Title: Existentialism Is a Humanism
Author: Jean-Paul Sartre
Publisher: Editions Nagel / Yale University Press
Published: 1946 (original lecture), book form later
Pages: ~70–100 depending on edition
Genre: Existential Philosophy, Ethics, Humanism
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
If you’re looking for an introduction to existentialism that’s both accessible and powerful, Existentialism Is a Humanism is where to begin. Originally delivered as a public lecture in post-war France, Sartre’s words cut through confusion and criticism to deliver one essential message: You are responsible for your life — completely.
Freedom with Consequences
Sartre’s central idea? “Existence precedes essence.”
That means you’re not born with meaning. You don’t inherit a purpose. You create it — through your actions, your values, your decisions.
This isn’t self-help. It’s self-honesty.
And in a world that often wants to hand us blueprints for happiness, Sartre insists: make your own.
A Bold Defense of Individual Responsibility
Sartre’s lecture is a defense of existentialism against those who saw it as a philosophy of despair. But he flips the script: existentialism is not about darkness — it’s about freedom. The freedom to choose, to fail, to grow, to build a life that’s yours.
This quote — “You must build your life as if it were a work of art” — is the heart of it all.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure of your “purpose,” Sartre offers something radical:
🛠 Stop searching. Start building.
In short: This book doesn’t hand you meaning — it hands you the tools to create it.