Existentialism According to Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism was published in 1947. In it he describes the aspects of existentialism as well as defends accusations made about existentialism. His main argument is "existence precedes essence." This means that we have the choice in everything we do. We are responsible for our destiny and we are nothing more than what we make of ourselves. The only choice we do not have is that of having choices; we are condemned to be free. This comes with consequences. It results in anguish, forlornness, and despair. The feeling of total and complete responsibility causes anguish. Forlornness is caused by having to face the consequences of complete freedom. Despair is the result of having to choose between different probabilities that arrive out of having a choice. Thee atheist existentialist believes there is no God. Without a God there is no human nature, morals or ethics built into humanity. "There is no human nature, since there is no God to conceive it." (25) Without human nature, "existence precedes essence." (23) There is no plan for man that exists before man exists himself. Man is left to make of his life, as he wants. "Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself." (25) There is complete free
Freedom, gives cause for anguish. When a man realizes that he is completely responsible for himself and all of mankind, he cannot help but feel deep responsibility. This brings on anguish. Everyone is anxious. Those who say they are not are hiding from their anguish. "There are many who are not anxious; but we claim they are hiding from their anxiety, that they are fleeing from it." (27) Anguish can lead to a person choosing not to choose. They give up their responsibilities in order to release the anguish. "There is no question here of a the kind of anguish which would lead to quietism, to inaction." (28) But the anguish never disappears; it will always catch up to the man that runs from it. Man has no choice, but to make choices. This is the only choice that does not have to be made because it has already been made. The atheist view is that man was created and thrown into this world by someone or something that is unknown. Once thrown into this world without a choice, the decision-making begins. "Man is condemned to be free. Condemned, because he did not create himself, yet, in other respects is free; because, once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." (29) A man has no choice but to mold the self into what a man and a nation of men ought to be. Jean-Paul Sartre. "Existentialism." In Foundation Year Handbook. University of King's College, 2000-01. Despair is the third consequence of "existence precedes essence." (23) In order to have a choice, there must be at least two options. Each option has a probability of an end. Having to choose which end has a safer probability leads to despair
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Approximate Word count = 1112
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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