Jean Paul Sartre´s Existential Philosophy Essay

In the reading “Existentialism is a Humanism”, the author Jean-Paul Sartre presents the idea of Existentialism. He introduces this idea by stating that man’s plan in this world is not pre-determined, as we only determine who we are or who we want to become throughout life. Sartre states that a person is what a person does. He also uses a metaphoric scenario of a man jumping on a scene before defining himself. These two ideas imply that man has no ultimate meaning, and it is up to us to find it through experience and by taking action. Additionally, Sartre also implies that humans have a huge responsibility on becoming who they want to become as it is only up to them to do so, making us entirely responsible for our existence.

Jean Paul Sartre was a existentialist philosopher who like other such philosophers, attempted to characterise man by his will, choices and decisions he makes

Yesterday, I enrolled for class. Now this decision was definite as I couldn’t go back and not enrol. However, the actual action of me actually attending was completely my choice; a conscious decision. Although it was compulsory to attend, nothing given could determine the outcome. John Paul Sartre an eminent existentialist, would argue that just because I made a commitment didn't necessarily mean I needed to follow through with it. Enrolling was part of the facticity of the in-itself. I had only made the decision, I had to follow through with an action. Sartre would contend that by forcing myself to attend if I didn’t want to would be trying to escape from my freedom. Sartre, stated that the basic principle of existentialism was existence precedes essence for human beings. In his essay, Existentialism is Humanism, Sartre attempts to answer the accusations. Essentially, he rejects the notion of any innate human nature; implying that because our essence comes to be after our existence, we are free to choose and live our lives accordingly. This essay will discuss Sartre’s explanation of the expression and the related implications.

Jean Paul Sartre’s wrote about Existentialism and human emotions, in his book Existentialism. It was fascinating to read a piece that questions your faith in God and the way you are living your life. Sartre wrote that he does not believe in human nature or essence that precedes individuals. He rather believes that our existence precedes our essence; we must create our own essence. Nothing, not God nor evolution, created us for any purpose other than the purpose we choose which means we have free will. Sartre knows that we are biological beings but that there is no general truths about what we should or ought to be. Humans are radically free because we have nothing that is truly stopping us from giving an action or idea. In his words, we are “condemned to be free.” Consciousness is also aware that it is not the objects it ponders, that many

Sartre’s stance that human existence precedes essence directly ties into his notion of rational freedom and responsibility. Existence precedes essence means that there is no predetermined human essence and that there is no human nature fixed in advance of human existence. Furthermore, if I create my essence then I am wholly responsible for the person that I am. In other words, one could say that humans exist and subsequently make themselves who they are by their actions, choices, as well as creating an image of what men ought to be. “Man simple is” (Sartre 28). When we are born we have no essence, but through experiences

Existentialism is a philosophy in which people believe that their actions determine their own expansion as a person. The Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia states, “Sartre nevertheless insisted that his existentialism is a form of humanism, and he strongly emphasized human freedom, choice, and responsibility”

Sartre believes we only have this brief time to enjoy life on earth. If he is correct, then we should make choices that will help us make the most of our time on earth. There are many different people who live on earth and everyone has different views on what is morally correct; however, for the most part, everyone has similar views on what is ethically correct. Existentialism according to Sartre is existence preceding essence, so in other words, we accidently obtain our essence, meaning our culture and experiences. According to Sartre’s philosophy, behaving ethically is determined by following two rules, “Rule #1: Life a live that serves as an ethical model to anyone who might copy your actions. Rule #2: Avoid causing deliberate/intentional pain to others” (Sartre notes). So basically, live your life how you want to live your life, but be aware and conscious of how one's own actions can impede on the happiness of others. I know this girl; her name is Rebecca. According to Sartre’s philosophy she is living an inauthentic life she is taking away from others happiness by ignoring her actions

In his 1946 essay Existentialism, Jean-Paul Sartre undertakes the task of defending existentialism against what he defines as “charges” (341) brought against it. Sartre begins to outline the “charges” brought against existentialism and further, existentialists. Following the medieval quaestio-form, Sartre begins with the statement of the objection, a short discussion, and then his reply to each.

To support this claim, Sartre gives the example of Cocteau’s story Round the world in 80 Hours and the phrase “Man is magnificent!” Sartre rejects this claim, that “Man is magnificent,” because it is invalid to transcribe the accomplishments of one person onto another because in doing so, it assumes that all people are the same and confines them into the definition of others, not what they define themselves as. However, existentialism is a form of humanism in the sense that existentialism promotes the concept of abandonment, that each person is left to their own devices and must decide who and what they are. Additionally, each person creates their own value by looking outside one’s self, and constantly reflecting on how to improve - everybody has the potential to be great, not just a select

Oxford English Dictionary defines “humanism” as “any system of thought or ideology which places humanity as a whole, at its center, especially one which stresses the inherent value and potential of human life.” In Sartre’s lecture, “Existentialism is a humanism,” not only Sartre’s elaboration of humanism is coherent with the notion of “humanism,” but also his demonstration of “existentialism” as one kind of humanisms is cogent. In contrast with those Aristotelians and Thomists who believe that essence (in this case, the human nature predetermined by God) precedes existence, Sartre, as an atheist, claims that “man exists before he can be defined by any concept of it.” As an atheist myself, I am convinced by Sartre’s view on human value and potential that man is constantly in the making, and it is through this process that man realizes and defines himself.

     Jean Paul Sartre personally believed in the philosophical idea of existentialism, which is demonstrated in his play No Exit. His ideas of existentialism were profoundly outlined in the play. Based on the idea that mental torture is more agonizing than physical, No Exit leaves the reader with mixed emotions towards the importance of consequences for one’s acts.

Jean Sartre uses elements of existentialism in No exit to function as a metaphor for the hellish impact of war. Sartre employs imagery, allusion, and imprisonment in order to express the tragedies and complexities of living under Nazi occupation.

For this paper, both movies used to explain Existentialism are adapted from real stories. The first film is Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed and the second is Into the Wild, starring Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless. In Sartre’s definition of existentialism, human existence precedes essence, therefore leading to meaning, purpose and identity. When Chris and Cheryl leave their family, friends and everything else they know from the society, they are attempting to find a meaning and purpose to their lives.

Sartre is one of the constructors of the philosophy of existence that is existentialism. Humans must first be born and exist before they are able to define their essence. He

Jean-Paul Sartre was an influential 20th century existentialist who mostly acquired information on the study of consciousness and the study of being. Sartre spent many years studying philosophy and the existence of God mostly studying the works of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. He became a Professor of Philosophy at Le Havre in 1931 and then began teaching at Lycée Pasteur in Paris from 1937 to 1939. During his career, Sartre wrote about many philosophical theories, some notable books include La nausée published in 1938, Being and Nothingness published in 1943, and many more lectures and literature for individuals to read for years to come. Sartre was an important figure of existentialism and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1964 but turned it down. Some of Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist principles are the act of free will, forced to take responsibility for all actions, and the existence of God.