Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………......1
2.0 Definition of
terms……………………………………………………………………....1
3.0 Explanation of epistemic justification in the context of foundationalism and
Coherentism….…………………………………………………………………….…...3
4.0. Critical analyse of strengths and weaknesses……………………………………….…4
5.0 The theory that offers a more compelling solution to the problem of infinite regress....8
6.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...9
Bibliography
Table of content
1. Introduction
2. Definition
3. Existence precedes essence
4. Conclusion
1.0 Introduction
While the concept of existence has been a mystical understanding, Jean Paul de
Sartre has come to explain his view on human Existence and Essence. In this paper,
we are going to see some of outstanding but also advantages as well as
disadvantages of his thesis saying that Existence precedes Essence.
2.0 Definition
Existence derives from Latin word Existere which means to stand out. Means that
only man can exist. It is not more used in English because it does not convey the
real message it should in its etymology.1 It refers to the state if being. Essence
denotes the primary nature or indispensable quality of something that determines its
character. Essence comes from Latin word, Essentia, esse which means to be. It is a
pre-existence and it defines what is the being before we talk about existence. For
example , the table is defined by its essence before it is physically made.
3.0 Jean-Paul Sartrean thesis : Existence precedes essence;
What does it mean this thesis of Existence precedes Essence? As jean Paul Sartre
explain it, it to say that man ‘first exists: he materialises in the world, encounters
himself , and only afterwards defines himself’2. And if he does not define
himself , it is because the beginning shown to be nothing and therefore he will
remain nothing until he decided to make himself what he want to be. This thesis
has come first to place man before anything else. Man is only the one who is
1
Richard Gravil Existentialism : Existence precedes Essence (Tirril Hall, Humanities-Ebooks.com.uk ),86
2
Jonathan Webber , The existentialism of Jean- Paul Sartre, (New York Routledge, 2009), 23.
Jean Paul Saltre: Existentialism is human,(n..world Publishing Company,1956) 3.
responsible of making himself whatever he wills according to his plans and choices
he makes and he is before all else, something that moves itself toward the future at
the same time that it is aware of what it is doing. Man exist without first without
determination. As the first principle of existentialism say, man is nothing else but
that which he makes of himself. However, this thesis has some advantages and
disadvantages which are as follow:
Advantages: From this thesis, we can say that man has responsibility for making
what he intends himself to be. Men have freedom to create their own identity and
meanings in which no other has to interfere, and they are given power to choose
their identity apart from the influence of society, and beliefs of religions. Thus
people are able to to make a structure of their life. It encourages people to be
themselves in their identities rather than relying on expectations of others.
Disadvantages: This thesis, gives that a man creates himself, and consequently he is
responsible of his challenges of life he himself has chosen. Sartre seems to reject
the essentialism in which their perspective suggest that people have fixed identities
and roles which are basically from society biology and divine. For him the identity
is always available and attributed to the individual when he wishes according to his
choice. Since the man is responsible for his identity, then must he blame himself for
his choice when discovered that life is meaningless, and it does not have value,
which may cause him to experience other problems and difficulties of his being.
Here there is no one else to blame rather himself.
4.0 Conclusion
In summary, while Existence precedes Essence encourages people to make their
identities with freedom and favourite choice, it also creates other challenges in life
for understanding the human nature, for it limits the real origin of man. Therefore
man should be responsible, and accept the misfotunes of his choice.
