In the excerpt, when Sartre writes, "existence precedes essence," he is expressing the core idea of existentialism. This concept suggests that individuals do not have a predetermined purpose or essence assigned to them by a higher power or external factors. Instead, according to Sartre, humans exist first, and then define their essence or identity through their choices, actions, and experiences.
To break it down further:
1. "Existence precedes essence" means that humans come into the world without a fixed nature or predetermined destiny.
2. Unlike a chair or a table that has a defined purpose or essence (e.g., a chair is meant for sitting), humans do not have a preset essence.
3. Instead, individuals create their essence through their actions, decisions, and the way they choose to live their lives.
4. This idea implies that humans have the freedom to shape their own identities and determine their values, beliefs, and purposes based on their experiences and choices.
Therefore, the correct interpretation of Sartre's statement "existence precedes essence" is:
- That people don't have an innate set of values or predispositions, and that individuals create themselves after birth.
