Existentialism Is a Humanism
Quick Summary
Existentialism, as articulated by Jean-Paul Sartre in Existentialism Is a Humanism, posits that "existence precedes essence." This means humans are not born with a predetermined purpose or nature. Instead, individuals are radically free and define themselves through their choices and actions.12
Sartre argued that without God, humans are entirely responsible for creating their own meaning and values. This freedom, however, can be a source of anguish, as individuals must confront the vastness of their choices and the absence of external guidance. The concept of "bad faith" describes the denial of this freedom and responsibility, often by blaming external circumstances or a fixed nature for one's actions.13
While existentialism emphasizes individual freedom, it also acknowledges the interconnectedness of human existence and the world. Sartre's later work sought to reconcile this individual freedom with the realities of social justice and historical context.435
- existentialism - Manner and style of human existence
- history of ethics - Existentialism
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- existentialism - Ontic structure of human existence
- continental philosophy - Sartre
- existentialism - Humanity and human relationships
- Western philosophy - The existentialism of Jaspers and Sartre
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