Existence Precedes Essence

Jean Paul Sartre is the leading philosopher on the theory of existentialism. Existentialism is the philosophical theory that every person is essentially a free being in charge of their own life, decisions, and “destiny”. This theory is usually associated with an atheist view of society because it pushes back against the idea that there is a higher power in charge of the decisions and destinies of humans. Sartre does not say that existentialism can only exist as an atheistic idea, but that to fully live by the theory, atheists are able to live by the ideas. While Sartre firmly condemns the use of the term existentialism to define his work, throughout the years, the term has become synonymous with him and his ideas.

I agree with part of Sartre’s theory of existentialism. I am a Christian and I firmly believe in the presence of God within the universe, but I also believe that humans are purely free beings. While God made heaven, Earth and everything around and in between, I believe that we as humans are free to make our own choices based on our own subjective beliefs. Humans were created in God’s image and to worship him, but it is very clear in almost every Christian religion that the choices humans make determine their entrance into heaven. I also believe that our own choices define our destinies and no outside influence can change our courses in life. One main point of Sartre’s existentialism is the “existence precedes essence” idea. Most philosophical theories present the idea that humans are, in the sense that we have some supernatural essence and meaning before our bodies form and we enter the world. Sartre says that we physically exist before we can ever have meaning. This idea of our beings beginning as physical and then our own actions building our essence seems accurate.