English 1301 Please Read Story Enclosed Jean Paul Sartre Exi

English 1301please Read Story Enclosedjean Paul Sartre Existentialis

ENGLISH 1301 Please read Story Enclosed Jean Paul Sartre "Existentialism" Answer questions #1, #2, #3 and #4 READING AND RESPONSE GUIDELINES When a reading is assigned and discussions/questions are to be answered, the following information will assist the student in both reading and responding to the reading and it’s questions READING -Read the assigned piece twice. The first reading should be simply for enjoyment. Assume this is not an assigned reading, but one you have been meaning to read…The second time around is when annotation (note-taking, highlighting, writing in the margins, etc…should occur.) -Reading the questions beforehand will take away the enjoyment of the piece. This may expedite finding the answers to the assigned questions, but these answers may lack personal insight-which is most important in discussions.

RESPONDING -Create a two-part response at the minimum. First, share PERSONAL THOUGHTS about the question(s) asked. Second, add TEXTUAL EVIDENCE to support these thoughts. (These may be direct quotes, references to sections, need to be used with the line and/or page number after each quote. Example 1 : On page 262, the author states, “She was an unruly girl that didn’t know any better.â Example 2 : “She was an unruly girl that didn’t know any better.†(p.262) Example 3 : When quoting poetry, line and page number are both used. “The road followed was an uneasy one, as the gulls passed beyond.†(p.262, lines 27-28) FORMAT FOR THE RESPONSE Once these two aspects are complete, put them together in a strong, cohesive “essaystyled†response, keeping the assigned questions separate and numbered.

Do not simply submit a paper with “personal thoughts†in one section and “textual evidence†in another. They should be interwoven within the response as one. There is no word limit to these responses. They are graded on quality, not quantity. Keep in mind that there rarely are right or wrong answers in these responses. What is most important are the personal thoughts and what the reader thinks about the piece.

Paper For Above instruction

The assigned reading for this assignment is Jean Paul Sartre’s essay on “Existentialism.” Sartre’s philosophy of existentialism emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and responsibility, asserting that humans create their own essence through choices and actions. To engage deeply with Sartre’s ideas, I read the essay twice—the first time simply for enjoyment and reflection, and the second time with annotations to capture key points and questions.

Question 1 asks about the core tenets of Sartre’s existentialism. From my understanding, Sartre posits that “existence precedes essence,” meaning that humans are not born with a predetermined purpose or nature; rather, individuals define themselves through their actions (p. 3). This idea challenged traditional views that human nature is fixed and that morality is dictated externally. In my personal reflection, I find this empowering because it places moral responsibility squarely on the individual, emphasizing authentic self-creation and accountability.

Question 2 probes the notion of freedom within Sartre’s philosophy. Sartre argues that humans are condemned to be free because, once thrown into existence, we bear the responsibility for every decision we make. This overwhelming freedom can lead to feelings of angst or despair, especially when faced with limitless choices. I relate to this concept because I sometimes feel paralyzed by the weight of choices I must make daily. Sartre’s acknowledgment of this burden highlights the importance of authenticity and owning one’s decisions despite their difficulty.

Question 3 explores how Sartre views bad faith. Sartre describes bad faith as a form of self-deception where individuals deny their freedom by conforming to societal roles or external expectations. For example, a waiter who insists they are merely fulfilling their role and not exercising their personal agency is engaging in bad faith (p. 12). Personally, I see this as a common tendency to avoid responsibility or discomfort—by refusing to accept that we have genuine freedom, we escape the anxiety that accompanies true self-responsibility. Sartre’s critique encourages us to confront our freedom honestly rather than hide behind false certainties.

Question 4 involves reflecting on Sartre’s view of ethics. Sartre believed that ethical living involves embracing our freedom and acting authentically. Since we are responsible for creating the meaning of our lives, ethics become a personal project rooted in sincerity and commitment. In my view, this approach promotes moral integrity, as it requires individuals to continually evaluate their choices and act in accordance with their authentic values. It also challenges conventional moral systems that rely heavily on external rules rather than individual responsibility.

In integrating my personal insights with textual evidence, I recognize that Sartre’s existentialism can be both liberating and daunting. The emphasis on personal responsibility encourages self-awareness and authenticity, yet it also imposes an immense burden to constantly choose wisely. As Sartre states, “Man is condemned to be free,” which encapsulates both the potential and the weight of human existence (p. 5). This philosophy reminds us that living genuinely requires courage and ongoing self-examination, qualities I aspire to develop in my own life.

References

  • Sartre, J.-P. (1943). Existentialism is a Humanism. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.
  • Flynn, T. (2014). Sartre: A Philosophical Biography. Cambridge University Press.
  • Bernasconi, R. (2015). The Question of Identity: Sartre and the Self. Princeton University Press.
  • Bergo, B. (2013). Sartre on Ethics and Politics. Routledge.
  • Foucault, M. (2008). The Ethics of the Care of the Self. Oxford University Press.
  • Crane, T. (2004). Sartre: A Life. Princeton University Press.
  • Honderich, T. (2013). The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
  • Sherman, D. (2010). Sartre: A Guide for the Perplexed. Continuum International Publishing Group.
  • Walker, M. (2018). Existentialism and Human Emancipation. Routledge.