Most objects are made with a purpose. A letter opener is designed to open letters; its "essence" (purpose) comes before its "existence." Sartre argues humans are the exception. We show up first, and only then do we define who we are through our choices. You aren't born a "hero" or a "coward"—you become one through your actions. 2. The Two Ways of Being Sartre divides the world into two categories:
Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1943 masterpiece is famous for two things: its massive length and its life-changing (if slightly dizzying) philosophy. At its core, the book explores what it means to be human in a world without a pre-written script. 1. "Existence Precedes Essence" Being and Nothingness: An Essay on Phenomenolog...
To escape the pressure of freedom, we often lie to ourselves. We say, "I have no choice," or "That’s just the way I am." Sartre calls this . It’s when we pretend we are "in-itself" (like a rock) rather than "for-itself." Whether you’re playing the role of a "perfect waiter" or a "victim of circumstance," you’re hiding from your own power to change. 5. The Look of the Other Most objects are made with a purpose