Being and Nothingness

Summary

«Being and Nothingness» is a fundamental philosophical work by Jean-Paul Sartre, in which he develops the concept of existentialism. First published in 1943, the book offers a profound analysis of the phenomenon of freedom through the lens of the relationship between the 'self' and the 'other'. Sartre explores the notions of being-for-itself (existence as such) and being-in-itself (the essence of things), and introduces the concept of the 'gaze of the other' as a key moment shaping the consciousness of the subject. The author analyzes various aspects of human life, including questions of ethics, freedom of choice, and responsibility, and discusses the nature of emotions and imagination. Sartre aims to show that a person exists in a world where they are inevitably linked to uncertainty, and where their existence is defined by their actions. Thus, the key idea of the work is that existence precedes essence, meaning that a person defines who they are through their actions and choices.