Our discussion in class on Tuesday was very interesting. We talked about how existence precedes essences in existentialism as a humanism. On page 22 of Sartre's book, the definition of this is explained. He say that this means that. "man first exists: he materializes the world, encounters himself, and only afterward defines himself."I think that I agree with Sartre's point of view to a degree. As humans, we acknowledge our own presence on earth, but we do not know what our destiny or fate is. We live through each day and make a way for ourselves. We are aware of our actions. After we become conscious of what our own characteristics as a human being we realize what we need to do to change who we are.
As humans we can choose to acknowledge our flaws or we can run from them. We talked about certain things in class like being a waiter and doing your job well or being a student. We each have a role in society and we have to decide how we will fulfill that role. We can either perform our duties well or we can choose to be passive. We have the right to make up our minds and decide who we want to be ultimately. I think that ultimately our choices decide our fate and consequences.
Additionally in class we talked about the difference between the essence of an object and the essence of humans. An object is what it is. A chair is a chair and a television is a television and a car is a car. None of these can be otherwise. It like the old saying that goes, "if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, acts like a duck, it is a duck. In class we said that objects are defined by facticity. This means that they are definite and have unique properties that define them. I think that the properties of an object are aspects that influences our perspectives and our senses as humans. For example when we make observations about objects, we use our logic and define its qualities. If I were to admire a piece of wooden furniture, I would look at its finish, is design, the quality of the wood, the craftsmanship. These are things that help to define the object and how I perceive it.
On the other hand, humans are built differently than objects. We have brains and we have a soul. Thus we have the ability to do for ourselves. This means that we have determinism. We can choose to do what we want to occupy our time. We can set goals for ourselves and acknowledge who we are. I think that our freedoms are present in our everyday lives. For example, I decide what my own sequence of actions will be and these actions have consequences. I can go to class everyday. I can get my homework down in a timely fashion. I can do chores and get errands taken care. These actions have consequences in the long run. If I go to class, I can pursue my education and get a degree. If I get my homework done, I can be prepared for class and make better grades. If I get chores and errands done, I can be better organized. However, the opposite of doing these things is not doing them. In class we talked about humans fleeing from themselves. I have the freedom to choose not to do something. This is a part of are freedom as human beings. I can say no to anything. I can choose not to do the actions mentioned earlier. I can choose not to take drugs and alcohol. Ultimately, the freedom to not do things can lead to positive or negative ends. If i choose to go to class, this action would lead to a positive end because I am getting my education and I am not being counted as absent. I can choose to say no to drugs and alcohol. This choice would be positive because I can prevent myself from becoming addicted and dependent upon a substance and risking my health as well as my future. In the end our decisions define who we are and lead us down a certain path.
In conclusion, humans and objects both exist in the natural world. Object are definite and cannot change. Humans ultimatelty use objects and make observations about them. However, humans existence will always remain separate from objects because human have the ability to make choices. Humans can set their own goals and influence their own outcomes. In the end we are responsible for who we are. I think that later on we come to realize the reason for our existence. From our experiences we have the power to influence who we will become in the future.
It's interesting that you portray objects as only existing in the scope of the context humans place on them. If there is a rectangular piece of furniture in a room and one human says, "Well that's a table." another human could say, "No, that is my bed." I do agree that objects cannot will themselves to change or form projects for themselves the way humans can. I think what you're saying is that the essence of the table precedes the material of it: someone says, "I'm going to build a rectangular piece of furniture and eat my dinners on it." Whereas with a human, there is no such definite plan.
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