Freedom and Responsibility in Jean-Paul Sartre: A Fundamental Principle in Authentic Existence

Abstract

It is as ancient as humanity the problem of freedom that goes with the question of responsibility. Jean-Paul Sartre stated that man is not free but man is freedom, therefore man is condemned to freedom. The question is how, and to what extent is man responsible for his freedom? If man is free, is man also free from the consequences of his freedom? In this article, a critical analysis of key existentialist thinkers, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Søren Kierkegaard, as well as recent scholars, this article argues that freedom and responsibility are inextricably linked and essential for authentic existence. Sartre gives absolutism to freedom which is doubtable and inauthentic Man is not absolutely free and the freedom of man is questionable as man is also bound by the responsibilities of his actions. This work is geared to expose the ontological mistake of Sartre which has some ethical Implications for human society. The researcher suggests that since man in his questionable freedom is still checkmated by his responsibility, laws, rules, and regulations should be made and promulgated so that the J.P. Sartre pseudo-freedom will be in check.