Fifty years ago tomorrow (October 22, 1964), Jean-Paul Sartre refused to accept the Nobel Prize for literature. If I understand correctly, it was important to Sartre that he be the one who defined who he was and decide what his life meant, and for that reason politely declined all honors and awards. Just as existence precedes essence, youll have to decide for yoruself about Sartre. I read Sartre as a kid and am glad that my own life has not turned out to be so nauseating as he had warned. Sartre taught people the importance of creating their own meaning in a world that has none of its own. Perhaps he was right. Life and medicine have taught me that people do have the ability to decide what a particular event or situation means, and often be happier for the choice. Rest in peace, John-Paul Sartre. I am glad that I have never sought meaning in bad-mouthing the simple faiths of my ordinary, mostly-good neighbors. And I am VERY glad that I have never popularized a saying such as, Hell is other people. openculture/2014/06/jean-paul-sartre-rejects-the-nobel-prize.html
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 02:48:38 +0000
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