John Paul Satre
Essence and Existentialism
"What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence? We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards. If man as the existentialist sees him is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then he will be what he makes of himself... Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. That is the first principle of existentialism." (Sartre, Existentialism and Humanism, p.28)
Throughout my essay, I intend to examine this statement by Jean Paul Sartre and look in depth at the connotations of the statement. Furthermore, I will analyse the difference between the idea that there is no pre set essence that defines humankind and the idea that humankind and human beings must define themselves. I shall also examine which of the thesis’ Sartre offers I agree with more.
The principle of the thesis of existentialism is that essence comes before existence in the sense that a reason or objective exists before the object to carry out that objective does. However, Sartre claims that for human beings this is in the wrong order completely.
This is because in the case of humans, existence comes before essence. A new born baby is born before a reason for its existence is created. Sartre’s claims that existence comes before essence involves two arguments, one negative and one positive argument.
The negative aspects of Sartre’s arguments are encapsulated in his analogy involving the paper knife. In this example, Sartre offers the opinion that he believes man starts off with no essence and evolves an essence as life goes on. In comparison, an artisan will manufacture a paper knife with the objective of cutting things. Moreover, Sartre claims that this is proof that there is no god or divine creator and the fact that human beings are created with no predetermined essence . Sartre
"What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence? We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards. If man as the existentialist sees him is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then he will be what he makes of himself... Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. That is the first principle of existentialism." (Sartre, Existentialism and Humanism, p.28)
Throughout my essay, I intend to examine this statement by Jean Paul Sartre and look in depth at the connotations of the statement. Furthermore, I will analyse the difference between the idea that there is no pre set essence that defines humankind and the idea that humankind and human beings must define themselves. I shall also examine which of the thesis’ Sartre offers I agree with more.
The principle of the thesis of existentialism is that essence comes before existence in the sense that a reason or objective exists before the object to carry out that objective does. However, Sartre claims that for human beings this is in the wrong order completely.
This is because in the case of humans, existence comes before essence. A new born baby is born before a reason for its existence is created. Sartre’s claims that existence comes before essence involves two arguments, one negative and one positive argument.
The negative aspects of Sartre’s arguments are encapsulated in his analogy involving the paper knife. In this example, Sartre offers the opinion that he believes man starts off with no essence and evolves an essence as life goes on. In comparison, an artisan will manufacture a paper knife with the objective of cutting things. Moreover, Sartre claims that this is proof that there is no god or divine creator and the fact that human beings are created with no predetermined essence . Sartre