Jean-Paul Sartre
1905–1980 · French
About Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre, the father of existentialism, argued that existence precedes essence — that humans are not born with a predetermined purpose but must forge one through choices and action. In Being and Nothingness and his public lectures, Sartre insisted that we are 'condemned to be free,' bearing total responsibility for who we become. His philosophy strips away comforting illusions and places the burden of meaning squarely on the individual, making him one of the most challenging and liberating thinkers of the twentieth century.
Quotes by Jean-Paul Sartre
"Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does."
"Existence precedes essence."
"Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal."
"Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you."
"We are our choices."