The Existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre [Paperback]

Webber argues for a new interpretation of Sartrean existentialism. On this reading, Sartre is arguing that each persons character consists in the projects they choose to pursue and that we are all already aware of this but prefer not to face it. Careful consideration of his existentialist writings shows this to be the unifying theme of his theories of consciousness, freedom, the self, bad faith, personal relationships, existential psychoanalysis, and the possibility of authenticity. Developing this account affords many insights into various aspects of his philosophy, not least concerning the origins, structure, and effects of bad faith and the resulting ethic of authenticity. This discussion makes clear the contributions that Sartres work can make to current debates over the objectivity of ethics and the psychology of agency, character, and selfhood. Written in an accessible style and illustrated with reference to Sartres fiction, this book should appeal to general readers and students as well as to specialists.

Preface

Chapter One: Understanding Ourselves

Chapter Two: The Reality of Character

Chapter Three: Situations

Chapter Four: Freely Chosen Projects

Chapter Five: Radical Freedom

Chapter Six: Anguish, Bad Faith, and Sincerity

Chapter Seven: The Project of Bad Faith

Chapter Eight: God and the Useless Passion

Chapter Nine: One Another

Chapter Ten: The Virtue of Authenticity

Chapter Eleven: Being One Self

Bibliography

Index

The Existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre, which confronts an impressive number of the major interpreters of Sartre, is an extremely valuable scholarly contribution l3>