Philosophy ETDs

Publication Date

6-3-1966

Abstract

Existentialism, in post war years, has achieved not only an international philosophical standing, but in addition has made itself felt in a multitude of contemporary affairs - from psychology and literature to politics and social ethics. A large measure of this propagation of existentialism has been due to the varied accomplishments of Jean-Paul Sartre. As a forceful intellectual, Sartre continues to arouse support and controversy for his radical and dramatic ideas in every field he approaches; yet at the heart of all this activity is the man’s philosophy. Although Sartre has contributed in major ways to philosophical discourse, there is by no means a common agreement as to the proper description of his thought beyond "existentialist.” Rather than give the author credit for his own concept of his philosophy, commentators have sometimes ignored Sartre’s references to phenomenology and have preferred their descriptive terminology such as “critical materialism," "postulatory atheism” or other terms which are often misleading. This inability to decide upon suitable terms for what is germane to Sartre’s existentialism indicates the radicalism of his thought and the difficulty of adequately representing it; but even more, there is an implication that the scholars and critics have often been more interested in the presentation of their own insights concerning some aspect of Sartre’s philosophy than they have been in achieving some perspective toward the organized whole of his work.

Degree Name

Philosophy

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Philosophy

First Committee Member (Chair)

James Arnold Snedden

Second Committee Member

Hubert Griggs Alexander

Third Committee Member

Paul F. Schmidt

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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