Why did Jean-Paul Sartre question whether authentic communication between people was possible?

Jean-Paul Sartre questioned the possibility of authentic communication because he viewed human consciousness as fundamentally isolating. According to his philosophy, consciousness is not only a "nullification" of the world of things but also a nullification of other people as individuals.1

Sartre argued that when one person looks at another, they inevitably transform that person into an object—a "thing"—thereby stripping them of their own subjectivity. This dynamic renders true intersubjective connection impossible, as the relationship between individuals becomes a struggle where one must either objectify the other or be objectified in return. He illustrated this tension through his analysis of sexuality, which he characterized as fluctuating between sadism and masochism, as both modes involve treating oneself or another person as a mere object. Consequently, because consciousness inherently seeks to maintain its own freedom while confronting the "Other" as an obstacle, Sartre concluded that authentic, well-grounded communication between people cannot exist.12