Existentialism is a Humanism

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Jean-Paul Sartre

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To correct misconceptions about his philosophy, Sartre delivered a lecture on October 29, 1945, at the Club Maintenant in Paris, titled "Existentialism Is a Humanism." His aim was to clarify existentialism, a term widely used at the time, asserting it as a doctrine primarily for philosophers, even as he made it accessible to a broader audience. The published text rapidly became a foundational work of existentialism and catapulted Sartre to international fame. Central to his doctrine is the idea of freedom: humans, born into a godless universe, initially lack essence and must create their identity through their choices—"existence precedes essence." The awareness of mortality adds urgency to this process; without the inevitability of death, existence would be endless. Each choice affirms the value of what is selected, committing not only the individual but all of humanity to that decision. This edition includes a translation of the 1996 French version, featuring an introduction by Arlette Elkaim-Sartre and a Q&A with Sartre regarding his lecture. Additionally, it pairs with Sartre's commentary on Camus's The Stranger. In her foreword for American readers, biographer Annie Cohen-Solal evaluates both texts.