Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism was published in 1947. In it he describes the aspects of existentialism as well as defends accusations made about existentialism. His main argument is "existence precedes essence." This means that we have the choice in everything we do. We are responsible for our destiny and we are nothing more than what we make of ourselves. The only choice we do not have is that of having choices; we are condemned to be free. This comes with consequences. It results in anguish, forlornness, and despair. The feeling of total and complete responsibility causes anguish. Forlornness is caused by having to face the consequences of complete freedom. Despair is the result of having to choose between different probabilities that arrive out of having a choice.
             Thee atheist existentialist believes there is no God. Without a God there is no human nature, morals or ethics built into humanity. "There is no human nature, since there is no God to conceive it." (25) Without human nature, "existence precedes essence." (23) There is no plan for man that exists before man exists himself. Man is left to make of his life, as he wants. "Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself." (25) There is complete freedom in everything a man chooses to do. He will choose his own destiny. "If existence really does precede essence, man is responsible for what he is." (25) Man is also responsible for humanity because every decision that is made as an individual has an impact on all of mankind. "We do not only mean that he is responsible for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men." (25-26) Every man sees what he thinks as the perfect man. And, every decision this man makes is based on that which he thinks is good and will !
             sculpt him into what is closer to that perfect man. "In creating the man that we want to be, there is not a ...