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🪵 The Threshold

Existentialist despair means relying only on what lies within one's own will and action

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tagsja-picks, define, definitional_content, primary_study, singleton, xref, category/definitional-content
aliases@sartre_existentialism_1946, loc. 16

2 min read

Existentialist despair means relying only on what lies within one’s own will and action

Evidence

As for “despair,” the meaning of this expression is extremely simple. It merely means that we limit ourselves to a reliance upon that which is within our wills, or within the sum of the probabilities which render our action feasible. Whenever one wills anything, there are always these elements of probability. If I am counting upon a visit from a friend, who may be coming by train or by tram, I presuppose that the train will arrive at the appointed time, or that the tram will not be derailed. I remain in the realm of possibilities; but one does not rely upon any possibilities beyond those that are strictly concerned in one’s action. Beyond the point at which the possibilities under consideration cease to affect my action, I ought to disinterest myself. — Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism Is a Humanism, 16

Categorization

  • DEFINE: Clarifies Sartre’s redefinition of ‘despair’ as disciplined reliance on one’s own powers rather than emotional hopelessness.
  • XREF: connects to: Existentialism is accused of teaching passive despair and quietism — Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism Is a Humanism, 2; Nietzsche and Kierkegaard defined existence as choice, action and self-assertion; Postmodern resignation reduces action to existential necessity without hope of change. — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures, 616

Broader Connections

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