Final answer:
Jean-Paul Sartre composed 'The Humanism of Existentialism' in the wake of World War II, a time that greatly influenced existential thought.
Sartre emphasized personal freedom, responsibility, and the creation of one’s own essence, ideas which deeply resonated during a period characterized by the questioning of traditional values and norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Context of 'The Humanism of Existentialism'
When Jean-Paul Sartre wrote 'The Humanism of Existentialism', the world had just witnessed the horrific events of World War II. This period's traumas greatly influenced the existentialist movement, with thinkers like Sartre focusing on themes like freedom, responsibility, and the meaning of life in a world where traditional religious and moral structures seemed inadequate. Existentialism posited that individuals must create their own essence through actions, a perspective that resonated with many, including the Abstract Expressionists, who saw their art as a testament to their existence and a form of personal expression amidst the chaos of the post-war world.
Sartre's existential philosophy, characterized by the tenet that 'existence precedes essence', suggested that life’s meaning is not predetermined but is something each person must forge for themselves. This idea held significant weight during a time when established norms and beliefs were being questioned, offering a viewpoint that one's existence and the choices they make are paramount. The aftermath of World War II, with its need for reconstruction and reevaluation of values, was a fertile ground for such philosophies that emphasized personal responsibility and moral autonomy.
The crux of Sartre's writing during this era was that personal freedom and responsibility are intrinsic to human existence, and that this freedom is both liberating and burdensome. With religious and traditional paradigms shifting, existentialists like Sartre were seeking to find what meaning life could have without these structures, and their explorations heavily influenced ethical thought, art, literature, and postmodern philosophy.