Positioning Sartre for Success

Sartre remains an exemplary case for the sociology of intellectuals because of the unique way that he combined a prominent role in public life with achievements as a philosopher, novelist and playwright. Sartre's success has been examined by Patrick Baert through the lens of his theory of positioning, according to which specific actions and events serve to give a writer the edge in unfolding social games of recognition. This article argues that Baert's scepticism about Sartre's motives spills over into unwarranted cynicism and that this is made possible by methodological ambiguity surrounding the role of intentions in positioning theory. Baert's narrow periodisation of Sartre's success, and his insinuation that in the immediate post-occupation period Sartre betrayed his earlier philosophical ideas in pursuit of public attention are both rejected. At the same time the discussion finds that, detached from Baert's negative interpretation of Sartre, the idea of positioning may have potential for further development.