Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode covers Jean-Paul Sartre's pivotal lecture "Existentialism is a Humanism," clarifying its core tenets and defending the philosophy against common misconceptions.
There are three key takeaways from this discussion on Sartre's work. First, human existence precedes essence, meaning choices define who we are. Second, the absence of pre-defined meaning grants radical freedom, not despair. Third, individual choices carry universal responsibility, creating a model for humanity.
Sartre posits that existence precedes essence. Unlike manufactured objects with a pre-set purpose, humans first exist, then define their nature through their choices and actions. We become the sum of what we do.
The absence of a divine plan or universal moral code is not a cause for pessimism. Instead, it forms the foundation of human freedom, compelling individuals to invent their own values and ethics. This absence of pre-determination is the source of our power to create destiny.
This freedom brings profound responsibility, known as anguish. Every personal choice creates a model for all humanity, embodying a universal image of what it means to be human. In choosing for oneself, one chooses for all people, shaping the collective human condition.
Sartre's philosophy thus emphasizes the profound weight and freedom inherent in human existence, urging radical responsibility for one's life.
Episode Overview
- The video provides an introduction to Jean-Paul Sartre's famous 1945 lecture, "Existentialism is a Humanism," explaining its purpose to clarify and defend existentialism against common misconceptions.
- It breaks down Sartre's defense against four major charges leveled against his philosophy: that it is bourgeois (quietist), pessimistic, subjectivist (individualistic), and nihilistic.
- The speaker explains Sartre's central tenet, "existence precedes essence," contrasting human beings with manufactured objects to illustrate the concept.
- The video touches on key existentialist concepts that arise from this core idea, including anguish, abandonment (forlornness), and the profound responsibility of human freedom.
Key Concepts
- "Existentialism is a Humanism": A 1945 lecture by Jean-Paul Sartre intended to address popular misunderstandings and defend the philosophy from its critics.
- Charges Against Existentialism: The video outlines four main criticisms that Sartre refutes:
- Bourgeois/Quietist: The accusation that existentialism promotes political inaction. Sartre counters that it is a philosophy of action, as every choice constitutes an action.
- Pessimistic: The charge that it is a gloomy philosophy focused on despair and meaninglessness. Sartre argues it is optimistic because it grants humans the power to create their own destiny.
- Subjectivist/Individualist: The idea that it isolates individuals. Sartre refutes this by emphasizing intersubjectivity and the idea that in choosing for ourselves, we choose for all humanity.
- Nihilistic: The belief that if God does not exist, nothing matters. Sartre argues the opposite: without God, humans are the sole source of value, making their choices and lives even more significant.
- Existence Precedes Essence: Sartre's most famous formulation, meaning that humans first exist, encounter themselves in the world, and only then define their nature ("essence") through their choices and actions. This is contrasted with manufactured objects, where the idea or design (essence) comes before the object is created (existence).
- Anguish (Anxiety): The feeling of total and profound responsibility, not just for one's own life, but for all of humanity, as each choice creates an image of what it means to be human.
- Abandonment (Forlornness): The consequence of atheism in Sartre's view. Without God or a universal moral code, humans are "abandoned" to their freedom and must invent their own values and ethics alone.
- The Human Condition: While Sartre rejects a pre-defined "human nature," he acknowledges a universal "human condition" — the necessary limitations and situations (like being in the world, working, and dying) that frame human freedom.
Quotes
- At 01:11 - "He's trying to defend existentialism against a few major charges." - Introducing the primary goal of Sartre's lecture and the structure of the video's explanation.
- At 04:01 - "In choosing for ourselves, Sartre thinks, we choose for all people because we are actively involved in the collective process of creating the human condition." - Explaining how Sartre moves from individual subjectivism to a universal sense of responsibility.
- At 06:54 - "'Existence precedes essence.'" - Highlighting the central, iconic formula that Sartre uses to define his existentialist philosophy.
Takeaways
- Embrace radical responsibility for your actions, recognizing that even inaction is a choice. You are nothing but what you make of yourself through the sum of your actions.
- View the absence of a pre-determined path or universal moral code not as a source of despair, but as the foundation of your freedom to create your own values and define your own life.
- Understand that your personal choices carry universal weight. When you make a choice, you are not just choosing for yourself; you are presenting a model of how a human being should be, making you responsible for all of humanity.
