The quest for a meaningful existence through a Sartrean approach

Abstract

If we embrace existentialism’s philosophy, that is, that life is in essence meaningless, the inevitable question arises whether it is possible to establish a meaningful existence. Through the existential philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre from his lecture Existentialism is a Humanism (1946) and in his magnum opus Being and Nothingness (1943), I will argue that meaning is still attainable despite life’s inherent meaninglessness. The objective of this dissertation is one that espouses a shift in character from one of passive non-action when faced with the lack of intrinsic meaning to an affirmative standpoint. The question with regards the meaning of life possibly occurs to each and every human individual at least on one occasion during the course of their life and yet for the majority this is but a frivolous reflection. My intention is to examine the value of the question of meaning itself and to argue – from the subjectivist existentialist position – that it is extremely relevant to rigorously examine the question’s dilemmas in order to attain a life that is lived more critically and purposefully. These aims will be met through elucidating Sartre’s theories of ‘bad faith’ and ‘authenticity’ and through the recurrent theme within existentialism of subjectivity in general, as a counterargument to the attitudes of indifference and meaninglessness as is found in nihilistic and pessimistic points of view. The concluding outcome of this inquiry into subjectivity and human existence will be a discovery about self-creation and our engagement with our projects. Therefore to this extent it is to be understood as a humanistic approach rather than as an ethical judgment on what constitutes the good life.