Answer to Question #202357 in Philosophy for hasan

Question

Explain what Sartre means when he states, “We are condemned to be free”, and as a result, our “existence” precedes our “essence.” 

Answer 1

Sartire explains in his theory of existentialism that no man has full freedom therefore he is condemned to be free. In this statement, he says that no man enjoys the full happiness that comes from freedom, therefore, human beings live in constant anguish. The constant anguish does not come because life is miserable but because we can not be free as we want to be. Therefore, he suggests that human beings have full responsibility to give themselves freely in the process they struggle.

Therefore, according to Sartire, even if we do not have full freedom in life, we have to exist and we must struggle to exist. Therefore, our existence is more important than our purpose in life. This is true because according to Sartire, there is no designed way human beings should be and God does not influence their way of living. Therefore, the life and success of human beings solely low on their shoulders. In conclusion, Sartire implies that human beings struggle to exist and that their existence surpasses their essence in life.