growing up in a religious family and society, but I always wished to choose my beliefs by myself, I mean I wish to have some well thought and examined ideas based on good books that I needed to read. The very first step for a journey of self discovery was to find someone to help me understand at least from which way I had to start. I needed a motive force; an initial velocity or initial condition. But actually the most difficult part was that. To read an atheistic philosophy or a religious book in order to reinforce the basis of your beliefs. The latter was the one that I used to hear from people around myself. You should first read books about your own religion then read other kind of philosophies in order to critic them by your own reasons. Obviously, that way wasn't correct. If my religious thoughts were correct they shouldn't be changed after reading other kind of books. And now that I think about it, my situation was just like the man in that example of Sartre in this book who wasn't sure about which way he had to choose. And Sartre's suggestion was: "You are free, so choose; in other words, invent. No general code of ethics can tell you what you ought to do; there are no signs in the world". Even, I was free in choosing my guidance. Reading Existentialism is a Humanism or Hajj?! That was the question. It was not actually that simple. For a long time I felt I was a suspended particle, with no special orientation. A point in the Cartesian system with no coordinates with a very random and accidental motion.

I chose Sartre.

I chose him not that I knew him or the impression of a friend or someone else encouraged me to read him. All I knew about him was that he was a great philosopher of 20th century. His philosophy affected many things in many countries and my own region of world was not an exception. I needed to feel that I was "Free" . My friends kept saying "Do not engage yourself with Sartre, it will plunge you into despair." Indeed it did. It was officially the first time in my life that I was reading a book saying there was no need to consider God in life, it was extremely different from what we had "proudly" been taught at schools.

Existentialism is a Humanism was indeed among one of top ten books which change my life. A new window. A new way of thinking. A new way of living.

This is the third time that I read it and if I get any time I will read it again. Not that this is too difficult to understand, I think this book needs a general background of philosophy. Surely, I now understand it better that 8 years ago, but still I can't totally connect all the parts and come to one conclusion, for instance I do not know anything about phenomenology, materialism or philosophy of Marx.

The first part of the book is a speech about Existentialism, then two Q&As that the first one still very philosophical and the second one is more about Sartre himself in his 70.

I have already highlighted every sentence of this book. I think this is a precise explanation of Existentialism, a good start in order to read his other work "Being and Nothingness". ...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Chris Shank rated it liked it · review of another edition

I have been interested in reading something by Sartre for some time, but was unwilling to waste my time with a meandering, depressing novel like Nausea (which I still might read one day); or a dry, 700-page tome (tomb!) like Being And Nothingness. To be honest, Nothingness seems hardly worth my time. It hardly seems worth anyone’s time.

THAT’S why I started this little jewel. This book was a lecture that Sartre gave in defense of existentialism to his non-philosopher auditors. He was attempting t I have been interested in reading something by Sartre for some time, but was unwilling to waste my time with a meandering, depressing novel like Nausea (which I still might read one day); or a dry, 700-page tome (tomb!) like Being And Nothingness. To be honest, Nothingness seems hardly worth my time. It hardly seems worth anyone’s time.

THAT’S why I started this little jewel. This book was a lecture that Sartre gave in defense of existentialism to his non-philosopher auditors. He was attempting to market his views as humanistic’ in nature, or, benefiting humanity in some way. Sartre broke the logic down to bite-sized pieces for the laity, which I think is commendable because there’s a certain amount of risk involved with diluting your ideas so that they can be understood. Sartre made clear this struggle: “Many of the people that interview me are not qualified to do so. This leaves me with two alternatives: refuse to answer their questions, or agree to allow discussion to take place on a simplified level… [but] We must agree to popularize it on the condition that we don’t deform it.” In spite of its simplicity, there are some meatier parts for the initiated, and Sartre’s method and value for disseminating his ideas among the working class is intriguing in itself.

Sartre boiled down his ideas in the following propositions:
1. Existence precedes essence. Humans are ‘abandoned’, are ‘thrown’ into their situation by forces that are beyond their scope of understanding or control, and can only define themselves moment by moment. “Life is nothing until it is lived.”
2. Man is a situation. He cannot defined by his so-called destiny or pre-determined role.
3. Man is responsible. In every act (‘project’), humans are creating a new situation for themselves as individuals, which means a new situation for society with each act. I commit all of mankind with every new act.
4. Our situation breeds anguish: knowing I am responsible to determine my meaning, and to determine the meaning of mankind, that produces the ‘anguish’ of the burden that responsibility is, and the ‘despair’ of knowing we are abandoned to our own resources.
5. Absolute truth is available, but is subjectively seized by realizing that truth is not ‘out there’, but is here—the “absolute truth of consciousness confronting itself.”
6. Intersubjectivity: Subjectivity is not attained in a vacuum. A sense of individuality is developed, refined and reflected by community. “We each attain ourself in the presence of the other…The other is essential to my existence, as well as to the knowledge I have of myself.”

Included at the end of this handy volume of philosophical pabulum is an essay on Camus’ “The Stranger.” This was very illuminating. Besides fleshing out more of Sartre’s ideas, it provided a great explanation to Camus’ work, and—something I was delighted to discover—evidenced Sartre’s own bewilderment upon first reading the book. He traces the line of existentialism throughout the story, but also exposes Camus’ literary talent. I feel like I understand the book better than before, and I have a new appreciation for what Camus was trying to impress upon his audience.
...more

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Apr 30, 2014 Momina Masood rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, existentialism-absurdism

This is a very accessible introduction to Sartrean existentialism. Some of the most elementary and basic concepts of Sartre's system have been explained in an easy, approachable way. Basically, Katie Holmes in the super-awesome Batman Begins sums up Sartre's concerns in this book:

It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you.

Yeah, that's basically it. Existence precedes essence entails the negation of any universal concept or idea of "human nature", and that when we come int ...more

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Oct 06, 2013 Roy Lotz rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: footnotes-to-plato, francophilia

A friend of mine once said something that I found very insightful: “Western people are bad at navigating the difference between nihilism and despair.” I think this comment is right on the money. For example, in Schopenhauer’s hands, Hinduism and Buddhism are transformed into an extraordinarily pessimistic and tortured philosophy. This also reminds me of Sartre.

I am hesitant to judge Sartre’s philosophy from this book. For one, it’s so short. And besides, it’s a popularization. Nevertheless, I ...more

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Nov 03, 2019 Josh rated it liked it · review of another edition

An easy read and a good introduction to Sartre’s philosophy. Here we find many of the famous catch phrases of Sartre’s brand of thinking – “Existence precedes essence”, “Man is condemned to be free” etc.

I have numerous issues with Sartre’s claims and arguments here, although, I’m sure, that is probably down to a less technical exposition in the interest of popularisation. Perhaps the solutions to the problems I see are to be found in Being and Nothingness, which I will get around to reading at ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Alain Dib rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy

Existentialism is a humanism.
It was a very simple and quick read. It isn't particularly complicated and it is a must read if you would like to get into existentialism.
In fact, it's a conference Sartre gave to clarify what he means by the doctrine he names existentialism.
Existentialism is a philosophical concept which affirms that existence preceeds essence.
In short it means that man is what he makes of himself. Once he is part of the world he can be whatever he wants to be. Worse than that he ha ...more

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Oct 29, 2013 Abeer Abdullah rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, france

I have a very skinny knowledge of western philosophy, I might be able to name important schools of thoughts, but will probably give you a very confused and primitive definition of each of them, so I decided to try and change that.
the current meaning (or at at least my inference of the meaning via context) of the word 'existentialism' is something like contemplating your own existence. But Sartre's ideology is actually quite different, and much less pleasant (in my opinion anyway).
in this 40 pag I have a very skinny knowledge of western philosophy, I might be able to name important schools of thoughts, but will probably give you a very confused and primitive definition of each of them, so I decided to try and change that.
the current meaning (or at at least my inference of the meaning via context) of the word 'existentialism' is something like contemplating your own existence. But Sartre's ideology is actually quite different, and much less pleasant (in my opinion anyway).
in this 40 page lecture (excluding the questioner in the end and the pretty lengthy introduction) Sartre tries to accurately convey the concept of existentialism and correct common misconceptions and most importantly defend it against the numerous backlash it got. people viewed it as a very pessimistic and cruel view. and cruel it may be but pessimistic it is not. it's probably the exact opposite.
the existentialist sees no evidence of the existence of god, and no clear cut signs for morality, and no universal human guidance and says that man is free. free to chose, the existentialist views the absence of god as disappointing and embarrassing and finds him self without excuses or guidance, the existentialist believes that man is condemned to be free, with the whole weight of responsibility of his own actions, in face the existentialist believes that when one chooses something for himself he choses it for the whole of mankind, and therefor man is always in anguish over the perplexity and responsibility.
(I just found a note I wrote next to the line which I found most interesting and poetic "man is condemned to be free" my note said "this freedom refers to loss, the loss of boundaries and by boundaries I think what is meant is guidance and justification, and that's completely true")
and now I'm going to mention things that I did not like about this specific ideology:
-the existentialist believes that man is born with his existence preceding his essence, meaning there is no human nature and man makes what he makes of him self "there is no human nature because there is no god to have a conception of it" and regardless of wether or not you believe in god human nature is a result of years of evolution of inherited genetic codings that do make a huge difference in a person's actions and preferences.
- that if man belongs to a certain religion then "registration is my will for everyone, and my action is, in consequence a commitment on behalf of all mankind" or if he were to get married then he is "thereby committing not only myself, but humanity as a whole, to the practice of monogamy" and I think this sounds ridiculous to a lot of people mostly because we are not a race that is ever truly sure of the correctness of our choices for the exact same reason that he himself noted before, we dont have any guidance, not a universal one at least. but that does not mean that we do not have a human nature, but human nature only serves as instincts, a disposition and desires.
and this attitude assumes a certain certainty that no honest man has and should definitely not prevail upon others.
-man is nothing else but the sum of his actions and what his life is "man commits himself, draws his own portrait, and there is nothing else but that portrait" although I whole heartedly believe the whole of the human race would evolve immensely in every aspect if we all followed the ideology that we are nothing but the sum of our actions and that our actions effect the whole of mankind I just dont agree with most of this. this assumes that man only exists in relation to his community. and that his existence is only what he gives and what he is remembered by and that is not only a terrible thing to hear but is simply untrue. for one thing there is no concrete evidence that everyone could uphold that proves the specific importance of being remembered or contributing to your society. but the pursuit of joy and happiness and even momentary pleasure seems to be pretty universal. I really dont want to be a part of a human society that only exists to make and achieve more, that is probably an even more miserable one. man exists within himself and his experiences matter very much if only to himself but most importantly to him self, and I don't know, loving somebody is much more important (to me and to a lot of people and that is the point, understanding human variety) than drawing your portrait or the sum of your actions.
-another thing that seems to be implied, and I don't know if i misunderstood this, is the complete denial of the effect of heredity and life experiences (nature AND nurture, wow) on a person's actions and only cowards and 'self deceivers' take those as an excuse to not do something. and that the human will is everything.
well, I dont know, yes the human will could maybe overcome both nature and nurture, it has in the past, but it's just very unfair to completely dismiss someone's difficulties and equate them with someone perfectly gifted and privileged. people are complex, undeniable combinations of nature, nurture AND will power. and its unfair, ignorant, and cruel to assume that everyone has the same chances to preform a certain task.

lastly, existentialism is a very interesting and accomplished ideology that offers many great realistic and optimistic points, like this personal favorite "if, however, it means that whatever man may now appear to be, there is a future to be fashioned, a virgin future that awaits him---then it is a true saying. but in the present one is forsaken"
and some fairly noble pursuits that understands the humility of mankind and has pretty big hopes for it. but I think maybe it truly underestimated the great and undeniable power of feelings.
(skip to page 66 for relation between existentialism and humanism) ...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Andrew added it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, french-existentialists

I've been revisiting a lot of the writers I worshiped as an adolescent, Sartre among them... Sartre presents his case in Existentialism Is a Humanism with absolute clarity and purpose-- a major departure from Being and Nothingness. His main goal is to prove that existentialism is a humanism. On this front I suppose he succeeds.

But as far as building a case for why his existential perspective is a necessity, he starts to falter. I would most certainly agree that existence precedes essence. But fr ...more

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Jul 08, 2019 Golshan Tabatabaie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, nonfiction, existentialism

Existentialism is humanism because it reminds man that there is no legislator but himself; that he himself, thus abandoned, must decide for himself.

To put it briefly, Jean-Paul Satre explains existentialism better than anybody else. You think you know what it is and then you read his work and you'll get reminded of its other aspects and you fall for it even more!

Life is nothing until it is lived; but it is yours to make sense of, and the value of it is nothing else but the sense that you choo

...more

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Jul 28, 2014 Philippe Malzieu added it · review of another edition

It is the rosebud of sartre. A conference given in front of a hétérogenous people which he wants to seduce. An assembly very hype like at a seminars of Lacan.
There is a certain imposture has to associate humanism and existentialism. This last is naturally individualistic whereas the humanism is a collective project. Manages he to bring closer these two terms. I do not believe. And there is already this obsession to sermonizer. Sartre takes for example the german occupation and the choice of Res ...more

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May 21, 2018 Zarin Haider rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

After quite a long time I am giving a book 5 stars for Sartre's outstanding power of reasoning over and illustrating the various aspects of existentialism against the charges that have been brought against it. I am usually not the kind of person who always scribbles down the major points in her diary from the books she reads, but regarding this one, I had to.
(Nothing to say of the cover of the book, it perfectly suits.) ...more

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Oct 31, 2019 Linton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, own-paperback, existentialism

A good introduction to Sartre's type of existentialism. I almost entirely disagree with his perspective but it is interesting reading anyway. M.Naville's opening arguments in the 'discussion' section is worth a read too. ...more

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Aug 10, 2019 Xander rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This book is sold for (literally) 12 euro's on the internet, but is mostly stuffed with filler. The part which probably concerns readers most - Jean-Paul Sartre's defense of his existentialist philosophy against marxist, christian and humanist critics - spans only 35 pages. The introduction to this essay is almost half the length of Sartre's work, which itself is followed by a Q&A written down and Sartre's essay on Albert Camus' novel L'Étranger (1942). So unfortunately I can't really rate this ...more

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May 02, 2020 André rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, nonfiction, philosophy, audiobook

Jean-Paul Sartre's work succinctly highlights the Existentialist thought. The work, though being challenging, presents topics about the self, consciousness, freedom, and the nature of meaning.

The first part of the book addresses the main definition of existentialism. On that point, Sartre claims that "Existence precedes essence". This means that things first exist and, then, they are given a certain value. The value, through our consciousness, determines a specific meaning. Thus, the value of a Jean-Paul Sartre's work succinctly highlights the Existentialist thought. The work, though being challenging, presents topics about the self, consciousness, freedom, and the nature of meaning.

The first part of the book addresses the main definition of existentialism. On that point, Sartre claims that "Existence precedes essence". This means that things first exist and, then, they are given a certain value. The value, through our consciousness, determines a specific meaning. Thus, the value of a certain object must be created by the individual. For instance, a certain work of art has its intrinsic value according to society standards and the subjective level of an individual. However, in the artist's mind, that work of art was first crafted in his mind, but the final product was not yet conceived. For that reason, it was the artist's creativity that made it possible.
In contrast to that argument, linguistics can support that "Existence precedes essence" claim. In a way or another, languages have their systems, their sounds, and intonations. For instance, if a Spanish speaker (unaware of any other foreign language) hears a Korean orator, he won't be able to understand what the other person has to say. The Spanish speaker, as though aware of the existence of a language being spoken, has no idea WHAT language is being spoken and its real meaning (essence).

"Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself."
If "God is dead" and everything is permitted, everyone should take responsibility for their actions. However, in certain situations, our actions are driven by impulsive decisions that sometimes we can't control, at least at a consciousness level. In that case, that sense of responsibility can become a burden. If we are free (theologically speaking), we end up in a wider range of outcomes throughout our lives. For instance, most of us can make decisions. However, some actions are influenced by other means - such as peer-to-peer pressure, irrational decisions, impulsive conclusions, etc. Nonetheless, what about of those who are intellectually incapable of taking decisions on their own? Don't our surroundings indirectly influence our decisions, unconsciously? Life is an abundance of interconnected events that sometimes we can't predict...

Throughout the book, it's defined the concepts of anguish, despair, and abandonment. If there's no god, anguish makes responsibility much heavier. On the other hand, despair is related to an individual's actions and their impact on mankind. Also, abandonment, the most interesting concept of Sartre's narrative, says that since we are free (theologically speaking), we are abandoned in the universe. The lonely feeling of atheism can lead to a certain degree of neuroticism and nihilism. If there's no God, in certain individuals, the feeling of abandonment can be quite overwhelming from an existential perspective. Nonetheless, since most of us can give value to things, our existential purpose becomes personal, subjective, and singular. Thus, in metaphysical lenses, that singularity can also be quite inspiring and liberating.

Sartre's work proposes an interesting discussion regarding metaphysical problems, especially on Being and natural meaning. In my opinion, the metaphorical connotation of the word "Essence" delivers a powerful sense, a sense of personal significance, and value. Nevertheless, value and meaning might have different meanings to each one of us. ...more

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Sep 03, 2020 Dany rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“Certainly, many people think that in what they are doing they commit no one but themselves to anything: and if you ask them, “What would happen if everyone did so?” they shrug their shoulders and reply, “Everyone does not do so.” But in truth, one ought always to ask oneself what would happen if everyone did as one is doing; nor can one escape from that disturbing thought except by a kind of self-deception. The man who lies in self-excuse, by saying “Everyone will not do it” must be ill at ease ...more

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Jun 25, 2018 Ann He rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Once in a while I find a philosophical piece which manages to capture more eloquently and concretely thoughts I've had but haven't really examined.

Apparently this work is known as the "existentialist bible", and though far from being complete or even rigorously argued, I find this essay an accessible and straightforward presentation of several interesting ideas (taken out of context, albeit):

1. Art and morality have in common creation and invention. (Every individual project has universal value ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 Alan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, french

Broken down into two sections. The first section is the talk given by Sartre, where he describes existentialism in a sure-footed manner, referring to anguish, abandonment, and despair. But the book is worth reading for the second section, in which Sartre presents an analysis of Camus's The Stranger. His take on the novel is fascinating, and his analogies come in quite handy. This makes me want to revisit The Stranger in the near future. ...more

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Jun 22, 2015 LunaBel rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: s-b-philosophy

What I really liked about this work is that it stresses the importance possibilities. Sartre agrees with Heidegger's view which suggests that we are not born smart of cowards. We are not born successful or losers. It's rather the set of possibilities that we choose that define us. We are the product of an accumulation of possibilities that we favor over others. ...more

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Dec 03, 2016 Minh rated it liked it · review of another edition

Not sure how to feel about this. I enjoy reading Sartre's concept of atheistic existentialism, but once I move onto bad faith with all the jargon on facticity and transcendence, it's a little bit confusing. However, I definitely like his concept of man being condemned to be free, absence of a priori, and forlornness. ...more

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Aug 31, 2018 Andrea rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Anyone who wants to learn about existentialism should read this. After reading similar works, and having some previous knowledge of existential philosophy this book was great conclusion because it anwered most questions raised throughout the research.
The way Sartre writes is very critical and objective of his wprks and philosophy it self.

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Jul 26, 2013 Dhandayutha rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy

Existentialists are best known for using right ideas to come to wrong conclusions.This one is no exception.

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Jul 02, 2014 Thomas Strömquist rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-collection

A lecture and discussion probing deeper and explaining more of Sartre's philosophy. It's a short book, well worth the small effort. ...more

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About Jean-Paul Sartre

Jean-Paul Sartre

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Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre, normally known simply as Jean-Paul Sartre, was a French existentialist philosopher and pioneer, dramatist and screenwriter, novelist and critic. He was a leading figure in 20th century French philosophy.

He declined the award of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his work which, rich in ideas and filled with the spirit of freedom and the quest for truth, has ex ...more

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Quotes from الوجودية مذهب إنساني

“Il n'y a de réalité que dans l'action.

(There is no reality except in action.)” — 268 likes

“In life man commits himself and draws his own portrait, outside of which there is nothing. No doubt this thought may seem harsh to someone who has not made a success of his life. But on the other hand, it helps people to understand that reality alone counts, and that dreams, expectations and hopes only serve to define a man as a broken dream, aborted hopes, and futile expectations.” — 176 likes

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