what is existence? What does it mean to exist as a human being? having been ‘thrown’ into a universe seemingly devoid of objective meaning, how can we live our lives authentically, when we didn’t even ask to exist in the first place? Does our stock matter? what should we do if they don’t?
These are, broadly speaking, the questions that thinkers tagged with the term “existentialist,” be they philosophers, authors, or artists, have set out to answer over the past 200 years of existentialist thought.
You are reading: Best books about existentialism
Before diving into the best books on existentialism, if you’re interested in quickly learning more about existentialism in general, check out our brief introduction to existentialist philosophy, in which we describe its three basic tenets.
Otherwise, this reading list brings together the eight best books by and about the existentialist philosophical movement. it contains a mix of primary and secondary literature, from introductions and anthologies to the original texts of the deeply influential existentialist figureheads themselves. let’s jump!
1. in the existentialist cafe, by sarah bakewell
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Published in 2016, sarah bakewell’s in existentialist coffee is a fantastic place to start for anyone with a budding interest in existentialism. Brilliantly narrated, Bakerwell traces the intersecting lives and philosophies of key existentialist figures, from Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Merleau-Ponty, to Husserl, Heidegger, and Camus. In addition to lucidly presenting his thought, Bakewell contextualizes it in the difficult times in which most of the central existentialist thinkers lived (i.e., immediately before, during, and after World War II), providing insight into why they emerged. different currents of existentialism in the way they did. made. The 464 pages of In the Existentialist Cafe fly by and are a joy to read, making this book a very good entry point into existentialism.
2. existentialism from dostoevsky to sartre, by walter kaufmann
walter kaufmann was a 20th century philosopher, poet, and renowned translator of friedrich nietzsche. In his 1956 Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, Kaufmann brings together excerpts from key existentialist thinkers and influencers, including Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Rilke, Kafka, Ortega, Jaspers, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus. Beyond the fantastic selected works, what makes this collection so valuable are Kaufmann’s excellent introductory essays that put each excerpt into context. A classic anthology, this book belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in existentialism.
3. the cambridge companion to existentialism, by steven crowell
if you’re looking to supplement kaufmann’s existentialist anthology with intense critical analysis, look no further than philosophy professor steven crowell’s 2012 book the cambridge companion to existentialism. in this volume of original essays, crowell brings together a team of distinguished commentators to discuss the ideas of kierkegaard, nietzsche, heidegger, sartre, merleau-ponty, and de beauvoir, showing how their focus on existence provides a compelling perspective on contemporary issues in moral psychology, philosophy of mind, language, and history. At 428 pages, this comprehensive work of analysis is for those looking to take their understanding of existentialism to the next level.
4. This or That: A Fragment of Life by Søren Kierkegaard
Going from introductions and anthologies to primary existentialist texts, where better to start than with the philosopher often considered to be the forerunner of the movement as a whole? In his 1843 epic One or the Other: A Fragment of Life, the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard analyzes the search for a meaningful existence using the voices of two different characters. A fascinating work on duality, the first section of the book is written from the perspective of an aesthetic and rather insensitive young man simply called a; the second from the reasonable and ethical judge vilhelm. Kierkegaard invites us to explore themes of boredom, romance, meaning, and culture from these two seemingly irreconcilable perspectives. in doing so, he writes prose that is absolutely heartbreaking, deeply witty, and memorable. For anyone interested in the origins of existentialist thought, or: A Fragment of Life is a great place to start.
5. being and nothing, by jean-paul sartre
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Arguably the cornerstone of existentialist thought, French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1943 Being and Nothingness, at over 800 pages, is a dense, vivid and challenging description of human existence, and the most explicit expression of existentialist philosophy. on this list. If you’re looking for a less daunting introduction to Sartre’s ideas, a lecture he gave in 1945, published as the short text Existentialism Is a Humanism, is brilliantly accessible and articulate, and is the work that propelled Sartre to international stardom. his 1938 philosophical novel, Nausea, also beautifully communicates key existential themes of alienation, anxiety, and authenticity.
6. the ethics of ambiguity, by simone de beauvoir
in her classic 1947 introduction to existentialist thought, the ethic of ambiguity, french philosopher simone de beauvoir outlines her position in relation to sartre and merleau-ponty and argues that to achieve true freedom, we must fight choices and activities of those who repress it. The book that launched de Beauvoir’s existential and feminist philosophy, The Ethics of Ambiguity is a concise but comprehensive examination of existence and what it means to be human, and belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in existentialism.
7. being and time, by martin heidegger
Throughout the history of philosophy, the German philosopher Martin Heidegger argues, we have all missed something: we have never really contemplated what it means to exist, to be. the philosophical branch of metaphysics has glossed over this question, focusing instead on things like the substance and categories of our experience; but behind these things, says heidegger, is existence itself. what do we mean when we say something exists? With his landmark 1927 Being and Time, Heidegger seeks to restore balance by focusing like a laser, for hundreds of pages, on what it means to be. what is the nature of our existence, as we experience it? Only by paying due attention to this question, Heidegger argues, can we hope to get anywhere. Not for the faint of heart, this amazing book has had an astonishing influence on philosophy, art, literature, and existentialism since its publication, and deeply rewards those who tackle it.
8. the myth of sisyphus, by albert camus
Although the French thinker Albert Camus rejected the label “existentialist”, his writings are considered central to the existentialist tradition. his particular brand of existentialism, called “absurdity,” explores how, even in the face of the outrageous absurdity of the human condition, we can save meaning and happiness. In his highly influential 1942 philosophical essay, The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus argues that the ultimate question facing human beings is not whether there is a god or whether certain actions are right or wrong, but whether life is worth living. With lyrical eloquence, Camus recommends a path out of despair, affirming the value of personal existence and the possibility of a life lived with dignity and authenticity. one of the seminal works of the 20th century, anyone interested in existentialism or even the meaning of life will not regret reading the myth of sisyphus.
further reading
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