- Explain what Sartre means when he says that we make our decisions and perform our actions in
anguish, abandonment, and despair. Do you find his reasons for viewing human action in this way convincing?
Defend your position by referring to some of his examples in Existentialism is a Humanism. You may use some of your own personal examples as well in your argument.
- Sartre argues that moral responsibility (our moral conscience) derives from our choices involving all
mankind
(intersubjectivity), as he says, “In fashioning myself, I fashion mankind,” and “Nothing can be good for me
unless it is good for all .” Do you find his reasoning adequate for explaining moral reasoning? Defend your
position by using some of his examples in the text. You may use personal examples also.
- How does Sartre agree with Descartes, and what does he find inadequate about Descartes’ “cogito
ergo sum”? In this discussion, Sartre believes he arrives at the universal human conditions for all mankind for all times and all places. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your position.
- Who is a “self-deceiver” (a person of “bad faith”) and who a person of “good faith”? Do you find his
discussion on the difference adequate? Defend your position with good reasons and example(s). You may
find what he says of “cowards” to be helpful.
- What does Sartre mean when he says that “we invent values?” Would you commit yourself to the point
of accepting his claim that existence precedes essence? Defend with good reasons for your position.
Sample Solution