Jean-Paul Sartre
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Jean-Paul Sartre was a renowned French philosopher, playwright, novelist, and political activist. Born on June 21, 1905, in Paris, he studied at the École Normale Supérieure. Sartre's philosophical work is deeply rooted in existentialism, a concept he popularized through his writings. His central idea, "existence precedes essence," posits that individuals create their own essence through choices and actions, rather than being defined by a predetermined nature. This philosophy is extensively explored in his influential work, Being and Nothingness (1943). Sartre's literary contributions include novels like La Nausée (1938) and plays such as Huis Clos (1947). He was also a prominent public intellectual, engaging in political activism, particularly against colonialism and war. Sartre was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964 but declined it. He maintained a lifelong relationship with philosopher Simone de Beauvoir and passed away on April 15, 1980. Through his work, Sartre significantly influenced modern thought in philosophy, literature, and politics.
