Sartre’s Philosophy of Man

 Jean-Paul Sartre’s philosophy of man centers on the themes of loneliness, freedom, responsibility, and the struggles inherent in human relationships. He portrays human existence as fundamentally absurd, with no predetermined purpose, leaving individuals isolated and burdened by the weight of their own freedom.

The Lonely Exile

Sartre argues that human beings are essentially alone in an indifferent world. There is no inherent meaning to life, which leads to a sense of alienation. This loneliness is like moving to a new city where no one knows or welcomes you—you exist, but you do not truly belong. Sartre illustrates this in his works, such as The Flies, where Orestes compares his isolation to that of a leper, and The Reprieve, where a character likens himself to light slipping over stones, never truly touching anything.

Freedom: The Power to Choose

Despite the absurdity of existence, Sartre sees one saving grace—freedom. Unlike inanimate objects, human beings have the ability to make choices. A rock remains a rock, but a person can change their destiny. For example, if two students fail an exam, one may study harder while the other may give up and blame fate. Sartre would argue that the first student embraces their freedom, whereas the second avoids responsibility. This power is also evident in The Flies, where Orestes realizes, “I am free, Electra!” acknowledging that morality is not dictated by external forces but is a personal responsibility.

Condemned to Be Free

While freedom may seem liberating, Sartre views it as an inescapable burden. We do not choose to be born, but once we exist, we must make decisions—there is no way to avoid responsibility. His famous statement, “I am condemned to be free,” highlights this dilemma. Every action we take sets an example for others, shaping the world around us. For instance, if someone lies, they contribute to a society where lying is more acceptable. Even in difficult moral dilemmas, like deciding between two harmful outcomes, one must choose and bear the consequences.

The Escape from Freedom: Bad Faith

Since absolute freedom is overwhelming, many people try to avoid it, deceiving themselves into believing they have no choice. Sartre calls this self-deception bad faith (mauvaise foi). A worker who claims they “have no choice” but to stay in a job they hate or a person who remains in an unhappy relationship because they believe it is their fate are examples of this. In Sartre’s view, such individuals are avoiding responsibility and are, in a sense, living dishonestly.

The Struggle for Power in Relationships

Sartre believes that all human relationships are doomed to fail because they are power struggles. Each person wants to maintain their own freedom while also seeking control over others. This creates dynamics of sadism (where one person enjoys power over another) and masochism (where one person willingly surrenders their freedom).

In the workplace, a boss may dominate employees, or an employee may enjoy following orders, giving up personal responsibility. Romantic relationships face similar struggles—one partner may want control while the other submits, leading to an imbalance. Even parent-child relationships reflect this conflict: as children grow, they seek independence while parents struggle to maintain authority. Sartre argues that true equality in relationships is impossible, as individuals are always caught between the desire for autonomy and the need for connection.

The Useless Passion: The Conflict Between Stability and Freedom

Human beings, according to Sartre, are caught in a contradictory existence—longing for both stability (a clear identity) and freedom (the ability to change). However, these desires oppose each other. If someone seeks absolute freedom, they lose stability; if they seek stability, they sacrifice freedom. This creates what Sartre calls a “useless passion”—a desire for something that can never be fully achieved.

For example, a person may want a secure career but also yearn to explore new passions. If they choose stability, they may feel trapped, but if they choose freedom, they may feel lost. Similarly, someone in love may wish for their partner’s affection to remain unchanged forever, yet also want their love to be freely given. Fame presents the same paradox—people seek recognition but then realize they have lost the freedom to be themselves. Sartre suggests that this existential conflict is a fundamental part of human life.

The Only Solution: Accepting Despair

Since human beings are doomed to desire the impossible, Sartre argues that the only way forward is to accept despair and move beyond it. He expresses this through Orestes in The Flies: “Human life begins on the other side of despair.” This means that real life starts when we stop chasing illusions and embrace the reality of freedom and responsibility.

For example, a person struggling with an identity crisis—whether questioning their career, beliefs, or purpose—might feel lost. But once they accept that there is no fixed identity, they can fully embrace their freedom and live authentically. Most people, however, struggle to face this truth. Instead, they escape it by conforming to societal rules, following rigid traditions, or convincing themselves that their life has a fixed meaning. Sartre views this as self-deception—a way to avoid the anxiety of true freedom.

Living Authentically

Sartre’s philosophy presents a bleak but liberating view of human existence. While loneliness, responsibility, and conflict are inevitable, we are free to define our own meaning. Instead of hiding behind societal expectations, we must embrace our freedom and take responsibility for our choices. The challenge is to live authentically, without self-deception, even in the face of absurdity.

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