What did Sartre mean by “bad faith” in discussions of human freedom?

In the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre, "bad faith" (mauvaise foi) refers to a form of self-deception or dishonesty in which individuals attempt to escape the burden of their radical freedom and responsibility.12

Because Sartre argued that "existence precedes essence," he believed humans are not defined by any predetermined purpose or nature. Instead, individuals are entirely free to choose their own actions and values. However, this absolute freedom carries the weight of total responsibility, which can be overwhelming.312

To avoid this anxiety, individuals may fall into "bad faith" by pretending they are not free. They do this by:1
* Claiming they are compelled to act in a certain way by their social role, past, or environment.31
* Attempting to view themselves as objects—or the "In-itself"—rather than as conscious, choosing beings (the "For-itself").2

By treating themselves as things that are acted upon by external forces rather than as agents who make choices, people in bad faith deny their own agency. For Sartre, living authentically requires acknowledging this inescapable freedom and taking full responsibility for one's choices, regardless of the limitations imposed by one's situation.21