Summary

In post-war Paris, Jean-Paul Sartre delivered a lecture titled "Existentialism Is a Humanism," defending his philosophy against accusations of promoting quietism and despair. He argued that existentialism is a doctrine of action, emphasizing individual freedom and responsibility. Sartre explained that existence precedes essence, meaning humans are born without a predetermined nature and define themselves through their choices. He stressed that in choosing for oneself, one chooses for all humanity, highlighting the profound responsibility inherent in existentialist freedom. Sartre distinguished his atheistic existentialism from Christian existentialism, noting the absence of a God to define values. He argued that this "abandonment" leads to anguish but also empowers individuals to create their own meaning and morality.

Sartre addressed the concept of despair, explaining it as a recognition of the limits of one's will and the probabilities that enable action. He emphasized the importance of commitment and action, rejecting quietism as the attitude of those who believe others can do what they cannot. Sartre discussed the concept of subjectivity, explaining that while the individual's subjective experience is the starting point, it also reveals the existence of others. He argued for the existence of a universal human condition, despite the absence of a fixed human nature, based on shared limitations like birth, work, social existence, and death. He explored the universality of individual projects, suggesting that despite diverse goals, all human endeavors can be understood across cultures as attempts to surpass limitations.

Sartre countered criticisms of existentialism, arguing that its focus is not on the negative aspects of humanity but on the freedom to choose and create. He acknowledged the absence of pre-defined values in an atheistic worldview but emphasized that this freedom to invent values necessitates a commitment to freedom itself. He differentiated his concept of freedom from caprice, noting that while choice is arbitrary, it is not without responsibility. He compared moral choice to creating a work of art, where values are reflected in the coherence of the finished work.

The book also includes "A Commentary on The Stranger," Sartre's analysis of Albert Camus's novel. Sartre explores the concept of the absurd as portrayed in Camus's work, describing it as both a factual state and a lucid awareness of that state. He analyzes Camus's writing style, noting the use of short, isolated sentences and the present perfect tense to convey the sense of disconnectedness and the succession of present moments. Sartre places Camus within the French literary tradition, comparing his style to Hemingway and his themes to those of classical pessimists like Pascal. He discusses the ambiguity of Meursault, the protagonist of The Stranger, and the challenges of categorizing Camus's novel within traditional literary genres.

Sartre delves into Camus's narrative technique in The Stranger, describing the use of a transparent consciousness that records facts without meaning, creating a sense of unease and highlighting the discrepancy between reality and its rational reconstruction. He examines the analytical and humorous aspects of Camus's style, comparing it to the techniques of Voltaire and Swift. He also discusses the "obsession with silence" in contemporary literature, noting Camus's attempt to convey the unthinkable and disorderly succession of present moments through words. Sartre concludes by reflecting on the novel's structure and its status as a classical work, composed about, and against, the absurd.