Existentialism is a Humanism (L'existentialisme est un humanisme) is a 1946 philosophical work by Jean-Paul Sartre. It is seen by many as one of the defining texts in the Existentialist movement.
In his text, Sartre says that the key defining point of Existentialism is that the existence of a person comes chronologically before his or her essence. In simple terms, this means that, although that person exists, there is nothing to dictate that person's character, goals in life, and so on. Only the person themselves can define their essence:
- Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world - and defines himself afterwards.
Thus, Sartre is rejecting what he calls "deterministic excuses", and claiming that all people must take responsibility for their behaviour.
The essay has been criticized by some for giving only a superficial overview of the themes of existentialism, and Sartre himself has called its undeveloped morality an "error".
"Existentialism is a Humanism" was also the title of a lecture he gave to a packed audience at Club Maintenant in Paris, on October 29th, 1945. The book is based on the lecture.
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Further reading
- Jean-Paul Sartre L'existentialisme est un humanisme Editions Nagel, Paris ISBN 2070329135
- Jean-Paul Sartre (tr. Philip Mairet) Existentialism and Humanism Methuen ISBN 041331300X
