Jean-Paul Sartre, the celebrated existentialist philosopher, is brought to life through the insights of Jonathan Rée, an author and philosopher, along with host Thomas Jones. They explore Sartre's formation of consciousness against the backdrop of WWII and his encounters with contemporaries like Proust. The discussion also navigates the vibrant cultural resistance in occupied Paris, the challenges of translating Sartre's ideas, and the lasting influence of his seminal work, 'Being and Nothingness', on modern thought.
The podcast emphasizes Sartre's evolution towards existentialism, shaped by early influences like Hume and Nietzsche, and his critique of traditional norms.
It discusses how Sartre's personal experiences during World War II informed his philosophical inquiries, blending art and philosophy in 'Being and Nothingness.'
Deep dives
Return on Ad Spend in B2B Marketing
The episode highlights the concept of return on ad spend (ROAS) within the context of B2B marketing, as introduced by a guest's father during a school career day. It emphasizes how crucial this metric is for assessing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. The discussion distinguishes between general marketing principles and those specifically relevant to the B2B sector, where understanding and reaching the right audience is paramount. With platforms like LinkedIn, businesses can connect with the appropriate professionals, ensuring a higher ROAS.
Exploring Key Philosophers in History
The podcast features a discussion on the influential philosophers discussed in Jonathan Ray's audiobook, particularly focusing on Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre's philosophical journey is outlined, detailing his early influences, including David Hume and Friedrich Nietzsche, which shaped his views. His encounters with psychology and his critique of traditional norms highlighted his desire to frame new ideas about individual consciousness and existence. This exploration serves to illustrate Sartre's evolution towards existentialism and his lasting impact on philosophy.
Sartre's Philosophical Works and Their Impact
The episode delves into Sartre's significant works, such as 'Being and Nothingness,' which outlines his existential philosophy. It discusses his unique proposition that consciousness is not merely a passive state but a dynamic interaction with the world that includes negation and absence. The narrative reveals how Sartre's personal experiences, including his time as a prisoner of war, informed his philosophical inquiries, blending art and philosophy. This blend contributed to Sartre's reputation and the importance of his ideas during and after World War II.
Sartre's Literary Career and Legacy
The discussion transitions to Sartre's post-war literary fame and the complexities surrounding his public persona as a cultural figure. It highlights how Sartre's popularity in America contrasted with his declining influence in France among intellectual circles. The episode examines the translation of his works, notably 'Being and Nothingness,' which played a pivotal role in introducing existentialism to English-speaking audiences. It also explores how Sartre's philosophical stance evolved into a broader existential humanism, despite criticism from contemporaries.
This week, a chapter from a new LRB audiobook, Becoming a Philosopher: Spinoza to Sartre by Jonathan Rée. This collection of ten biographical pieces, read by Rée, describes the lives of some of most influential thinkers of the past four hundred years and the radical and sometimes bizarre ideas that emerged from them. The audiobook also includes an introductory conversation between Rée and Thomas Jones, host of the LRB Podcast. In this free chapter, Rée looks at the life of Jean-Paul Sartre up to the publication of his first major philosophical work, Being and Nothingness, in 1943.
Podcast listeners can get 20% off using the code POD20 at checkout.
Buy the audiobook here and listen in your preferred podcast app: https://lrb.me/audio