Responsibility

Definition

Responsibility refers to the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or having control over someone. In existentialism, particularly in the works of Sartre and Camus, responsibility emphasizes the weight of individual choice and the need for individuals to confront the consequences of their actions. It is a crucial aspect of human existence, as it underlines the notion that individuals are not only free to make choices but must also take accountability for those choices in a world that lacks inherent meaning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sartre argues that existence precedes essence, meaning that individuals must define themselves through their choices, highlighting their responsibility for shaping their own lives.
2. In Sartre's view, failing to take responsibility for one's actions leads to 'bad faith,' where individuals deceive themselves to escape the anxiety of freedom and choice.
3. Camus presents the idea that life is inherently absurd and meaningless, but individuals must embrace this absurdity and take responsibility for creating their own meaning.
4. Responsibility in existentialism is often tied to concepts of anguish and despair, as individuals realize they are solely accountable for their choices in an uncaring universe.
5. Both Sartre and Camus emphasize that accepting responsibility can lead to empowerment and authenticity, allowing individuals to live fully despite life's inherent uncertainties.

Review Questions

• How does Sartre's concept of existence preceding essence relate to individual responsibility?
  • Sartre's notion that existence precedes essence means that individuals are born without any predetermined purpose or identity. This underscores the idea of individual responsibility because it places the onus on each person to define who they are through their choices and actions. Therefore, people must recognize that they have the freedom to choose but also bear the weight of responsibility for those choices, shaping their own essence through lived experiences.
• Discuss how Camus' concept of absurdity impacts the understanding of responsibility in human life.
  • Camus' concept of absurdity highlights the conflict between humanity's search for meaning and an indifferent universe. This realization can lead to a sense of disorientation; however, it also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's own life. By acknowledging the absurdity of existence, individuals are encouraged to create their own meanings and values, thus embracing their personal responsibility in a world without inherent purpose.
• Evaluate the implications of accepting or rejecting responsibility as presented by Sartre and Camus in relation to authenticity.
  • Accepting responsibility is central to achieving authenticity in both Sartre and Camus' philosophies. When individuals embrace their freedom and the resulting responsibilities, they can live genuinely according to their values. Conversely, rejecting responsibility leads to 'bad faith' in Sartre's terms, where people avoid confronting their freedom and thus live inauthentically. Camus suggests that facing life's absurdity while taking responsibility empowers individuals to create meaning within their lives, reflecting a profound understanding of existence despite its challenges.

Related terms

Freedom: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; in existentialism, this freedom is coupled with the burden of responsibility.

Authenticity: The quality of being genuine or true to oneself; in existential thought, it relates to living in accordance with one's own values and accepting the responsibilities that come with that.

Absurdity: A concept from Camus that describes the conflict between humans' desire for meaning and the indifferent universe; facing this absurdity requires accepting responsibility for one's own life.