Sartre's Ethics of Engagement

Description

Jean-Paul Sartre was one of the most distinctive and vociferous social critics of the twentieth century. As editor of the French post-war journal Les Temps Modernes, Sartre was able to complement his literary and philosophical views with essays devoted to practical ethical and political issues. The post-war era was one of the most fruitful, exciting and daring periods for Sartre's thinking. His published and unpublished works disclose a striking feature of Sartrean existentialism. The commonly-held view is that existentialism champions radical individualism and disparages community, social roles and civic participation. This book challenges this received wisdom, showing that Sartrean existentialism is in fact a deeply social philosophy. T. Storm Heter demonstrates the vitality of Sartre's landmark essays 'What is Literature?' and 'Anti-Semite and Jew', and reveals the importance of the 'Notebooks for an Ethics', a rich and often ignored manuscript containing Sartre's most extensive discussion of ethical and political concepts. Drawing on these sources, Heter argues that Sartrean authenticity is an ethically and politically important virtue. Contrary to popular belief, the virtue of authenticity is not a mere codeword for sincerity and personal acceptance. Authenticity requires interpersonal recognition and group participation. We cannot be authentic in a vacuum, for the very dynamic of authenticity requires that others recognize our authentic identities. This book not only defends Sartrean ethics against charges of formalism, emptiness and extreme subjectivism, but also shows that authenticity is an important civic virtue, relevant to the social and political institutions of the modern world.

T. Storm Heter received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and currently teaches philosophy at East Stroudsburg University, PA.

mention- The Chronicle of Higher Education/ October 13, 2006 'I have read T. Storm Heter's book proposal and was greatly impressed by this work. It shows serious scholarship of a very high order. There is nothing in the current literature that addresses this topic adequately. Dr Heter addresses an aspect of Sartre's thinking that has not had sufficient attention. Dr Heter's book should do much to resuscitate interest in the political aspect of Sartre's thinking. The book not only shows incisive thought, but also is very clearly written. The organization of the book is admirably clear. Dr Heter makes his points lucidly and forcefully. In short, I strongly recommend publication of this book.' Dr Martin Weatherston, East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvania * Blurb from reviewer *