If you've ever felt that life has no inherent meaning and that you are "condemned to be free," you're already vibing with Sartre. Here is an informative breakdown of his core ideas. 1. The Two Modes of Being
This is the heart of existentialism. For a manufactured object like a letter opener, the "essence" (its purpose) comes before its "existence" (the physical object). But for humans, we just exist first. There is no pre-written script or divine plan for who we are; we must create our own essence through every choice we make. 3. Radical Freedom and Anguish Being and Nothingness: An Essay on Phenomenolog...
First published in 1943 during the German occupation of France, Being and Nothingness: An Essay on Phenomenological Ontology remains one of the most influential pillars of modern philosophy. Known as "the Bible of existentialism," this 600+ page treatise explores the radical nature of human freedom and the weight of personal responsibility. If you've ever felt that life has no