Contemporary Humanism: Sartre’s Existentialist Humanism and Heideggerean Humanism

Abstract

The present study investigates the concept of humanism in terms of the two forms of contemporary humanism, namely Sartre’s existentialist humanism and Heideggerean humanism. The aim is to explore the concept in detail and to present the views of Sartre and Heidegger on humanism and to shed a light on the discrepancy of the two views and disprove the arguments of some of the critics who claimed their similarity. Firstly, the concept is explained in terms of different classifications according to the historical era they became prominent and the philosophers or philosophical movements the concept was associated with. Then Sartre’s existential humanism is discussed in relation with his “being-for-itself” and idea of human freedom. Sartre’s view of humanism is followed by Heideggereanhumanism which isstudied in association with Heidegger’s concepts of Dasein and Being. The investigation ends with the emphasis of the difference between Sartre’s and Heidegger’s views of humanism. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n6p665