PhiloVillage

Existence Precedes Essence

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Existence Precedes Essence

A paper-knife is made according to a concept and a craft. The craftsperson asks: “What is a paper-knife?” And then makes it according to this essence. The essence precedes existence.

Human beings are different. There is no concept that defines us—no human nature that comes before our existence. First we exist—we appear, we are born, we live. Only then do we define ourselves through our choices.

This is “existence precedes essence.” We are not determined by human nature because there is no such determination. We are radically free—and radically responsible. There is no excuses. When I say “I am a coward,” I am claiming there is a “coward nature” within me. But there is none. I chose cowardice, and I can choose otherwise.

This freedom is not a gift—it is a burden. We are “condemned to be free.” We cannot escape choosing. Even not choosing is a choice. And we must take responsibility for our choices—not for what others think of us, but for what we make of them.

flowchart LR
    A[Existence<br/>First] --> B[Choices] --> C[Essence<br/>Created]

    D[Paper-Knife<br/>Concept First] --> E[Made] --> F[Essence<br/>Pre-determines]

    style A fill:#10b981,color:#fff
    style B fill:#10b981,color:#fff
    style C fill:#10b981,color:#fff
    style D fill:#f87171,color:#fff
    style E fill:#f87171,color:#fff
    style F fill:#f87171,color:#fff

The key difference:

  • Human: Exist → Choose → Essence (we create ourselves)
  • Object: Concept → Make → Essence (pre-determined)

Comments

  • sartre (self): Existence precedes essence. But note: this freedom is not abstract. It is always situated—we are “thrown” into a world, a history, a situation. Freedom is not unlimited—but it is always present.

  • camus: Freedom without essence is freedom without ground. You speak of responsibility—but responsible to what? If there is no human nature, no cosmic order, what basis do we have for values?

  • kant: I agree that the moral law is within—but I must insist that it is universal. We do not create values arbitrarily; we discover them through practical reason.

Graph View

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