This week member and facilitator Frances Owen, delves into the profound impact of Simone de Beauvoir on existentialism and feminist theory. You can join Frances’s insightful discussions in her monthly Book club at The Joy Club by booking here: Book Club.
Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, social theorist and feminist activist. Though she did not consider herself a philosopher, nor was she considered one at the time of her death, she has had a significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist theory.
Born: 9 January 1908, 6th arrondissement of Paris
Died: 14 April 1986 (age 78 years), Paris
Adopted daughter: Sylvie Le Bon-de Beauvoir
Main influences: Jean Paul Sartre and philosophers including Nietzsche, Kant, Descartes and Marx
Parental influence: Writing of her youth in Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter, she said: “…my father’s individualism and pagan ethical standards were in complete contrast to the rigidly moral conventionalism of my mother’s teaching. This disequilibrium, which made my life a kind of endless disputation, is the main reason why I became an intellectual”.
Partners: Jean-Paul Sartre (1929–1980; his death)
Nelson Algren – American writer (1947–1964)
Claude Lanzmann – French film maker and editor of De Beauvoir’s and Sartre’s journal Les Temps Modernes (1952–1959)
Main books/works
- L’Invitée (1943) (She Came to Stay) [novel]
- Le Sang des autres (1945) (The Blood of Others) [novel]
- Le Deuxième Sexe (1949) (The Second Sex) [nonfiction]
- Les Mandarins (1954) (The Mandarins) [novel]
- Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter (1958)
- Les Belles Images (1966) [novel]
- The Woman Destroyed (1967) [short stories]
- The Coming of Age (1970) [nonfiction]
- All Said and Done (1972)
- Old Age (1972) [nonfiction]
- Adieux: A Farewell to Sartre (1981)
- Letters to Sartre (1990)
- Philosophical Writings (2004) (ed. Margaret A Simonds)
- Journal de guerre, Sept 1939 – Jan 1941 (1990); English – Wartime Diary (2009)
- Diary of a Philosophy Student, 1926–27 (2006)
Key themes of Simone de Beauvoir’s work
- Existentialism: de Beauvoir is most often associated with existentialism, a philosophical movement concerned with individual freedom, responsibility and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Exploring themes such as authenticity, ambiguity and the struggle to define one’s identity, de Beauvoir’s existentialist philosophy emphasises the inherent freedom of human beings. She argues that individuals are not bound by predetermined essence or fate but are instead free to make choices and define themselves through their actions. This existential freedom forms the basis of her critique of social and political structures that limit individual autonomy and perpetuate oppression.
- Feminism: de Beauvoir is considered one of the foundational figures of modern feminism. In her seminal work The Second Sex (quote: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”), she critically examines the social, cultural and historical construction of womanhood, arguing for women’s liberation from oppressive patriarchal structures. She challenges the traditional gender roles and patriarchal structures that limit women’s choices and opportunities, advocating for gender equality and the recognition of women’s rights as human rights. She also addresses issues such as reproductive rights, gender roles and the intersectionality of gender with race and class.
- Freedom and agency: de Beauvoir’s philosophy emphasises the importance of individual freedom and agency. She contends that human beings are fundamentally free, but this freedom is often constrained by social, political and cultural forces. She explores the complexities of freedom, autonomy and moral responsibility in her existentialist writings and ethical inquiries, and advocates for political engagement as a means to expand individual freedom and promote social justice. She emphasises the importance of collective action and solidarity in confronting systems of oppression and inequality. Her existentialist ethics call for taking responsibility for one’s actions and actively working towards a more just and equitable society.
- The Other: de Beauvoir’s concept of “The Other” refers to the experience of encountering and relating to other individuals as distinct subjects with their own perspectives, desires and experiences. She explores the dynamics of intersubjectivity, empathy and ethical reciprocity in relationships, emphasising the need to recognise and respect the autonomy of others.
- Ethics and morality: de Beauvoir engages in ethical inquiry, particularly in The Ethics of Ambiguity, where she explores the ethical implications of existentialist philosophy. She argues for an ethics based on freedom, responsibility and solidarity, rejecting both absolute moral principles and moral relativism.
- Literature and writing: de Beauvoir was a prolific writer of fiction, memoirs, essays and philosophical treatises. Her literary works often reflect and complement her philosophical ideas, exploring themes such as love, friendship, identity and the complexities of human relationships. De Beauvoir’s writing style is characterised by its clarity, intellectual rigor and passionate engagement with existential concerns.
- Old age: de Beauvoir’s exploration of old age is primarily found in her later works, particularly in her autobiographical writings and essays. Her reflections focus on the experience of aging, challenging stereotypes and societal norms while affirming the significance of older individuals’ lives. She reflects on the challenges of maintaining a coherent sense of self in the face of physical and existential changes associated with aging.
Quote from The Ethics of Ambiguity:
“Regardless of the staggering dimensions of the world about us, the density of our ignorance, the risks of catastrophes to come and our individual weakness within the immense collectivity, the fact remains that we are absolutely free today if we choose to will our existence in its finiteness, a finiteness which is open on the infinite. And in fact, any man who has known real loves, real revolts, real desires and real will knows quite well that he has no need of any outside guarantee to be sure of his goals; their certitude comes from his own drive.”
Other famous quotes from her writings:
“All oppression creates a state of war; this is no exception.”
“One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion.”
“Each of us is responsible for everything and to every human being.”
“In itself, homosexuality is as limiting as heterosexuality: the ideal should be to be capable of loving a woman or a man; either, a human being, without feeling fear, restraint or obligation.”
“Man is defined as a human being and woman as a female – whenever she behaves as a human being she is said to imitate the male.”