Sartre, by Neil Levy

Society

And what role does society play in all of this? Structuralist critics of Sartre argued that he underestimated the power of social structures to shape people's lives and determine the categories of their thoughts. As Levy explains, the later, Marxist Sartre included more about the power of social structures in his philosophical freedom:

Now, however, Sartre recognizes that the manner in which we have been brought up - not just the religion we have been taught, but the values inculcated in us and those we have absorbed, the cultural meanings that surround us and make us the kinds of people we are - forms the horizon within which we think and act.

These social forces are, however, also creations of ours - the society which shapes us is also our own creation. Thus, it cannot be argued that we humans are helpless victims of social circumstances - but it can be argued that human freedom is not quite as radical and total as Sartre believed early on.

Sartre presents us with an interesting and fertile philosophy of freedom and society. Levy presents us with an interesting and engaging exploration of that philosophy, making it accessible and very much worth considering. Even people without much of a background in philosophy are likely to get a lot out of this book and have quite a bit to think about. Sartre is an important figure in 20th century philosophy, and anyone seeking to learn more about him and his work should put this book high on their lists.

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