Sartre the 11 topics Sartre The Eleven Topics

Sartre: the 11 topics Sartre: The Eleven Topics

The eleven topics 1. The claim that existence precedes essence and illustrative example (the paper knife) 2. The implications for morality 3. The nature of human reality in contrast with that of material objects (the being in-itself/for itself) 4. God and human nature, the rejection of determinism 5. Freedom, choice and responsibility 6. Sartre’s use of universalisation 7. The relation of choice to value 8. Why man’s situation gives rise to abandonment, anguish and despair; the existentialist meaning of these terms. 9. Subjectivity and the cogito, intersubjectivity. 10. Authenticity and bad faith (self deception), the possibility of moral criticism. 11. The criticisms levelled against Sartre’s existentialism and his replies

• • Describe the example of the Jesuit priest and its purpose. (10 marks) Which of the topics relates to this question? (could be one or more) How would you approach answering it? Which AO 1, 2, 3 ?

Assess Sartre’s claim that Man’s existence precedes his essence (25 marks) • Which of the 11 topics apply? • How would you go about answering it? • Make a rough plan

• • Pen knife or similar Essence/existence means. . ? For/in itself distinction (possibly) Purpose, or lack of

Critical points • • • Essential nature…. if not God then genetics? No God? He just assumes it – no argument Is freedom = essence for Sartre? Is man really so unique from everything else in nature? Evidence for human nature JPS would argue that there is a universal human condition (Uh. C)and that ‘human nature’ (HN)relies on behaviour as evidence, which is then explained via ‘human nature’ – a circular argument Does Uo. C really explain much? For Sartre: if HN or ‘essence’ really exists, then why is there such disagreement about what it is? E. g. …. ? Man is different from a paper knife – but is he so different from an animal? If we do have a function (like a paper knife) that doesn’t mean that we are claiming we were designed by a God

Next - essay • Use the second article by Mason to help you – your answers to the questions should help • Use the ‘ 11 topics’ handout • Remember the LRC has background material (books, journals) • If you rough out a plan I will check it out for you. • This slide, and others, will be ‘parked’ on the VLE for you

Whatever you choose to, do ensure that you support it with reading – use sources from the LRC, my book, ethics briefing sheet, etc!