Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was one of the greatest philosophers of the Twentieth century. Also a renowned novelist, dramatist, and political activist and literary critic his work brought the philosophy of existentialism to world-wide attention. His most famous texts, especially Being and Nothingness and his novel Nausea, are read throughout the world in hundreds of languages. His philosophical work on the emotions, imagination and consciousness and self-consciousness is now regarded as foundational and the subject of intense study and debate.

In this comprehensive, clear introduction Kenneth Williford unpacks and explains Sartre's philosophy, covering the following key topics:

• Sartre's philosophical background and his grounding in the philosophy of Husserl, Bergson and French philosophy of the early 20th century, essential for understanding the genesis of his subsequent work
• consciousness, intentionality and perception
• consciousness and self-consciousness
• the autobiographical ego
• the emotions
• the imagination and the imaginary
• negation, nothingness and bad faith
• embodiment and facticity
• freedom and Sartre's existential psychoanalysis
• Sartre's ethical theory.

The addition of chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary of technical terms make this an indispensable introduction to Sartre's philosophy. It will also be useful to those in related disciplines such as politics, sociology, literature, religion and French studies.