"Being and Nothingness," written by Jean-Paul Sartre, is a fundamental philosophical work that explores existentialism and phenomenology. Sartre delves into the nature of existence, asserting that existence precedes essence, meaning individuals are not born with a pre-defined purpose but must create their own identities through choices and actions. This work emphasized the importance of personal freedom and responsibility, examining how individuals confront their own freedom and the anxiety it can evoke.
The book also introduces key concepts such as being-for-itself (consciousness) and being-in-itself (the objective world), highlighting the distinction between human beings who possess self-awareness and objects that lack consciousness. Sartre discusses how individuals navigate their existence in a world filled with nothingness, leading to profound existential questions about meaning, choice, and the nature of reality. This duality reflects the conflict between the inherent ambiguity of life and the human drive to find meaning.