'Nous sommes tous condamnés à être libres' (L'Age de Raison.) To what extent do the short stories 'Le Mur' and 'Érostrate' illustrate Sartre's paradox on freedom?

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Graeme Murray

F.A.O Emma Webb:

French Studies 1:

  1. ‘Nous sommes tous condamnés à être libres’ (L’Age de Raison.) To what extent do the short stories ‘Le Mur’ and ‘Érostrate’ illustrate Sartre’s paradox on freedom?

Sartre’s paradox on freedom is an integral part of his philosophy and has been investigated by various critics of note. However, such discussion is not simply confined to the field of philosophy having also been of influence in that of psychology. Thus in writing this essay, not discounting the philosophical merit of the work, I am also obligated to explore the influence of psychology upon Sartre’s pieces in relation to the statement that ‘man is condemned to be free.’

 Sartre’s paradox is illustrated in both ‘Le Mur’ and ‘L’Erostrate’, and upon initial contemplation it would appear that this occurs in quite different ways. This is due to the varying pretexts of each piece. ‘Le Mur’ is based upon the political struggle seen during the Spanish civil war whereas ‘L’Erostrate’, in basic terms, owes its plot to mythological events. However, although Ibbieta fights for a cause, values which he deems worth while, and Hilbert fights solely against humanity it is my view that one theme ties each story together; rejection. Both protagonists have been rejected by the majority and are thus forced to take action in an attempt to express their freedom. It is here that Sartre’s claim has been interpreted in many different ways. Dagfinn Follesdal claims that true expression of freedom comes not in physical action but in mental state:

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‘Regardless of the physical situation, we are always free to constitute reality in different ways.’

I agree that the ability to form ones own beliefs is an essential part of freedom but I would not go as far to say that Sartre meant that reality depends upon ones interpretation of that reality. Indeed if this was the case we would be confronted with a paradox within a paradox as every action would be deemed just ‘as long as one constitutes one’s values in such a manner as to justify that action.’ (Follesdal)  

 My view is supported ...

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