Jean-Paul Sartre

By Miguel Santiago

Jean-Paul Sartre, born June 21, 1905, in Paris, France, was a prominent philosopher, writer, and political activist. He is considered one of the central figures of existentialism, a philosophical movement that focused on individual freedom, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life.

Sartre began his academic journey at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he studied philosophy. It was during this time that he formed lifelong friendships with Simone de Beauvoir and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, who would also become influential figures in the existentialist movement.

In 1938, Sartre published his first major philosophical work, “Nausea,” a novel that explored the themes of existential angst and the search for meaning in a seemingly absurd world. This began his exploration of existentialist ideas and set the stage for his later philosophical works.

During World War II, Sartre served in the French army and was taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans. This experience deeply impacted him and affected his philosophical and political views. After his release, he became actively involved in left-wing politics and championed causes such as anti-colonialism and Marxism.

In 1943, Sartre published his philosophical masterpiece, “Being and Nothingness,” which examined questions of existence, consciousness, and the nature of being. This work solidified his reputation as a leading existentialist philosopher and set the stage for further contributions to the field.