Existentialism:Sartre & Nietzsche

The philosophical movement known as Existentialism became popular after World War II, but the existential system of thought can be traced back to earlier thinkers such as Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. Existentialism is not a school of philosophy, but refers to a number of related philosophical beliefs such as individual freedom and subjectivity. As a movement, Jean-Paul Sartre's 1946 lecture, "Existentialism is a Humanism," in which he states "existence precedes essence," provides the major precepts of the philosophy. Both Sartre and Nietzsche are atheistic existentialists, and while there are parallels between their thought, there are also major differences. This paper will compare and contrast Sartre and Nietzsche's views on existentialism.

Both men agree that human beings are free to do as they choose, and that life is not pre-determined. According to Sartre, the first principle of existentialism what is called its subjectivity it that "Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself" (Existentialism is a Humanism). Human beings are therefore responsible for what they are, and entirely responsible for their existence. Sartre adds that human beings are not just responsible for their own individuality, but responsible for all people. "If, moreover, existence precedes essence and we will to exist at the same time as we fashion our image, that image is valid for all�." (Existentialism is a Humanism). Human beings strive to create moral values to give me

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Category: Philosophy - E