What is Existentialism? | Jean Paul Sartre Existentialism is a Humanism

For those looking to start reading non-fiction existentialist philosophy, Jean-Paul Sartre’s lecture, “Existentialism is a Humanism,” is a great place to start. In this short and accessible text, Sartre outlines some of the basic principles of existentialism while defending it against accusations of “quietism and despair.”

One prominent principle of existentialism is that existence precedes essence. Some philosophies and many religions ascribe an essence to a human being with a specific purpose in mind. This is similar to a manufacturer determining the purpose of a hammer before creating that hammer. For humans, however, Sartre believes that there is no essence that precedes the existence of humans. Humans are thrown into this world without an essence and create their essence through the great responsibility of choice.

Another point of the essay is to clarify that existentialism posits that humans not only choose for themselves but choose for others through that choice. This clarification defends against the critiques of quietism laid against this philosophy.
#philosophy #existentialism #sartre
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Пікірлер: 31

  • @Over-Boy42
    @Over-Boy422 ай бұрын

    This lecture is so magnificent that it is both a good introduction and still worth studying on a advanced level.

  • @Steph88553
    @Steph885532 жыл бұрын

    Hey dude it's my first video I watched on this channel, just wanted to say your content is really great and informative your channel will blow up in the algorithim one day.Keep up the great content :]

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, appreciate it!

  • @doorbella1357
    @doorbella13579 ай бұрын

    This was one of the best philosophy vids I've seen so far. Keep going!

  • @gazrater1820
    @gazrater18202 жыл бұрын

    A good book and worth the hour or two in my humble opinion even if Sartre isn’t your favourite existentialist. Great work Paul, thank you.

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Definitely a valuable book for those new to existentialism.

  • @philosophemes
    @philosophemes4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for putting this together! Heidegger's Letter on Humanism is, of course, a response to Sartre. Heidegger thought Sartre's "existentialism" was not very good. My What Is Existentialism? book explains what I think is still salvageable from Sartre. Cheers!

  • @sonicrevic4928
    @sonicrevic49282 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoy your videos. Your channel should be way bigger.

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, appreciate the compliment

  • @jthewei
    @jthewei2 жыл бұрын

    relatable beginning

  • @olv4703
    @olv47032 жыл бұрын

    Great as always!

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @realjamiegardiner
    @realjamiegardiner2 жыл бұрын

    Loving the new graphics 👌

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Jamie!

  • @franciscocorrea5052
    @franciscocorrea5052 Жыл бұрын

    Will read it Paul, promise. :)

  • @PhilPhysics
    @PhilPhysics2 жыл бұрын

    There is a readers guide by Joseph Catalano for Being and Nothingness that really explains Sartre's calculus in a clear way.

  • @PhilPhysics

    @PhilPhysics

    2 жыл бұрын

    Also see Nietzsche, Genealogy, Second Essay, RE: 6:45.

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I'll check it out if I ever decide to tackle that behemoth

  • @PhilPhysics

    @PhilPhysics

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@PhilosophyToons to be specific, sections 1-4ish talks of this "responsibility" you spoke of.

  • @PhilPhysics
    @PhilPhysics2 жыл бұрын

    Bahahahaha lolololol awesome that THAT text worked. XD

  • @maxlancaster6685
    @maxlancaster6685 Жыл бұрын

    love the videos, I'm curious though. Do you use subliminal messages in your videos

  • @Jacob-yb3hz
    @Jacob-yb3hz2 жыл бұрын

    "Less than 40 pages" *puts a symbol of greater than 40 pages* What

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Lol that's my error

  • @lobomarin5459
    @lobomarin54592 жыл бұрын

    I've bought existencial is a humanism so many times but I always end up giving it away

  • @PhilosophyToons

    @PhilosophyToons

    2 жыл бұрын

    Should be online for free I think

  • @lobomarin5459

    @lobomarin5459

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@PhilosophyToons oh it is bro, still want my hard copy tho lol

  • @gookimomor2460
    @gookimomor2460 Жыл бұрын

    at what point does the video start to explain existentialism ? I got tired of waiting at 2:07

  • @jayyyen
    @jayyyen2 жыл бұрын

    Tandoori Chicken

  • @lobomarin5459
    @lobomarin54592 жыл бұрын

    First lol

  • @Kryt0n2X4B
    @Kryt0n2X4B6 ай бұрын

    8min and first 2 have nothing to do with the book. extremely annoying

  • @ArthurIAHamm

    @ArthurIAHamm

    5 ай бұрын

    Go watch his video of perspectivism