Skye Cleary, a philosopher and author, dives into the transformative ideas of existentialism, particularly through the lens of Simone de Beauvoir. She discusses the challenge of creating personal meaning in a world devoid of predetermined purpose. The conversation highlights the significance of freedom, self-reflection, and authentic choices in shaping identity. Cleary also sheds light on how existentialism can guide our understanding of relationships, encouraging mutual respect and individual authenticity amidst societal pressures.
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insights INSIGHT
Existence Precedes Essence
Existence precedes essence: things exist before we categorize them.
We create the essence of things, like what makes a person a person.
insights INSIGHT
Authenticity as a Process
Authenticity is a continuous process of self-creation, not a destination.
It involves making conscious choices aligned with our evolving values.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Reflect and Learn
Reflect on your choices and their alignment with your desired self.
Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities to refine your authentic path.
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This book delves into Simone de Beauvoir's existentialist philosophy, where authenticity is not about discovering a true self but creating one through self-renewal and diverse life paths. Skye C. Cleary examines major life relationships and milestones, showing how Beauvoir's ideas can help individuals live purposefully and responsibly. The book challenges readers to become 'poets of their own lives' by embracing freedom and responsibility.
Life Is Hard
Malak Mohamad
The Right to Sex
Feminism in the Twenty-first Century
Amia Srinivasan
In this collection of essays, Amia Srinivasan addresses various aspects of sex and politics, including the politics of desirability, sexual racism, and the limitations of consent as a moral framework. The book critiques mainstream feminist discourse for its reticence to politicize desire and examines issues like student-teacher relationships, the incel movement, and the impact of colonialism and white supremacy on standards of attractiveness. Srinivasan's essays are characterized by their complexity and their insistence on dwelling in the discomfort and ambivalence of these politically charged topics.
Either/or
A Fragment of Life
Søren Kierkegaard
In 'Either/Or', Kierkegaard juxtaposes the aesthetic and ethical modes of life through the writings of two imaginary characters, 'A' and 'B'. Part 1, written by 'A', presents the aesthetic man, with essays on topics such as Mozart’s 'Don Giovanni', ancient tragedy, and the famous 'Seducer’s Diary'. Part 2, written by 'B', a middle-aged judge, advocates for an ethical life, emphasizing the importance of commitments like marriage and the development of the inner self. The book is a rich and suggestive exploration of existential choices, though it lacks a clear message, leaving interpretations open to the reader. It also includes a final sermon that highlights the limitations of both worldviews and points towards a religious perspective[2][3][4].
The Second Sex
Simone de Beauvoir
In 'The Second Sex', Simone de Beauvoir delves into the concept of feminism by examining historical facts, biological differences, psychoanalytic theories, and societal myths that have led to the subjugation of women. The book is divided into two volumes: 'Facts and Myths' and 'Lived Experience'. Beauvoir argues that women are not inherently inferior but are made so by societal constructs and historical injustices. She critiques the notion that women are defined as 'The Other' in relation to men, emphasizing that this distinction denies women their humanity and autonomy. The book explores various stages of a woman's life, from childhood to old age, highlighting how societal forces condition women into accepting passive and dependent roles. Beauvoir advocates for women's equality and autonomy, particularly through economic independence and the ability to support themselves through work.
Being and Nothingness
Jean-Paul Sartre
In 'Being and Nothingness,' Jean-Paul Sartre delves into the fundamental categories of being and nothingness. He distinguishes between 'being-in-itself' (objects that simply exist and are unaware of themselves) and 'being-for-itself' (human consciousness, which is self-aware and free). Sartre argues that human beings are characterized by their freedom and responsibility, and that they must create their own being through their actions in the world. The book also introduces the concept of 'being-for-others,' highlighting the impact of others on our self-perception. Sartre rejects traditional notions of a transcendent reality and instead emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and authenticity in human existence[2][3][4].
God is dead, as Nietzsche’s madman memorably reminded us. So what are we going to do about it? If there is no powerful force out there to guide us and give meaning to our lives, how are we supposed to live? Do we have to come up with meaning and purpose ourselves? Apparently so, and how to pull it off was a major question addressed by the existentialist movement. Skye Cleary turns to Simone de Beauvoir, in particular, for thoughts on how to construct an authentic life. Her recent book is How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment.
Skye Cleary received a Ph.D. and an MBA from Macquarie University. She is an author and philosopher and also teaches at Columbia University and the City College of New York. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Aeon, The Times Literary Supplement, TED-Ed, and The Los Angeles Review of Books, among other outlets. She won the 2017 New Philosopher Writers’ Award and was a 2021 MacDowell Fellow.
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 
