Definition
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was a highly influential French philosopher, playwright, and novelist. He's best known as a leading figure in existentialism. Sartre argued that existence precedes essence; we are born, then create our own meaning through choices. His works explore freedom, responsibility, and the human condition. He also engaged in political activism and literary criticism. He famously declined the Nobel Prize in Literature, maintaining his independent stance.