Sartre: Concept of Freedom, Bad Faith, and Humanism

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand Sartre’s concept of freedom in the context of existentialist philosophy.
2. Examine the notion of bad faith and how it relates to individual autonomy.
3. Explore Sartrean humanism and its implications for ethics and society.
4. Identify the connections between freedom, bad faith, and humanism in Sartre’s philosophical system.

Sartre’s Concept of Freedom

Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism is deeply rooted in the concept of freedom, which forms the bedrock of his philosophical inquiry. He views freedom not merely as an abstract metaphysical idea but as an existential reality that shapes the human condition. In Sartre’s framework, freedom is not just the ability to make choices; it is the essence of human existence.

1. Freedom as Existence Preceding Essence: Sartre famously posits that “existence precedes essence,” meaning that humans are born without any preordained purpose or essence. Unlike objects or tools designed for specific functions, humans create their essence through actions. Freedom is intrinsic to this existential state because it grants individuals the power to define themselves.

2. Radical Freedom: Sartre extends the concept of freedom to what he calls radical freedom, where humans are free to the point of bearing the full responsibility for every choice they make. This radical freedom places immense burden and responsibility on the individual, as each decision is seen as a reflection of their entire being. Sartre underscores that freedom cannot be relinquished, even in situations where external constraints are imposed, such as in oppressive regimes. The individual still retains the freedom to choose their attitude towards such constraints.

3. Freedom and Situational Context: While Sartre champions freedom, he acknowledges that freedom operates within certain situational contexts. These situations include one’s historical moment, social class, cultural identity, and psychological dispositions. However, despite these situational factors, Sartre argues that the individual remains free to interpret and act upon these constraints. For example, one may be born into poverty, but it is still up to the individual to decide how to respond to this circumstance.

4. Condemnation to be Free: Sartre often emphasizes that humans are “condemned to be free.” This phrase highlights the existential condition where humans are always forced to choose, and even choosing not to choose is a form of choice. Freedom, in Sartre’s view, is both an opportunity and a burden, a duality that shapes the human experience.

Bad Faith (Mauvaise Foi)

The concept of bad faith is one of the most critical elements in Sartre’s existentialism, illustrating how individuals frequently deny their own freedom by living in self-deception. Bad faith occurs when a person refuses to acknowledge the full extent of their freedom and responsibility, often to escape the discomfort that accompanies radical freedom.

1. Self-Deception and Lying to Oneself: In bad faith, individuals engage in a form of self-deception where they lie to themselves to escape the anxiety of making choices. Sartre argues that bad faith is a paradox because while lying to others involves an acknowledgment of the truth (since one must know the truth to lie about it), lying to oneself is inherently contradictory. It is the act of being simultaneously aware and unaware of the truth of one’s situation.

2. The Waiter Example: One of Sartre’s most famous illustrations of bad faith is the example of the waiter. In this scenario, the waiter adopts the role of a waiter so completely that he starts to see himself only as a waiter, ignoring his broader freedom as a human being. He performs his duties with exaggerated precision, masking the freedom he has to define his existence in other ways. This performance is a way of denying his freedom, as it allows him to avoid the existential responsibility that accompanies choice.

3. Denial of Transcendence and Facticity: Sartre explains bad faith through the notions of facticity and transcendence. Facticity refers to the facts about our lives—our past, social conditions, physical limitations—while transcendence refers to our capacity to go beyond these facts through our freedom. Bad faith occurs when individuals either deny their transcendence, pretending they are bound entirely by facticity, or ignore facticity, acting as though they have no constraints. For example, a person may blame their upbringing entirely for their current circumstances, denying their ability to transcend it, or they might act as if circumstances don’t matter, ignoring their concrete limitations.

4. Escaping Responsibility: At the heart of bad faith is an attempt to escape responsibility. By adopting fixed roles or identities, people can avoid the anxiety of freedom. Sartre views this as an inauthentic way of being, as it involves denying one’s true existential condition of freedom.

Important Note: Bad faith is not just a passive state but an active denial of freedom, where individuals convince themselves that they are not as free as they truly are, and it can manifest in various life domains, from personal relationships to professional roles.

Humanism in Sartrean Existentialism

Sartre’s existentialism, though often seen as bleak and pessimistic, also contains a profound vision of humanism. His humanism is centered on the idea that human beings have the freedom and responsibility to shape their own destinies and create values.

1. Existential Humanism: Sartre’s existential humanism emphasizes that human beings are the creators of meaning in a world that does not provide inherent meaning. While religious or traditional humanism may view human dignity as derived from a divine or preordained essence, Sartre’s atheistic humanism holds that humans must create their values and define their purposes. For Sartre, human dignity comes from this ability to choose and to live authentically, rather than from any external authority.

2. Critique of Traditional Humanism: Sartre critiques traditional humanism, which often holds that humans possess a universal nature that guides their moral and ethical actions. In contrast, Sartre’s humanism asserts that there is no universal human essence. Instead, each individual must create their own essence through their choices. This self-creation process is what Sartre identifies as the core of his humanist philosophy.

3. Human Freedom and Moral Responsibility: Humanism, for Sartre, is deeply linked with the notion of freedom. Because humans are free to choose, they are also morally responsible for their actions. There are no pre-existing moral values; rather, values are created by humans through their choices. Sartre writes, “Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself,” emphasizing the moral dimension of freedom.

4. The Role of the Other: Sartre’s humanism also explores the role of the Other in human existence. While Sartre is often accused of promoting a form of radical individualism, he argues that human freedom is exercised in the context of others’ freedoms. The look of the Other plays a significant role in shaping how individuals see themselves, but Sartre emphasizes that this interaction should not lead to bad faith or the abdication of freedom. Instead, it should be a space for authentic self-expression.

Process-Flow: Individual Freedom → Responsibility → Creation of Values → Authentic Existence.

Comparative Understanding of Key Concepts

Important Note: Sartrean humanism underscores that the freedom to choose is always accompanied by the responsibility to justify those choices, both to oneself and to others.

MCQ

What does Sartre mean by “existence precedes essence”?
a) Humans are predetermined by nature
b) Humans are free to define their purpose through choices
c) Humans are governed by fate
d) Humans have an inborn essence that guides them

Correct Answer: b) Humans are free to define their purpose through choices