Question

Describe, in your own words, Sartre’s idea of the importance of reality and how that concept informs his view of cowardice. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Answer 1

Describe, in your own words, Sartre’s idea of the importance of reality and how that concept informs his view of cowardice.

In his 1946 work "Existentialism is Humanism", Sartre explores existentialism and its effect on humanity. He states that a coward is: "defined by the deed that he has done. What people feel obscurely, and with horror, is that the coward as we present him is guilty of being a coward."  The action of the coward defines him, an aspect that can be changed only by him. If he is committed to change what defines him, he can erase the notion of being a coward.

Nevertheless, Sartre mentions that “There is no reality except in action”, and this reveals the importance of reality. Humans, regardless of the outcome of an unattainable future, are still in control of some aspects of their reality through their actions; thus, they can shape their individual futures in a way.

This is "total freedom" defined solely by the individual, as Sartre says: "Those who hide from this total freedom, in a guise of solemnity or with deterministic excuses, I shall call cowards."  What matters in someone's existence is what is decided. A decision is going to shape someone's reality and will define whether the person is a hero or a coward.