Existentialism Is a Humanism (French: L’existentialisme est un humanisme) is a 1946 work by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, based on a lecture by the same name given at Club Maintenant in Paris, on 29 October 1945.
“Thus, the first effect of existentialism is that it puts every man in possession of himself as he is, and places the entire responsibility of his existence squarely upon his shoulders. And, when we say that man is responsible for himself, we do not mean that he is responsible only for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men . . .
Leilani Merrill
Universalism- When a person is responsible for himself and acts in that way, they are responsible for himself and the universe.
Correlation to Immanuel Kant- The categorical imperative. If one acts based on a certain maxim, do they will it to be a law of nature?
If one chooses a certain way, they choose it for all humanity.
It is not pre-given, there is a human essence we all have.
It is what we choose to do with the universal human condition.
What is not a variant?
All of us face the existential human condition.
Every situation can be understood across all places.
Choices can be based on error others based on truth.
One is obliged to want others to have freedom as they want freedom for themselves as well.
Universality based on the human condition and based on the exercise of our
freedom.
We are what we choose go do with our freedom
No determinism that compels us to act
that is universal to every human.
A priori- relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge which proceeds from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience.
Situations are different, that is invariant is necessary to exist.
Existential conditions. Every configuration can be understood from someone from a different place. Perpetually being made. Through one’s actions, their uses of freedom, they’re sending a message of how humanity is supposed to be. Trust our instincts. Individuals are faced with situations that require decisions to act. What really matters, something compelling us to decide in a certain direction? With Sartre, his student faced a moral situation, after consideration he said “In the end, it is the feeling that counts; the direction in which it is really pushing me is the one I ought to choose.”
Philosophy Forever 