Oppression and the Human Condition

"Oppression and the Human Condition" serves two aims. First, it is an introduction to the existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre, accessible to undergraduate students and ideal for courses in existentialist and 20th century philosophy. At the same time, it makes an original contribution to Sartre scholarship, particularly in the areas of oppression and "bad faith". As such, the work is equally important to academics and researchers. Author Thomas Martin applies the philosophy of Sartre to contemporary issues and concerns, and draws on two case studies to illustrate this point. This approach, combined with Martin's straightforward writing style, should be welcomed by students who pick up "Oppression and the Human Condition". Martin's case studies also reinforce his argument that Sartre's early philosophy, particularly his concept of "bad faith", provides a framework for discussions of oppressive behaviours such as racism and sexism. This is in open contradiction to theorists who argue that existentialism is incapable of theorizing oppression. Martin argues that bad faith, as Sartre saw it, was a way of denying or ignoring some aspect of "human being" - and thus opening the way for intolerance and oppression.