Question

The three question response posts must have a minimum of 200 words each and must directly quote and properly cite (using MLA format) from the assigned textbook readings.

5. What does Sartre mean when he says “existence precedes essence”? Do you think this is a correct characterization of the human condition? Why or why not?

6. Do you agree that if “God does not exist, everything is permitted?” Why or why not?

7. In what sense is existentialism empowering, and in what sense is it burdensome, or even terrifying? Do you see yourself as an existentialist? Why or why not?

Answer 1

5. Sartre when he said “existence precedes essence” means that in case of human beings the existence of them comes first and then when they enter the world on where they exist it is then through their interaction with the people and their surrounding that their essence forms.

In my opinion, this is a correct characterization of a human condition because, when we are born, we are just a tiny human being with a free brain and soul. It is only the hunger and the protection from cold and getting the basic necessities done that we are worried about or what we get disturbed about. We respond to the same with a cry.

On the go, as a result of responding to our surrounding and the people in that, we tend to learn a language which we are continuously listening to. Eventually on the go we also develop certain basic characteristics, ethics and many other elements of behavior which may be good or bad. And this would solely make us who we are. This is what our essence is.

It is believed and argued by Sartre that, all human beings are free to interact with the surrounding and the people, even though strangers and make our own choices where in actual our responsibility and freedom also lays. And this is where the right and bad in our behavior also lies. So in short whatever we do, say good or bad is our own choice and that is what ‘existence precedes essence’ means and that’s what human condition is.

6. No, I do not agree with the statement that if “God does not exist, everything is permitted.”

This is because the existence or nonexistence of God is not the baseline for measuring the actions and the possible results of man’s action. Any action of man which would or likely is to cause the life of another human being or any life for that matter in a negative manner should not be permitted.

Measuring our action on the basis of religion will not call the right and wrong in everything. Earth and this environment belong to every life and being on its face. And it is each of ours duty to protect the less privileged and the home for many animals which exists helpless.

It is when we connect and try to explain the existence of God and religion that we tend to run away from the reality and our responsibilities towards the fellow beings on this earth and its face. If we are able to think without connecting any of our responsibilities to the God and religion and only to our responsibility, then everything would easily fall in place and we would not even be saying such a statement like if there is no God existing then everything would be permitted. The only thing as the privileged we should understand and preach is that anything that would affect others are prohibited and not permitted in the court of anyone be it God or anyone else.

7. Existentialism is empowering in the sense that we as human beings are free to make our own choice and live with a free will by not getting caught in the arms of tradition and law of nature. The existentialists would not be affected by any social criticisms and they tend to live authentic. It becomes terrifying or burdensome when the person gets caught in between the arms of the family and the wish for being free. At certain points we as human beings would need support and the warmth of family. Here we cannot be stay as an individual alone and an existentialist.

I don’t see myself as existentialists in all the sense as in my life there are both situations where I exist according to my choice. But there are also instances where I depend and go inside the family’s ambit and the society’s cocoon also. So as an individual I cannot tag myself as an existentialist. And I believe that 8 out of the 10 human beings will have a perfect mix of an existentialist and a society oriented personality. Hence I would conclude myself to be a mixture of both these ideologies.