Sartre's View On Existentialism

Existentialism is a Humanism, written by French philosopher Jean- Paul Sartre, was written in 1946 based on a lecture that Sartre gave at Club Maintenant in Paris in 1945. Existentialism is defined as “a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of will” (Merriam- Webster Dictionary). In Existentialism is a Humanism, Sartre portrays existentialism as an essentially optimistic philosophy. He uses key existentialist terms such as anguish, abandonment, and despair to defend his view as well as provide examples that help us to analyze his claim. After doing so, we can conclude that Sartre’s claim is wrong and existentialism

Humans are born with no purpose and later figure it out, creating their own purpose of life. Sartre uses the example of the paper knife to clearly show us his views on existentialism, and how the example shows us how existence precedes essence. The paper knife was created by someone with an intended purpose before it is created, and its essence is known pre-creation. A human being is created and further develops a meaning after being created. “This object was produced by a craftsman who drew inspiration from a concept: he referred both to the concept of what a paper knife is, and too a known production technique that is a part of that concept and is, by large, a formula” (20-21). He explains to his readers that the paper knife is an object that was created and also serves a purpose. His goal of the example of the paper knife is to show us that “… the essence of the paper knife- that is, the sum of the formulae and properties that enable it to be produced and defined- precedes its existence” (21). Sartre believes that for human beings, existence precedes essence, meaning that we exist and then find our meaning in life after we are created. Nothing can predetermine human being’s life goals or their character, while objects are created with a defined purpose

Anguish refers to both the decision making process, and the plan that comes with it. Sartre tells us, “Man is anguish. This is what they mean: a man who commits himself, and who realizes that he is not only the individual that he chooses to be, but also a legislator choosing at the same time what humanity as a whole should be, cannot help but be aware of his own full and profound responsibility” (25). By this, Sartre means that anguish is basically to know what responsibilities are as a whole. It is knowing what they are, how to handle them, and taking care of the things we are held responsible too. When we make decisions, it is important that there is a plan that comes with them. Sartre believes that people try and like to hide their own individual anguish but we all have it inside us. Sartre shows us this through the example of the military leader. When a military leader takes it upon himself to launch an attack and sends a number of men into war to fight to the death, it is his choice to do this. He is making this decision alone. The military leader will feel anguish, he has to deal with the situation and make decisions that will benefit the greater good. He has to make decisions to send his men into a battle where they may lose their lives, but are protecting the greater good of their country. There is responsibility that comes with anguish, and through his responsibilities he will feel bad and have pain.