Existentialism Is a Humanism (Hindi/हिंदी में)

"Existentialism Is a Humanism" is a seminal text based on a public lecture delivered by Jean-Paul Sartre in 1945. At its core, the work serves as a powerful defense of existentialist thought against critics who viewed it as a philosophy of despair, passivity, or moral chaos. Sartre argues that far from being a gloomy outlook, existentialism is a doctrine of action and human dignity that places the ultimate responsibility for existence squarely on the individual's shoulders.Existence Precedes EssenceThe foundational principle of Sartre’s argument is the idea that existence precedes essence. To explain this, he uses the example of a manufactured object, like a paper knife. Before the knife is made, a craftsman has a concept or "essence" of what it should be and what purpose it will serve. In this case, essence precedes existence.However, Sartre posits that for human beings, there is no pre-existing blueprint or divine design. Man first exists, surges up in the world, and only afterwards defines who he is.There is no "human nature" to fall back on as an excuse for one’s behavior because there is no God to conceive it. Therefore, man is nothing other than what he makes of himself. This is the first principle of existentialism.Freedom and CondemnationBecause there is no pre-determined essence, humans are radically free. Sartre famously states that "man is condemned to be free." We are "condemned" because we did not create ourselves, yet we are "free" because, once thrown into the world, we are responsible for every action we take. This freedom is not a gift of ease but a burden of total responsibility.When an individual chooses, they do not just choose for themselves; they choose for all of humanity. Sartre argues that in every act of choice, an individual creates an image of what they believe a human being ought to be. This leads to a profound sense of anguish, which Sartre compares to the anxiety felt by a military leader whose decisions affect the lives of many. This anguish is not a reason for inaction but is the very condition of action itself, arising from the realization of the weight of one's choices.Abandonment and DespairSartre also discusses the concepts of abandonment and despair. Abandonment refers to the realization that God does not exist and that we must face the consequences of this absence. There are no objective values or "signs" in the world to tell us what to do; even if we see a sign, we are the ones who must interpret its meaning.Despair, in the existentialist sense, means that we should limit ourselves to relying only on what is within our will and the probabilities that make our actions possible. We cannot rely on "human goodness" or external forces beyond our control. This forces the individual to focus strictly on their own actions and commitments rather than idle hopes.Existentialism as a HumanismThe title of the work addresses the common reproach that existentialism is too subjective and isolates the individual. Sartre counters this by explaining that through the "cogito" (I think), we discover not only ourselves but also the existence of others. One cannot be anything (e.g., "witty" or "wicked") unless others recognize them as such. Thus, we find ourselves in a world of "inter-subjectivity" where our freedom is inextricably linked to the freedom of others.Sartre concludes that existentialism is a form of humanism because it reminds man that he is the only legislator of his own life. It is a philosophy of optimism and action because it suggests that the destiny of man lies within himself. It rejects "quietism" (the attitude of letting others do the work) by insisting that reality exists only in action.