Being and Nothingness
Revisit one of the most important pillars in modern philosophy with this new English translation—the first in more than 60 years—of Jean-Paul Sartre’s seminal treatise on existentialism. “This is a philosophy to be reckoned with, both for its own intrinsic power and as a profound symptom of our time” (The New York Times).
In 1943, Jean-Paul Sartre published his masterpiece, Being and Nothingness, and laid the foundation of his legacy as one of the greatest twentieth century philosophers. A brilliant and radical account of the human condition, Being and Nothingness explores what gives our lives significance.
In a new and more accessible translation, this foundational text argues that we alone create our values and our existence is characterized by freedom and the inescapability of choice. Far from being an internal, passive container for our thoughts and experiences, human consciousness is constantly projecting itself into the outside world and imbuing it with meaning.
Now with a new foreword by Harvard professor of philosophy Richard Moran, this clear-eyed translation guarantees that the groundbreaking ideas that Sartre introduced in this resonant work will continue to inspire for generations to come.
In 1943, Jean-Paul Sartre published his masterpiece, Being and Nothingness, and laid the foundation of his legacy as one of the greatest twentieth century philosophers. A brilliant and radical account of the human condition, Being and Nothingness explores what gives our lives significance.
In a new and more accessible translation, this foundational text argues that we alone create our values and our existence is characterized by freedom and the inescapability of choice. Far from being an internal, passive container for our thoughts and experiences, human consciousness is constantly projecting itself into the outside world and imbuing it with meaning.
Now with a new foreword by Harvard professor of philosophy Richard Moran, this clear-eyed translation guarantees that the groundbreaking ideas that Sartre introduced in this resonant work will continue to inspire for generations to come.
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Community Reviews
Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre is a monumental work in existentialist philosophy, exploring the nature of human existence, freedom, and identity. Sartre examines the concept of "being" and how individuals experience their existence through consciousness, which he describes as "nothingness" because it is always self-aware and never fixed. The book delves into the idea of human freedom, emphasizing that we are condemned to be free and must take full responsibility for our actions. Sartre also introduces the notion of "bad faith," where individuals deceive themselves to escape the anxiety of absolute freedom. With its dense, analytical approach, *Being and Nothingness* challenges readers to confront the complexities of existence, self-identity, and the moral responsibility that comes with freedom, making it an essential text for understanding existentialism.
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