Philosophy. Study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence.

Existentialism is concerned with the drama of human existence: the quest for an ‘authentic’ life; existential ‘angst'; human freedom; and the absurdity of existence. This ten-week course will explore Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophical existentialism and her many novels. We will compare and contrast her form of existentialism to Jean-Paul Sartre's, her long-time friend, lover and nemesis. Philosophical texts covered include de Beauvoir’s The Ethics of Ambiguity (1947); The Second Sex (1949); and Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism (1946).

Many existentialists also wrote novels in which they played out existential issues through the situation of story and character. In this context, we will discuss Beauvoir’s She Came to Stay (1943) and The Mandarins (1954), for which she won the prestigious French Le Prix Concourt, and compare it to Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea (1938). 

Aims

This course aims to provide you with the opportunity to acquaint yourself with two of the most important and fascinating philosophers of the 20th C: Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, through their existential ideas and novels, and to extend your knowledge of their philosophy.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• identify the main theories of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, and understand them in relation to our contemporary situation
• show the important role played by de Beauvoir and Sartre in our understanding of human nature
• discuss the issues involved in questions concerning the role of freedom, choice and authenticity in personal life and the social/political space
• read the novels of both authors and connect them to the philosophy of existentialism.

Content

Introduction and biography

There is a deep connection between the personal life and philosophy for both de Beauvoir and Sartre as existentialists. We will follow their relationship from their university days, and in so doing introduce some of the central issues of existential philosophy.

Joy and generosity

Sartre may have said that ‘hell is other people’ but de Beauvoir also explores the way we construct our identity through the recognition of ourselves in others.

Self and intersubjectivity

We will discuss theories of self and intersubjectivity. De Beauvoir develops existentialism to include the category of ‘being with others’, which is an exploration of our connection to the subjecthood of other humans. The Ethics of Ambiguity (1947) is our primary text.

The Second Sex (1949)

Considered to be the foundational text of second wave feminism, we will reconsider the text using the unabridged 2010 translation (translated by C. Borde, S. Malovany-Chevallier), which has been hailed as returning her feminism to its broader existential and phenomenological implications.

She Came to Stay (1943) and The Mandarins (1954)

The metaphysical novel She Came to Stay (1943) deals with the dynamics of desire; our relationship to time; and the temporal structure of our relationship to ourselves and others. It also introduces the issue of violence and its legitimacy in the quest for freedom. The Mandarins (1954) is concerned with playing out the ambiguous nature of human existence: our drive for self-realisation and our dependence on others.

Nausea (1938)

The novel Nausea (1938) is Sartre’s existentialism in action. He is both writing about a character faced with the challenge of meaningless existence, and showing in his work how that meaninglessness can be dealt with.

Adieux: A Farwell to Sartre: Finitude, Passion and the Body (1981)

We will explore Simone de Beauvoir’s wonderful essay as a tribute to her life with Jean-Paul.

Intended audience

Anyone with a general interest in philosophy and the course themes.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery mode

Online via the platform Zoom

Delivery style

 Lecture/discussion

Materials

Course notes will be provided for each session of the course. All course materials are provided electronically, via Dropbox. Printing services are not available.