Jean-Paul Sartre Existentialism Malinda, Garrett, Courtney, Tehya, Taylor

Biographical Info June 21, 1905 In Paris, France Became interested in philosophy after reading the essay “ Time and Free Will” by Henri Bergson. Earned a doctorate in philosophy in Paris at the École Normale Supérieure Teaching position at Lycé outside of Paris

Spiritual History and POV Jean-Paul Sartre was a french novelist known for his development and defense of atheistic existential philosophy. Sartre believed that we were “tossed into life with no apparent meaning or purpose but what we might be able to create for ourselves.” He always had religious beliefs and expressed them through out some of his novels using religious imagery and language, referring to religion as a positive light. He did not believe it so much as an intellectual idea but more of an emotional commitment, not believing in a God or Gods and rejected them as a need for human existence. But still claimed that “religious beliefs remain with him.”. He believed that we created religion for ourselves to prevent anxiety and fear. Because without God, life and humanity has no external meaning, and that God provides us with those absolute values and meanings.

Existential POV ●He had ideas about being fundamentally free, and having the choice to become free. ●He realized that things are much more than you actually think. It’s not basic anymore; it’s strange. ●By striping prejudices of our daily routines things have more freedom. ●Don’t live in “bad faith.” Don’t think you have to be something or live somewhere, or be with someone. ●Break free of capitalism. Money is a cage and makes you shut down the possibilities. ●His philosophy is about selflessness, selfless to the point that is denies human nature. ●

Who Influenced Sartre? Karl Marx Sartre ascribed to what is best termed neo-Marxism. This is one of the reasons why he criticized the French Communists: He claimed that they acted in "bad faith," adhered to policies in which they did not believe, expressed a lack of honesty, used tricks and opportunism, and lacked critical perception in all their dealings with the membership. Immanuel Kant “Our responsibility is thus much greater than we had supposed, for it concerns mankind as a whole.” ~ Satre This quote mirrors Kant’s idea that when making a decision, we should imagine making a universal law for all of mankind. Although he followed the ideals of many philosophers, he often criticized and attempted to disprove the same people’s ideas. paul-sartre-sartre-and-kant-on-ethics/ orks/critic/sartre1.htm

Sartre’s Ethical View Sartre believed that everyone had a role in society. He says that man first exists, encounters himself, moves up in the world, and then defines himself. Sartre then later moved closer and closer to a more Marxist view of society. He believed that human society affected certain boundaries on humanity. Sartre never joined the communist party because he disagreed with many issues.