Acknowledgments vii Introduction: Philosophies of Individualism 1 1 “Out, out, Brief Candle!”: What Do You Mean by Existentialism? 10 2 Like Cigarettes and Existentialism: Why There Is no Necessary Connection between Marxism and Sartre 33 3 To Consume or not to Consume?: How Existentialism Helps Capitalism 62 4 Why Nothing IsWrong: Moral Anti-realism 89 5 Not Going to Hell in a Handbasket: Existentialism and a World without Morality 112 6 What’s Mine Is Mine: Moral Anti-realism and Property Rights 132 7 Who’s Afraid of the Free Market?: Moral Anti-realism and the Minimal State 153 Conclusion: Not Your Father’s Existentialism 179 Select Bibliography 181 Index 193

In this incisive and engaging book, William Irwin defends three controversial views: that Sartre’s existentialism is a better fit with capitalism than with Marxism, that we need to go beyond the “final delusion” of objective morality, and that libertarian political theory should be put into practice. The result is a new synthesis: free market existentialism. With insights from Nietzsche, Sartre, Nozick, and Hayek, Irwin challenges many common assumptions about morality, natural rights, the role of government, the free market, economic inequality, and fairness. Not ending a debate but aiming to start one, Irwin proposes free market existentialism as a new competitor in the marketplace of ideas. With clear and accessible language that will resonate with students, scholars, and armchair philosophers alike, The Free Market Existentialist begins an essential philosophical conversation for the 21st century.

“William Irwin has transcended ideology and tribalism to unite a set of ideas that, for the first time, could end the rancor between the Left and the Right by reminding each of their shared values. This book will change the thinking of everyone interested in politics, economics, or religion—a game changing work.” —Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine, Presidential Fellow Chapman University, author of The Moral Arc.“Irwin offers a defense of free market existentialism that is very readable and refreshingly humble.” —Joel Marks, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of New Haven, author of Ethics without Morals: In Defence of Amorality and Bad Faith: A Philosophical Memoir“This is a first-rate book; gutsy and charmingly written, with a genuinely exciting central argument. Amoral-atheist-existentialist-capitalism is compelling and ahead of its time. Irwin has crystallized our forbidden thoughts, articulating them in an accessible way, showing why we should no longer keep quiet about them.” —Sharon M. Kaye, John Carroll University, author of Philosophy: A Complete Introduction“William Irwin skillfully rescues existentialism from the specter of collectivism, with which it never sat easily.” —Mark D. White, chair of the Department of Philosophy, College of Staten Island/CUNY, and author of Kantian Ethics and Economics: Autonomy, Dignity, and Character