Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Being and Nothingness summary
Jean-Paul Sartre
A Phenomenological Essay on Ontology
14 mins
Brief summary
Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre is a philosophical masterpiece that delves into questions of existence, consciousness, and the nature of freedom. It challenges traditional notions of self and reality, ultimately asserting the importance of individual responsibility and authenticity.
Topics
Table of Contents
Being and Nothingness
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
The phenomenon of being
Being and Nothingness opens with a declaration. Sartre promises to focus on phenomenon and appearance, rather than on hidden essences or abstract dualisms. He argues that looking at the phenomenon – meaning the way things appear to our consciousness – is key to understanding existence. This is the viewpoint of phenomenology, a school of philosophy that emphasizes the lived experience of human beings.
Sartre distinguishes between the phenomenon of being and the being of the phenomenon. The phenomenon of being refers to how an object outwardly appears to be to human consciousness. The being of the phenomenon indicates how an object is in itself – what we might call the “essence” of that thing.
For example, when you observe a tree, the phenomenon of being is what you directly experience: its colors, shapes, and textures as perceived by you. The being of the phenomenon is the tree's essence or inner nature, independent of perception – like its biological or atomic makeup. But we have no direct access to this inner essence. We can only ever know things through their appearance as a phenomenon. Therefore, phenomenon precedes essence.
Sartre critiques the idea that consciousness is simply awareness of one’s own thinking. Consciousness is the whole of human existence and being itself. It does not come before existence. Rather, it arises at the same time as existence. They are two aspects of the same thing.
This leads to the concepts of being-for-itself, which is a mode of being that involves self-awareness and freedom, and being-in-itself, which means merely existing, unaware. Being-for-itself refers to human consciousness, which is self-contained, dynamic and fully realized.
Sartre rejects the idea that consciousness is some divine gift from God that separates humans from nature. His aim is to derive an ontological proof of his ideas purely from observing phenomena, without resorting to traditional notions about hidden essences or God.
These ideas lay the groundwork for a radical existentialist philosophy grounded in concrete human experience rather than muddy abstractions. If they still sound a bit fuzzy, don’t worry – we’ll explore them in depth in the next sections!
Want to see all full key ideas from Being and Nothingness?
Key ideas in Being and Nothingness
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Being and Nothingness about?
Being and Nothingness (1943) is a seminal work of existentialist philosophy. It explores the major themes of existentialism, such as the intricacies of human consciousness, free will, and the interplay of objectivity and subjectivity.
Being and Nothingness Review
Being and Nothingness (1943) by Jean-Paul Sartre delves deep into the philosophy of existentialism, exploring the complexities of human existence and the concept of freedom. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- This book offers a profound examination of human consciousness, revealing how our choices shape our identity and define our existence.
- Sartre masterfully combines philosophical ideas, psychological insights, and literary examples to present a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
- The book challenges conventional ideas and forces readers to confront their own beliefs and assumptions, stimulating intellectual curiosity and encouraging a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
Who should read Being and Nothingness?
- Students and scholars of philosophy
- People interested in intellectual history and influential philosophical texts
- Anyone grappling with questions of meaning, identity, and consciousness
Categories with Being and Nothingness
Book summaries like Being and Nothingness
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Being and Nothingness FAQs
What is the main message of Being and Nothingness?
The main message of Being and Nothingness is an exploration of human existence, consciousness, and the experience of freedom.
How long does it take to read Being and Nothingness?
The reading time for Being and Nothingness varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Being and Nothingness a good book? Is it worth reading?
Being and Nothingness is a thought-provoking and challenging book that offers deep insights into the nature of existence and personal freedom.
Who is the author of Being and Nothingness?
Jean-Paul Sartre is the author of Being and Nothingness.
What to read after Being and Nothingness?
If you're wondering what to read next after Being and Nothingness, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre
- Ethics by Baruch Spinoza
- The Bhagavad Gita by Vyasa
- Being and Time by Martin Heidegger
- How to Read Lacan by Slavoj Žižek
- The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk
- The Stranger by Albert Camus
- Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein
- The Little Book of Stoicism by Jonas Salzgeber
- The Metaphysics by Aristotle