Jean-Paul Sartre, the seminal smarty-pants of mid-century thinking, launched the existentialist fleet with the publication of Being and Nothingness in 1943. Though the book is thick, dense, and unfriendly to careless readers, it is indispensable to those interested in the philosophy of consciousness and free will. Some of his arguments are fallacious, others are unclear, but for the most part Sartre's thoughts penetrate deeply into fundamental philosophical territory. Basing his conception of self-consciousness loosely on Heidegger's "being," Sartre proceeds to sharply delineate between conscious actions ("for themselves") and unconscious ("in themselves"). It is a conscious choice, he claims, to live one's life "authentically" and in a unified fashion, or not--this is the fundamental freedom of our lives.

Drawing on history and his own rich imagination for examples, Sartre offers compelling supplements to his more formal arguments. The waiter who detaches himself from his job-role sticks in the reader's memory with greater tenacity than the lengthy discussion of inauthentic life and serves to bring the full force of the argument to life. Even if you're not an angst-addicted poet from North Beach, Being and Nothingness offers you a deep conversation with a brilliant mind--unfortunately, a rare find these days. --Rob Lightner


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A monumental work of the twentieth century, Being and Nothingness is the fullest expression of Jean-Paul Sartre's philosophy of existentialism. First published in 1943, this masterpiece still defines and expresses the modern condition, and holds great relevance for contemporary readers.

Existentialism rejects the Cartesian duality of mind and matter, as well as supernatural authority, and claims instead that "being" comes before "knowing," and that each individual creates his own nature. Each person must overcome angst and choose to act in a passionate and authentic manner. Morality and truth can only be discovered in conscious individual choice and action.