John Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre says "man is nothing else but what he makes of himself" (762). This existentialist view depicts the idea that one is not based on the essence of a soul, but rather, based on decisions made throughout life. Sartre also believes that every man is responsible for all men. One may choose his marriage partner, however, in choosing to marry, one chooses monogamy. Decisions that individuals make will collectively create a set of principles and beliefs for all of man. Many people believe that a person's decisions are a reflection of his soul and personality. However, it is more likely that the conclusion a person reaches is due to the influence of different ideas, as well as the circumstances surrounding the choices. One does not have an innate "essence", but instead, the choices that a person makes constantly shape his character, which in turn creates his essence.Decision-making is based on many different conditions and controlling factors that exist at the time of conflict. People take into consideration the thoughts and opinions of others, hindering the idea of an individual's essence. If an essence really existed, another person's thoughts would not affect someone else's. Inste
This exemplifies the point that man is the product of his actions and has complete control over his own life. If God does not exist, then there is no moral code to follow, therefore all men are free. Situations create the future and therefore hopes and dreams are a mere loss of reality. By living an existential life a person can detach himself from the idea of expectations and hopes, and instead, choose the right paths that will lead him to his desires. Sartre believes that man is condemned because he did not choose to exist, but is also free because he is completely responsible for his actions. Also, one's choices and decisions create a code for all of man. People will follow laws because they created them. Instead, existentialism prompts a person to become liable for his choices. Sartre explains this by saying, "the coward is defined on the basis of the acts he performs" (771). One cannot say, "I have had bad luck" because existentialism does not believe in fortune or misfortune, but only in personal decisions. Sartre also says "a man who lies and makes excuses for himself by saying 'not everybody does that,' is someone with an uneasy conscience, because the act of lying implies that a universal value is conferred upon the lie" (764). There is no longer the sense of "God judging man" so one must make his own decisions and based on them he is "condemned to be free" (765-766). Sartre also says, "Man is nothing else than his plan; he exists only to the extent that he fulfills himself; he is therefore nothing else than the ensemble of his acts, nothing else than his life" (769). This also manifests the feeling of control within the community. If a person knows that there are consequences for every choice, then more thought will be placed behind the decision.
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Acceptance Essays
