Jean-Paul Sartre | Biography, Ideas, Existentialism ... - Britannica
Having written his defense of individual freedom and human dignity, Sartre turned his attention to the concept of social responsibility. For ...
existentialism
Jean-Paul Sartre (born June 21, 1905, Paris, France—died April 15, 1980, Paris) was a French philosopher, novelist, and playwright, best known as the leading exponent of <anchor>existentialism</anchor> in the 20th century. In 1964 he declined the Nobel Prize for Literature, which had been awarded to him “for his work which, rich in ideas and filled with the spirit of freedom and the quest for truth, has exerted a far-reaching influence on our age.”
Existentialism | Definition, History, Characteristics, Examples, Types, & Facts | Britannica
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[existentialism](https://www.britannica.com/topic/existentialism)

Table of Contents


- [Introduction](/topic/existentialism)

- [Nature of existentialist thought and manner](/topic/existentialism#ref68493)

- [Historical survey of existentialism](/topic/existentialism/Historical-survey-of-existentialism)



- [Precursors of existentialism](/topic/existentialism/Historical-survey-of-existentialism#ref68495)

- [Immediate background and founders](/topic/existentialism/Historical-survey-of-existentialism#ref68496)

- [Emergence as a movement](/topic/existentialism/Historical-survey-of-existentialism#ref68497)

- [Methodological issues in existentialism](/topic/existentialism/Historical-survey-of-existentialism#ref68498)

- [Substantive issues in existentialism](/topic/existentialism/Substantive-issues-in-existentialism)



- [Fundamental concepts and contrasts](/topic/existentialism/Substantive-issues-in-existentialism#ref68500)

  - [Ontic structure of human existence](/topic/existentialism/Substantive-issues-in-existentialism#ref68501)

  - [Manner and style of human existence](/topic/existentialism/Substantive-issues-in-existentialism#ref68502)

- [Problems of existentialist philosophy](/topic/existentialism/Problems-of-existentialist-philosophy)

  - [Humanity and human relationships](/topic/existentialism/Problems-of-existentialist-philosophy#ref68504)

  - [The human situation in the world](/topic/existentialism/Problems-of-existentialist-philosophy#ref68505)

  - [Significance of Being and transcendence](/topic/existentialism/Problems-of-existentialist-philosophy#ref68506)

- [Problems of existentialist theology](/topic/existentialism/Problems-of-existentialist-philosophy#ref68507)

- [Social and historical projections of existentialism](/topic/existentialism/Social-and-historical-projections-of-existentialism)


[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/existentialism/additional-info) [Related Topics](/facts/existentialism)

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[existentialism summary](/summary/existentialism)

Related Questions


- [Where was Jean-Paul Sartre from?](/question/Where-was-Jean-Paul-Sartre-from)
- [When did Jean-Paul Sartre meet Simone de Beauvoir?](/question/When-did-Jean-Paul-Sartre-meet-Simone-de-Beauvoir)

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Contents


[Philosophy & Religion](/browse/Philosophy-Religion)[Philosophical Issues](/browse/Philosophical-Issues)

# existentialism

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Written by


[Nicola Abbagnano\
\
Emeritus Professor of History of Philosophy, University of Turin, Italy, 1936–76. Foremost Italian Existentialist philosopher. Author of _Critical Existentialism_ and others.](/contributor/Nicola-Abbagnano/2)

Nicola Abbagnano

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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

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Last Updated:

Sep 11, 2024
• [Article History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/existentialism/additional-info#history)


Table of Contents


[![Søren Kierkegaard](https://cdn.britannica.com/80/10480-004-B306CB9C/Soren-Kierkegaard-collection-Christian-1840.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/80/10480-004-B306CB9C/Soren-Kierkegaard-collection-Christian-1840.jpg)

Søren Kierkegaard

[See all media](https://www.britannica.com/topic/existentialism/images-videos)

Key People: [Nikolay Aleksandrovich Berdyayev](/biography/Nikolay-Aleksandrovich-Berdyayev)[Jean-Paul Sartre](/biography/Jean-Paul-Sartre)[Franz Rosenzweig](/biography/Franz-Rosenzweig)[Marjorie Grene](/biography/Marjorie-Grene)[Watsuji Tetsurō](/biography/Watsuji-Tetsuro)_(Show more)_

Related Topics: [Dasein](/topic/Dasein)[dread](/topic/dread)[atheistic existentialism](/topic/atheistic-existentialism)[theological existentialism](/topic/theological-existentialism)[absurdity](/art/absurdity)_(Show more)_

[See all related content →](/facts/existentialism)

**existentialism**, any of various philosophies, most influential in continental Europe from about 1930 to the mid-20th century, that have in common an interpretation of human existence in the world that stresses its concreteness and its problematic character. According to existentialism: (1) Existence is always particular and individual—always _my_ existence, _your_ existence, _his_ existence, _her_ existence. (2) Existence is primarily the problem of existence (i.e., of its mode of being); it is, therefore, also the investigation of the meaning of Being. (3) That investigation is continually faced with diverse possibilities, from among which the existent (i.e., the human individual) must make ...(100 of 7840 words)

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