Though it may seem odd coming from him, I think Sartre has some
life-lesson to give us. In “Existentialism is a Humanism” he gives humanity
full responsibility of its existence.His argument starts from two basic ideas: existence precedes essence and
man is condemned to be free.
"Atheistic existentialism, of which I am a representative, declares with greater consistency that if God does not exist there is at least one being whose existence comes before itsessence, a being which exists before it can be defined by any conception of it. That being is man or, as Heidegger has it, the human reality." Since existence precedes essence, there is no determinism and therefore man is free. His liberty resides in his becoming, which cannot be foreseen. "Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards." (Existentialism is a Humanism)
Being free, we are responsible for what we do, for ourselves but also for others. In fact, when we choose for ourselves, in choosing to be something, we confirm the value of our choice, since we can never choose wrong. We are aware that with every choice of ours, we are choosing for the whole of humanity. Because of this we are subject to anguish and this will make us carefully and thoroughly analyse every possibility we might have, so that we’ll make the right decision.
Therefore, Sartre here defines his existentialism as humanism since he considers man the “legislator” of himself, having full responsibility of his actions and of his future. We have the right, but especially the duty to re-invent ourselves and reach our essence, since this doesn’t precede existence but vice versa. His concentration on subjectivity, which seems to be the object of many critiques, is simply given by the importance of the choices we make for ourselves.Though his humanism and subjectivism are based on an existential nothingness, Sartre’s view on man seems quite optimistic, in that man’s destiny is in his own hands. He seems to remind us of the responsibility we have in taking action and making decisions, which are also going to affect others, and so must remind ourselves of this beforehand. He reminds us of the huge potential power we have in affecting the world.
"Atheistic existentialism, of which I am a representative, declares with greater consistency that if God does not exist there is at least one being whose existence comes before itsessence, a being which exists before it can be defined by any conception of it. That being is man or, as Heidegger has it, the human reality." Since existence precedes essence, there is no determinism and therefore man is free. His liberty resides in his becoming, which cannot be foreseen. "Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards." (Existentialism is a Humanism)
Being free, we are responsible for what we do, for ourselves but also for others. In fact, when we choose for ourselves, in choosing to be something, we confirm the value of our choice, since we can never choose wrong. We are aware that with every choice of ours, we are choosing for the whole of humanity. Because of this we are subject to anguish and this will make us carefully and thoroughly analyse every possibility we might have, so that we’ll make the right decision.
Therefore, Sartre here defines his existentialism as humanism since he considers man the “legislator” of himself, having full responsibility of his actions and of his future. We have the right, but especially the duty to re-invent ourselves and reach our essence, since this doesn’t precede existence but vice versa. His concentration on subjectivity, which seems to be the object of many critiques, is simply given by the importance of the choices we make for ourselves.Though his humanism and subjectivism are based on an existential nothingness, Sartre’s view on man seems quite optimistic, in that man’s destiny is in his own hands. He seems to remind us of the responsibility we have in taking action and making decisions, which are also going to affect others, and so must remind ourselves of this beforehand. He reminds us of the huge potential power we have in affecting the world.
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