Existence and Nothingness

The publication of Being and Nothingness in 1943 heralded the birth of Sartre as a philosopher. He began to use his own independent ideas and philosophical terms to describe his understanding of the world: man is an existence for himself, with transcendental characteristics, he...

Of course, Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness is a classic in the history of philosophy, which is full of profound thinking and unique insights. The following are wonderful sentences or paragraphs selected from the book, each of which shines with wisdom in its own unique way. For ease of reading, I divide these sentences or paragraphs into three parts. Part I 1. "Existence precedes essence." - This is a famous slogan in Sartre's philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of people's free choice and action in defining their own essence. 2. "Man is thrown into existence by himself, and thrown into freedom by himself." - This sentence reveals the uniqueness of human existence, that is, we must face freedom and choose our own path. 3. "If we exist, we must exist to a certain extent, because existence cannot be half-existence." - Sartre emphasizes the absoluteness of existence here, challenging our traditional cognition of the real world. 4. "Nothingness is the negation of existence, but it does not mean that it is nothing." - This sentence expresses Sartre's profound understanding of nothingness. Nothingness is not simply non-existence, but a special form of existence. 5. "Human reality cannot escape this dilemma: either be a person of action, or be nothing." - Sartre pointed out the dilemma of human existence. We must define ourselves through action. Part II 6. "Freedom is the freedom to choose, not the freedom not to choose." - This sentence explains the true meaning of freedom, that is, freedom is not inaction, but the result of positive choice. 7. "Man, before he throws himself into the future, nothing exists." - Sartre emphasized the importance of the future in defining human existence. Our future is shaped by our own choices and actions. 8. "Man is destined to be free, which means that, except for freedom itself, people cannot find any other restrictions in his freedom." - This sentence expresses the absoluteness of freedom. Freedom is the essential attribute of human beings. 9. "If God does not exist, then at least there is something that exists before essence, and there is something that cannot be deduced as a reason for its existence. This thing is man." - Sartre challenged traditional religious beliefs here and put forward the view that man as existence precedes essence. 10. "I think, therefore I am is no longer the primary principle, I should be: I act, therefore I am." - This is a famous rewrite of Descartes' "I think, therefore I am", emphasizing the key role of action in defining human existence. Part III 11. "Man is free, even among stones." - This sentence expresses the universality and inalienability of freedom. No matter what the environment is, people have the right to choose freely. 12. "Anxiety is the clue of freedom." - Sartre linked anxiety with freedom, believing that anxiety is our inevitable emotional response when faced with free choice. 13. "Man is a useless passion." - This sentence expresses the contradiction and complexity of human existence in a unique language style. 14. "I can't do anything about the past, but I can always change the future." - Sartre emphasized the unidirectionality of time and the variability of the future, encouraging us to influence and change the future through action. 15. "Others are hell." - This is a famous quote by Sartre about interpersonal relationships, pointing out the relationship of mutual influence and mutual restriction between people. The above are 15 wonderful sentences or paragraphs selected from Being and Nothingness. Due to space limitations, I cannot give more content, but these are enough to show the profound connotation and unique charm of Sartre's philosophy. I hope these contents can inspire and help readers.

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was a French philosopher, writer, playwright and political activist, considered one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century.< His works cover a wide range of fields including philosophy, literature, drama and politics, and have had a profound impact on modern thought.

Basic Personal Information: Sartre was born in Paris, France.< His family background was relatively ordinary, but he showed extraordinary academic talent.

He was educated at the Lycée Henri IV in Paris and completed his philosophy education at the École Normale Supérieure.

Education and Career Background: At the École Normale Supérieure, Sartre studied with future famous thinkers such as Simone de Beauvoir, an experience that had an important influence on his later philosophical and literary creation.< After graduation, he became a teacher and studied at the University of Leipzig in Germany from 1931 to 1933, studying the phenomenology of Husserl and Heidegger.

Writing Career: Sartre's writing career began in the 1930s, and his first novel, La Nausée, was published in 1938, marking the beginning of his literary creation.< In 1943, his philosophical masterpiece, L'Être et le Néant, was published, which established his position in the philosophical world.

Style and Themes of Works: Sartre's writing style is characterized by profound philosophical thinking and in-depth exploration of human nature.< His main philosophical thought is existentialism, which emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility.

In his literary works, this thought is transformed into a profound portrayal of the human condition.

Personal Life: Sartre's personal life is equally remarkable.< His relationship with Simone de Beauvoir is considered one of the most famous intellectual partnerships of the 20th century.

Their relationship was based on mutual respect and personal freedom, rather than the traditional form of marriage.

Social Influence: Sartre's social influence is not limited to academia.< He also actively participated in political activities and opposed colonialism, racial discrimination and war.

He was the winner of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, but he declined the honor on the grounds that he did not want to be institutionalized.

Quotes and reviews: Sartre's philosophical and literary works have been widely praised.< The New York Times called him "one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century," while The Guardian commented that his work "changed our understanding of freedom, responsibility, and the human condition.

" Updates: Although Sartre died in 1980, his thoughts and works remain active in academic and cultural discussions.< His works are constantly being republished and translated, and new studies and interpretations are constantly emerging.

Sartre's life was a relentless exploration of freedom, responsibility, and the human condition, and his works and ideas continue to inspire readers and scholars around the world.