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Jean-Paul Sartre’s Being and Nothingness is a book that discusses the philosophy of existentialism. The fundamental ideas of consciousness, existence of free will, authenticity of one’s life and other such thoughts are discussed in detail, leaving the readers in deeper thoughts on life and being. Summary of the book The scope of Being and Nothingness is a vast essay which deals with every characteristic of the human consciousness in its entirety. The world, matter, morality, human freedom, nature, reality and existence are overwhelmingly conferred on with deep insight into every concept. Drawing parallels with Heidegger, Kafka and other philosophers who strongly propounded existentialism, Sartre doesn’t fall any behind in doing so. He attempts to distinguish between the conscious and unconscious choice of actions that humans are met with, in different walks of life. And also delves into the fundamental freedom of all our lives – to live authentically as a conscious decision. Sartre also advocates phenomenology, which explains the structures of experience and consciousness. The book culminates with individual’s existence asserted as more important over individual’s essence. Although his perspectives are widely debated, this book is a distinguished work of one of the noteworthy thinkers of the 20th century. About Jean-Paul Sartre Sartre was born in Paris, France. He was one of the leading figures of the 20th century as a playwright, novelist, political activist, and philosopher. He belonged to the Existentialism, Marxism, and Phenomenology school of thought. Sartre’s chief areas of interests were metaphysics, consciousness, ethics, literature, political philosophy, ontology among others. He was also the author of The Age of Reason, Nausea, What is Literature, Existentialism and Humanism and The Reprieve and many other works.