Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Jean-Paul Sartre
I am intrigued by both Jean Paul Sartre and our discussion of him today, so I decided to further research his background information. Sartre was born in Paris in 1905 to an Officer in the French Navy and a mother of Alsatian origin. His interest in philosophy began in his teenage years after reading Henri Bergson's essay regarding consciousness. In addition to supporting the philosophy of existentialism, during his lifetime, Sartre served in the French army, fought in World War II, and was a political activist who embraced communism. The most interesting fact I learned about Sartre was that he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in October of 1964 and declined it. He died on April 15, 1980 from pulmonary edema in his native city of Paris.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
So wait... He was an existentialist communist? Whoa. That's pretty confusing stuff. So he supported the idea that one's actions alone represent who a person is because there is no predetermined essence dictating one's actions; they purely come from free choices. And at the same time he believed that the government should standardize the distribution of property and posessions. I feel like that's a bit contradictory because that would in a sense restrict individuals' freedoms and therefore restrict personal expression and actions, the one thing that defines people, no?
I agree, Steven. Sartre's philosophy does seem to contradict his political views. However, I believe that Sartre was more on the left side of the political spectrum because of the wars he lived through (especially WWII and the Algerian War). The Online Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says that Sartre tended toward what the French call “libertarian socialism,” which is a kind of anarchism. So perhaps he believed people should choose to run themselves? His political stance confuses me, especially taking into account his philosophical background.
I agree with you, Steven, that his involvement with communism does seem to contradict his belief in existentialism. Also, what you said, Julia, about his anarchist libertarian socialism does seem to make more sense. I don't know if this helps very much, but I forgot to mention that although he "embraced" Communism, he was never an official member of the Party.
I agree with you all- Sartre seems to be a very confusing and complex man with very different ideas. I also think that, like Samantha said in her original post, Sartre declining his Nobel Prize is very strange. I wonder why he did that? Do you know what piece of literature he was rewarded for? This is one man who anyone would most likely have a very interesting conversation with.
Steven, I agree with you that he was technically an existential communist. Sartre's affiliation with that party may seem contradictory, however, his philosophy or political views did stem from the atrocities of World War II. His idea that our acts define us, I think, still show through, even if he is on the "left side" of the political spectrum or a semi-communist.
I too believe that Jean Paul Satre's beliefs appear contradictory. Although one's actions still affects the community in communism, it seems that it would be more so in ademocracy or meritocracy. How can one believe so strongly in individuality yet support such socialistic behavior? Julia's description of his belief in a "libertarian socialism" may be one possible answer however I, like her, am very perplexed by Sartre's political and ethical stand.
Post a Comment