At The Existentialist Café Summary

“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.” This powerful insight from Jean-Paul Sartre illustrates the heart of existentialism – the burden and beauty of personal freedom and choice.

1. Philosophy Can Start Anywhere – Even With an Apricot Cocktail

Existentialism didn’t begin with lofty academic discussions; it started somewhere relatable – a bar in Paris. Jean-Paul Sartre learned about phenomenology, a radical new approach to philosophy, during a casual conversation with his friend Raymond Aron. Aron explained that phenomenology, a German movement founded by Edmund Husserl, focused on understanding life by studying everyday experiences without preconceived notions.

This interaction lit a fire under Sartre, who saw this method as much more meaningful than the abstract questions of older philosophy. Instead of pondering “what is real,” phenomenology encouraged looking directly at the world around us, such as experiencing an apricot cocktail not as a concept, but by truly tasting and noticing its unique qualities.

Sartre’s eagerness to learn more led him to Berlin, where he immersed himself in phenomenology. By blending these ideas with his literary talents, Sartre created something new – existentialism. More than just a branch of philosophy, existentialism aimed to explore the questions of how we live and why we make the choices we do.

Examples

• A casual chat at the Bec-de-Gaz bar inspired Sartre with phenomenology.
• Sartre devoured every book on phenomenology after that conversation.
• This discovery pushed him to study in Berlin and develop existentialism.

2. Phenomenology Rekindled Philosophy by Focusing on Real-Life Experiences

Phenomenology reshaped philosophy by emphasizing first-hand experiences. Rather than debating abstract ideas, it asked individuals to truly see things as they are, putting aside preconceived judgments through a technique called epoché. Introduced by Husserl, this method helped disentangle perceptions shaped by personal or cultural biases.

Let’s consider an everyday example: an apricot cocktail. Instead of questioning whether the apricot is real or philosophical in nature, phenomenology asks you to pause, taste the cocktail, observe its sweetness, and feel its warmth on your palate. In clear terms, it’s about appreciating and describing the moment rather than being lost in theory.

The method turned the spotlight on the essence of human experiences, helping people understand their emotions, memories, and even something as unusual as physically describing pain differently. These efforts brought new depth to understanding life.

Examples

• Husserl’s concept of epoché urged people to suspend preconceived notions.
• A patient’s detailed description of pain assists doctors in accurate diagnosis.
• Husserl’s students refined descriptions of phenomena like music or emotions.

3. Martin Heidegger: A Philosopher with Both Visionary Ideas and Controversial Views

Martin Heidegger took phenomenology further by questioning the meaning of "being" itself. In his work "Being and Time," Heidegger introduced the concept of Dasein, or "being there," which emphasizes that humans exist within and are connected to the world, not separate observers of it.

Heidegger’s ideas transformed existential thought and influenced later existentialists like Sartre. However, his personal choices cast a shadow on his legacy. He joined the Nazi Party in 1933 while serving as rector of Freiburg University, actions that led to serious repercussions for those around him, including his mentor Edmund Husserl, who lost his university status.

Despite his groundbreaking philosophical contributions, Heidegger’s political choices served as a stark contrast to his ideas about personal responsibility and authenticity. For many, his life serves as a cautionary tale about the dissonance between beliefs and actions.

Examples

• Heidegger’s concept of Dasein centered the idea of existing “within the world.”
• His work, "Being and Time," influenced an entire generation of existentialist thinkers.
• His Nazi party membership and anti-Semitic writings tarnished his intellectual legacy.

4. The Root of Existentialism Lies in Accepting Freedom and Responsibility

Existentialism emphasizes an important truth: we are free to choose, and with that freedom comes responsibility. Sartre illustrated this with a poignant story about a former student during Nazi-occupied France. The student asked whether he should join the resistance to fight Nazis or stay with his widowed mother who needed him.

Sartre’s advice was simple but profound: no outside force dictates the “right” choice. The student had to choose for himself, and in that decision, he would define who he was. Sartre encapsulated this idea in the phrase, “existence precedes essence,” meaning our actions, not any predefined traits, define our essence.

This liberating yet daunting concept reveals that freedom can be both a gift and a weight. Individuals must decide how to live authentically while accepting full responsibility for the consequences.

Examples

• Sartre’s student faced a deeply moral and personal choice during the war.
• “Existence precedes essence” reveals how individuals define themselves through choices.
• Fake constraints, such as traditions or labels, merely obscure true freedom.

5. Sartre and de Beauvoir Lived Existentialism in Every Aspect of Their Lives

Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir didn’t just write existentialist theory; they modeled it in their lives. Their unconventional open relationship exemplified their commitment to choice and freedom. Rejecting marriage because of its societal constraints, they made agreements that suited their mutual philosophy.

Their lifestyles reflected their unity as philosophers, writers, and political activists. They wrote side by side in cafes or while traveling, offering feedback on each other’s work. Beyond their intellectual partnership, they engaged in political causes, from student uprisings to workers’ strikes.

This commitment to philosophy as a way of life highlighted the authenticity they championed. They proved that existentialism was more than abstract thought—it was a guide for daily living.

Examples

• Their decision to have an open relationship reflected their pursuit of freedom.
• They lived and worked together while supporting movements like the 1968 Paris protests.
• Their actions reinforced that philosophy could inform and dictate real-life choices.

6. Existentialism Thrived Even in Dark Times, Including Wartime

Both Sartre and de Beauvoir turned to existentialist ideas to endure life during World War II. Sartre, imprisoned in a camp, took solace in studying Heidegger’s work before escaping. De Beauvoir, struggling in occupied Paris, wrote the novel "She Came to Stay," drawing inspiration from existential readings.

In Sartre’s groundbreaking "Being and Nothingness," he explored the overwhelming freedom people possess. This freedom can give rise to “bad faith,” where individuals hide from their responsibility by pretending they are bound by roles or external forces.

Even under the extreme stress of occupation, Sartre and de Beauvoir used existentialism to stay grounded and productive. Their writings from this time resonate for their focus on freedom and personal accountability.

Examples

• Sartre escaped a POW camp to reunite with de Beauvoir in occupied Paris.
• Sartre used his time in captivity to read philosophy and draft ideas for "Being and Nothingness."
• De Beauvoir found solace and inspiration in the philosophical works of Hegel and Kierkegaard.

7. Postwar Paris Became the Heartbeat of the Existentialist Scene

After the war, Paris embraced existentialism as a fresh, modern way of understanding life. The Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter became an intellectual and cultural hub where writers, artists, and students gathered to discuss ideas. Sartre and de Beauvoir became central figures in this bustling scene.

This period birthed a fascinating counterculture. Sartre and de Beauvoir’s love for American jazz brought vibrancy to the gloomy postwar years. Figures like Juliette Gréco embodied existentialist defiance, singing songs like “Over the Rainbow” even amidst brutal times.

In cafés and clubs, existentialist ideas flourished as people ready to rethink the old ways experimented with philosophy, music, art, and relationships.

Examples

• Saint-Germain-des-Prés turned into the iconic meeting spot for existentialists.
• Jazz and blues music symbolized existential defiance among Parisian counterculture.
• Sartre’s public talk on existentialism caused a frenzy in 1945, packed beyond capacity.

8. Albert Camus: An Existential Friend Turned Rival

Albert Camus shared a deep bond with Sartre and de Beauvoir, but their philosophical differences eventually drove them apart. Camus’s idea of life being fundamentally absurd clashed with Sartre’s belief in self-defined meaning.

The fallout deepened after Camus’ staunch opposition to state executions after World War II, contrasting with Sartre’s view that justice sometimes required harsh measures. This political disparity underscored their differing approaches to freedom and ethics.

Despite their break, Camus’s work, like "The Myth of Sisyphus," remains a vital part of existentialist discussions, offering an alternative perspective to Sartre and de Beauvoir.

Examples

• Camus viewed life’s absurdity as something to confront and laugh at, like Sisyphus.
• Sartre and de Beauvoir disagreed on state justice during France’s postwar reckoning.
• Camus’s "The Stranger" and "The Myth of Sisyphus" are existentialist classics.

9. The Second Sex: A Landmark Exploration of Women’s Experience

Simone de Beauvoir’s "The Second Sex" revolutionized how people viewed women’s existence. She argued that society socializes women into passivity by teaching them to see themselves only through the eyes of men. This male gaze reduces women to objects rather than active, free beings.

By examining women’s lived experiences—from childhood to adulthood—de Beauvoir dismantled myths about femininity being “natural” and instead revealed cultural conditioning. Her ideas inspired countless women to question societal constraints and seek roles beyond traditional ones.

"The Second Sex" established de Beauvoir as not only an existentialist thinker but also a pioneer of feminist philosophy.

Examples

• De Beauvoir argued that gender roles stem from childhood socialization.
• She explored how women internalize the gaze of men, limiting their freedom.
• Her works exposed the barriers women face in achieving agency.

Takeaways

1. Challenge your assumptions. Practice setting aside preconceived notions, just as phenomenology suggests, to better understand yourself and your surroundings.
2. Embrace freedom and responsibility. Remember Sartre’s advice: your actions define who you are, so live authentically by making conscious, intentional choices.
3. Recognize cultural conditioning. Take inspiration from "The Second Sex" and reflect on how societal norms impact your life. Seek to reclaim agency wherever possible.