Exam 33: Jean-Paul Sartre

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -What is role of subjectivity, in Sartre's philosophy? In what sense are our ethical judgments subjective, in Sartre's view? Is ethics really subjective in this way? Defend your answer.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -According to Sartre, existentialism leads to a form of quietism.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre claims that according to existentialism, there is no reality except in:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -In Sartre's view, when a person chooses how to act, he is choosing only for himself and no one else.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre writes, "In choosing myself, I choose man." What does he mean by this, and how does he argue for it? Do you agree that we have the kind of responsibility that Sartre claims we do?

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -According to Sartre, the existentialist finds the fact that God does not exist:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Why are some people horrified by existentialism, according to Sartre? What is your reaction to existentialism? Do you find the view plausible?

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre claims that if existentialism is correct, then:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -What is the relationship between God and morality, according to Sartre? Is objective morality possible only if God exists? Why or why not?

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre claims that if existence precedes essence, then:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -By anguish, Sartre means:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -According to Sartre, the term existentialism belongs only to atheists.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre claims that the biblical figure Abraham provides an illustration of forlornness.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -When asked to give ethical guidance to his student, Sartre simply claimed, "You're free, choose, that is, invent."

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre claims that a person is nothing more than:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Sartre claims that when he speaks of forlornness, he means that:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -What all existentialists have in common, according to Sartre, is the view that:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -In the case Sartre presents, his student is torn between:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -In Sartre's view, when one chooses how to live one is choosing:

Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism Is a Humanism Sartre defines existentialism as the view that "existence precedes essence." To explain this definition, Sartre considers the example of manufactured objects, such as books or paper cutters. Such objects are produced in accordance with a preexisting plan, which specifies their nature and their intended use. In this sense, their essence precedes their existence. Human beings, Sartre contends, are different from such objects in a critical way. In Sartre's view, there is no human nature because there is no God to conceive of it. Instead, humans find themselves existing with no predetermined purpose or essential nature. As a consequence, we must invent ourselves in the absence of any objective standards to legitimate our decisions. That we find ourselves in the world without a predetermined essence, presents each one of us with the full weight of responsibility. Each of us must choose what we are to be, for we are nothing but what we make of ourselves. In so choosing, however, we are not choosing merely for ourselves. To choose to be something, Sartre claims, is to affirm that thing as valuable, not just for oneself but for all people. Thus, each of our choices commits us to "an image of man as we think he ought to be." To acknowledge this is to be in a state of anguish, for we naturally feel unqualified to impose our own ideals on others. Nonetheless, we have no choice - this is a consequence of our freedom, and we are "condemned to be free." Existentialism, Sartre concludes, is a philosophy that provides no excuses. Each of us is wholly responsible for who we are, and for choosing the standards by which we will guide our lives. If we fail to make something of ourselves, we have no one to blame but ourselves. -What two kinds of existentialism does Sartre distinguish? What does he claim that they have in common? Explain this view.