Sunday Reading Circle: Jean-Paul Sartre on Existentialism

In this series of meetings, we'll come together to read and discuss some of the greatest essays from the fields of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics: from the Nobel laureates, famous philosophers, both ancient and modern, and influential political theorists.

No academic background is required! Anyone is welcome – as long as you've read the text in advance ;)

All texts will be short (10-20 pages max) and easy to find upon a quick Google search. I will also make sure to share the direct links in advance.

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This time we will read Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1945 lecture ‘Existentialism is a Humanism’ (L’existentialisme est un humanisme) – one of the clearest and most accessible articulations of existentialist philosophy.

In this lecture, Sartre argues that humans have no predetermined essence or purpose – we exist first and define ourselves through our choices and actions. Since there is no God or fixed moral code, we are radically free and bear the full responsibility for what we become.

Famous quotes:

'Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself’

‘We are condemned to be free'

‘When we say that man chooses himself, we do mean that every one of us must choose himself; but by that we also mean that in choosing for himself he chooses for all men.'

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Location: we will meet in cafes, parks, or one another's living rooms throughout the summer. Together, we will discuss the great theories and ideas; think, debate, contemplate, deliberate, and by our joint effort we will aim to get one step closer towards understanding of this world.

Update: due to the rainy weather on Sunday, for the 13th of July reading event we’ll meet at Justin’s home (Blahníkova 646/16). The names on the buzzer are “McCandless, Everett, Mainous,” go up to the 5th floor and if the button in the elevator gives you trouble then just ride it up to the 4th floor.

Meeting structure: each session will begin with a brief summary of the key ideas from the reading, followed by open discussion.

Please read the text in advance, make highlights, and write down any thoughts or questions that you find especially interesting and compelling.

Knowledge Will Break the Chains of Slavery
Veritas Vos Liberabit ✊