BEING AND NOTHINGNESS
Being and Nothingness is the seminal philosophical work of Jean-Paul Sartre, published in 1943. It lays the foundation for existentialism and explores human consciousness, freedom, and the nature of existence. Sartre distinguishes between two modes of being: “being-in-itself” (être-en-soi)—the existence of things that simply are, like objects—and “being-for-itself” (être-pour-soi)—the self-aware, reflective consciousness of human beings. Sartre argues that humans are defined by their capacity for nothingness—the ability to negate, question, and choose, which grants them radical freedom. This freedom, however, comes with anguish, because we are entirely responsible for giving our own lives meaning in a world without inherent purpose. He also introduces the idea of bad faith (mauvaise foi)—self-deception where individuals lie to themselves to escape the burden of freedom and responsibility. Sartre critiques how people often adopt societal roles or live inauthentically to avoid confronting their true nature. Ultimately, Being and Nothingness presents a powerful view of human existence as fundamentally free, but often trapped in self-imposed illusions. It challenges readers to live authentically, embrace freedom, and take full responsibility for their actions and identity in a meaningless but malleable world