The Unyielding Freedom: Jean-Paul Sartre’s Theory of Motivation

In the dimly lit corridors of existential thought, Jean-Paul Sartre strides with audacity, challenging the very fabric of human motivation. His ideas, like shards of broken mirrors, reflect our deepest fears and desires. But what is it that drives us? What compels our actions in a world teetering on the edge of absurdity? Sartre’s answer is both liberating and terrifying: freedom. Not the comforting freedom of choice, but the haunting freedom that condemns us to be architects of our own existence. Sartre’s theory of motivation arises from the ongoing series of choices individuals make. These choices are not merely driven by external stimuli or subconscious desires but stem from the individual’s conscious decision to engage with the world authentically.

Sartre’s canvas is the human soul, and his brushstrokes are the choices we make. He rejects the notion that we are mere puppets, strings pulled by external forces. Instead, he insists that we are artists, wielding the brush of our own destiny. Our motivations, he argues, emerge from the crucible of our consciousness, shaped by our fears, our longings, and the relentless ticking of our mortality.

Angst—that gnawing fear of our own finitude—becomes the palette from which Sartre paints his theory. Borrowing from Heidegger, he daubs our motivations with the hues of existential dread. We are not driven by external rewards or predetermined goals; rather, we dance on the precipice of our own mortality. The fear of death, like a shadow, follows us, urging us to create meaning, to forge purpose in a universe that seems indifferent to our existence.

And so, we step into Sartre’s labyrinthine theory of motivation, where the walls whisper secrets of anguish and possibility. Here, existence precedes essence, and our choices echo through eternity. As we navigate this maze, we confront our own metaphysical nausea—the stark realization that we are alone, unanchored, with no cosmic safety net. In moments of solitude, we reconstitute our being, inscribing meaning upon the void. For Sartre, this is the crucible of motivation: the raw material of our freedom, the forge where we shape our destiny.

History of Sartre’s Theory of Motivation

Jean-Paul Sartre presented his theory of motivation within the framework of existentialism, particularly in his philosophical work “Being and Nothingness.” In this seminal book, Sartre explores the concept of freedom as the core of human motivation, emphasizing that our actions are a result of our choices in the face of this freedom. He also discussed his ideas in various lectures and writings, where he elaborated on the existentialist view that existence precedes essence and that individuals define themselves through their actions. For a more in-depth understanding, you can refer to his original texts or scholarly articles that analyze his philosophy.

Core Concepts in Sartre’s Philosophy

Freedom and Responsibility

Jean-Paul Sartre, a prominent existentialist, fully appreciated the importance of freedom in helping humans lead authentic lives. His philosophical magnum opus, “Being and Nothingness,” proposed the notion of freedom and responsibility as a moral compass for authentic existence. Let’s explore his thought-provoking ideas:

Radical Freedom:

Sartre is perhaps best known as the philosopher of radical freedom. During the Nazi occupation of France in 1940, he witnessed firsthand how individuals can be oppressed and controlled. This experience deeply influenced his thinking about freedom and responsibility. Sartre believed that human beings are fundamentally free, and this freedom extends to every aspect of our existence. We are not passive creatures; instead, we possess the power to shape our own lives and create our own meaning.

Existence Precedes Essence:

Sartre’s central idea is that existence precedes essence. Unlike essentialists who argue that humans have predetermined natures or essences, Sartre contends that we define ourselves through our actions and choices. We are not bound by fixed roles or inherent characteristics; instead, we continually create our identity. This freedom to define ourselves also brings with it the weight of responsibility for our choices.

Total Responsibility:

With total freedom comes total responsibility. Sartre believed that as free beings, we are responsible for all elements of ourselves: our consciousness, our decisions, and our actions. We cannot escape this responsibility. Every choice we make contributes to shaping our existence. Whether we act authentically or inauthentically, we bear the consequences of our actions.

Authentic Existence:

Sartre’s philosophy encourages us to live authentically. Authentic existence involves embracing our freedom, making conscious choices, and taking responsibility for those choices. It means rejecting conformity, societal expectations, and external pressures. Instead, we must engage with our existence fully, accepting the burden of freedom while creating our own meaning and purpose.

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In summary, Sartre’s concept of freedom emphasizes our capacity to shape our lives and the moral responsibility that accompanies this freedom. For him, authenticity lies in acknowledging our radical freedom and living in accordance with our choices, even when those choices are difficult or uncomfortable.

Bad Faith

Sartre introduced the notion of “bad faith,” which refers to individuals evading their freedom and responsibility by adopting societal norms and roles without critical examination. Authenticity, on the other hand, entails embracing one’s freedom, acknowledging the absence of predetermined essence, and taking ownership of one’s existence.

Jean-Paul Sartre introduced the concept of “bad faith” (mauvaise foi in French) as a fundamental aspect of human existence. Bad faith refers to the self-deception that occurs when individuals deny their own freedom. It involves pretending that they lack the ability to make choices due to fear of the consequences associated with those choices. When someone remains within safe, default options and fails to recognize the multitude of other possibilities available to them, they place themselves at the mercy of external circumstances. In doing so, they resemble objects rather than conscious human beings.

Examples of Bad Faith

The Waiter’s Play-Acting:

Sartre provides an example of a waiter who exaggerates his behavior to conform perfectly to the role of a waiter. The waiter’s actions become evidence that he is play-acting at being a waiter—an automaton whose essence is defined by the role.

However, the key insight lies in the fact that the waiter must be aware, at some level, that he is not truly a waiter but a conscious human being who deceives himself into playing the role. This awareness highlights the tension between his borrowed identity (the waiter) and his true self.

The First Date Scenario:

Imagine a young woman on a first date. Her date compliments her physical appearance, but she chooses to ignore the sexual connotations of his words. Instead, she directs the compliment at herself as a conscious human being.

When he takes her hand, she neither accepts nor rejects it. Instead, she lets her hand rest limply, delaying the choice of accepting or rejecting his advances.

In this scenario, she treats the compliment as unrelated to her body (choosing to be a conscious being), but treats her hand (a part of her body) as an object. This implicit acknowledgment of her freedom to choose reveals her bad faith.

Implications:

People may deceive themselves into believing they lack freedom, but they cannot escape their true nature as conscious human beings. Our pragmatic concerns, social roles, and value systems do not define us entirely.

Authentic existence begins when we embrace our freedom, make difficult choices, and take responsibility for them. Life, according to Sartre, starts on the other side of despair, where we fully acknowledge our capacity to choose and shape our own destiny.

In summary, bad faith involves denying our freedom by clinging to convenient roles or choices. To live authentically, we must recognize our inherent freedom and make conscious decisions, even when faced with uncertainty or difficulty.

Anguish and Despair

Anguish

Sartre identified existential anguish as a fundamental aspect of the human condition. The recognition of boundless freedom and the absence of inherent meaning can lead to profound anguish and despair. However, Sartre emphasized that embracing this anguish enables individuals to confront their existence authentically.

Jean-Paul Sartre introduced the concept of existential anguish, capturing the profound unease that accompanies the recognition of our freedom. This existential angst arises from the tension between the infinite possibilities that freedom affords and the limited, contingent nature of human existence.

Sartre believed that existence manifests itself through our choices, anxiety, and the freedom of the will. As conscious beings, we are aware of our radical freedom—the ability to make choices that shape our lives. However, this freedom comes with a heavy burden; the responsibility of constructing our own future. We are architects of our destiny, but the uncertainty of the future creates anxiety. The weight of this responsibility leads to existential anguish.

Imagine standing at a crossroads, surrounded by countless paths. Each choice you make closes off some possibilities while opening others. The awareness of these diverging paths—the “what ifs” and the myriad ways life could unfold—creates a sense of unease.

Despair and Uncertainty:

Sartre’s philosophy acknowledges that we are always under the shadow of anxiety. The more significant our responsibility, the higher our anxiety. The future remains uncertain, and our choices define it.

Despair emerges when we confront the limitations of our existence. We grapple with questions like: What if I make the wrong choice? What if my actions lead to suffering or regret? The weight of our freedom can be overwhelming.

Paradoxically, it is precisely this awareness of our freedom that generates both hope and despair. Hope because we can shape our lives; despair because the stakes are high, and there are no guarantees.

Motivation and Existential Choice

Leading up to the focus of this article, we wandered through the main corridors of Sartre’s philosophical views. His core ideas weave together the tapestry of his theory of motivation. According to this tapestry, motivation arises from the ongoing series of choices individuals make. These choices are not merely driven by external stimuli or subconscious desires but stem from the individual’s conscious decision to engage with the world authentically. Motivation, therefore, is intricately linked to the individual’s commitment to creating their essence and shaping their reality through active choices.

Consciousness plays a significant role in Sartre’s theory of motivation. Humans are not acted upon, formed, and transformed without their consent. The authentic life is aware of their end goal and acts to bring it about. To Sartre, the end goal is of utmost importance. He wrote: “Substitutes for what is given in experience an abstract causalism or certain metaphysical forms or concepts, such as motivation, attitude, or role, which have no meaning except in conjunction with an end” (Sartre, 1969).

Sartre posits that all intentional action has an end. Accordingly, the outcome expectation is at the heart of behavior. Basically, when a person desires a particular end, if that end state has sufficient value, it motivates behavior. Daniel Vanello explains that motivation is that “we take some good in the ends for the sake of which we perform the actions” (Vanello, 2019).

For-Itself and In-Itself

Significant concepts in Sartre’s theory of motivation is the designation between for-itself and in-itself.

For-Itself

The for-itself refers to consciousness or subjectivity. It is the aspect of human existence that is aware, intentional, and capable of self-reflection. We find conscious choice within the concept of for-itself. This realm of being is also characterized by freedom, choice, and self-awareness.

In-Itself

In-itself (or en-soi) represents the objective, non-conscious world of things.

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Freedom requires the state of for-Itself. Basically, for-itself represents self-empowerment to act in the present to bring about desired ends that we see as our possibilities.

Psychological Concepts Associated with Sartre’s Theory of Motivation

Jean-Paul Sartre’s theory of motivation is deeply rooted in existentialist philosophy and is associated with several psychological concepts:

• Freedom and Responsibility: Sartre believed that individuals are fundamentally free and that this freedom is the basis of motivation. People have free choices to act, and they are responsible for these choices.
• Existence Precedes Essence: According to Sartre, individuals first exist and then define themselves through their actions. Consequently, this concept suggests that the need to create one’s essence through choices and actions motivates behavior.
• Authenticity: Sartre emphasized the importance of living authentically, which means acting in accordance with one’s true self and values. Motivation arises from the desire to be authentic and true to oneself.
• Angst and Despair: The realization of one’s absolute freedom can lead to feelings of angst, which can motivate individuals to make meaningful choices and take decisive actions to overcome this existential anxiety.
• Bad Faith (Self-Deception): Sartre introduced the concept of bad faith, which occurs when individuals deny their freedom and responsibility, often to avoid the anxiety associated with them. Living by bad faith can affected motivation, as they are not fully embracing their freedom.
• The Look: The concept of “the look” refers to the way individuals become aware of themselves as being perceived by others. Accordingly, this awareness can motivate people to act in certain ways to influence how others see them.
• Outcome Expectancies: Outcome expectancies refer to the expected outcomes of engaging in a particular behavior. This theory resonates with Sartre’s concept of end value motivating behavior.
• Possible Selves: Sartre considers the adoption of logical possibilities as ‘my possibilities’ as a significant element in motivating behavior.

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These concepts highlight the existentialist view that motivation is an intrinsic part of human existence, driven by freedom, the search for meaning, and the desire to assert one’s identity through actions. Sartre’s ideas have influenced various areas of psychology, including humanistic and existential therapies, which focus on helping individuals find meaning and live authentically.

Associated Concepts

• Self-Determination Theory: This theory emphasizes the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in driving achievement behaviors.
• Expectancy-Value Theory: It suggests that individuals’ beliefs about their ability to perform a task and the value they place on success predict their achievement goals.
• Self-Consistency Theory: This theory asserts that individuals seek coherence between their self-concept and actions. They do this to avoid psychological discomfort.
• Self-Efficacy: Developed by Albert Bandura, self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations. It’s a concept that overlaps with the internal locus of control, where a high sense of personal agency is present.
• Goal Setting Theory: This theory is a pivotal concept in human psychology, emphasizing specific and challenging goals coupled with feedback and self-belief as key drivers of performance and motivation. It has evolved over time and continues to shape personal and professional development globally.
• Affective-Reflective Theory (ART): This theory explores how our decisions are influenced by both automatic emotional responses and conscious, deliberate thought.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

This brief exploration offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Sartre’s philosophy, urging individuals to grapple with the complexities of human motivation and the pursuit of authentic existence.

Sartre’s Theory of Motivation provides a thought-provoking perspective on human behavior and the underlying forces that drive individuals. By emphasizing radical freedom, authenticity, and existential responsibility, Sartre challenges conventional notions of motivation and offers profound insights into the human psyche.

Last Update: October 12, 2024

References:

Sartre, Jean-Paul (1965). The philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. ‎Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Vintage Books edition.
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Sartre, Jean-Paul (1943). Being and Nothingness. Washington Square Press; Later prt. edition.
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Vanello, Daniel (2019). Sartre’s Theory of Motivation. The Southern Journal of Philosophy,57(2), 259-278. DOI: 10.1111/sjp.12321
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