@philosophyminis: Have you ever noticed how some people have an excuse for everything? They say, 'It's the way I was born,' or, 'My boss just hates me,' or, 'It's bad luck.' They blame the universe, their past, or their DNA for the state of their lives, because it's easier to be a victim of circumstance. But according to Jean-Paul Sartre, this is an example of what he called bad faith. In his most famous line, Sartre said, 'existence precedes essence,' which means that you aren't born with a pre-written destiny. You are a blank canvas, and you are nothing more than the sum of your actions. But possessing such immense and radical freedom is terrifying, because when there is no God, no fate, and no biological determinism, there is nothing to hide behind. I am the one pulling the strings. I am the architect of my life. So if somebody says, 'I had no choice,' they are hiding the immensity of their own freedom from themselves. They are lying to themselves. If you choose to talk to those people, that is a choice. If you choose to go into work, that is a choice. If you choose to be mean and cruel, then don't be surprised when people stop inviting you to things. As the internet adage goes, 'If you f*** about, you'll find out.' Radical freedom is terrifying, but also liberating. Because if you are the reason for all of this mess, you also have the power to get yourself out of it. And according to Sartre, we all have much more power to fix ourselves than we think.
Jonny Thomson
Region: GB
Saturday 31 January 2026 14:31:47 GMT
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𝑩𝒐𝒍𝒂 :
Then there's the "lottery of geography". A child born in Gaza and New York have two different different starts in the life game. I don't completely agree with this.
2026-01-31 20:09:04
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Leonis :
Neurodivergents might have something to say about this.
it IS my DNA, I am not a blank canvas, it is determined by biology, I am not fully the architect of my life, I often don't have a choice, I do not have freedom from myself...and I haven't lied for decades...
I am not mean or cruel, but it can still be interpreted that way by those who make up their own interpretation of me..
I am not the reason for why I'm like this and I have no power to change it.
Yet I am not disagreeing with what's said, but there are risks to applying the same "rules" to everyone no matter the predisposition as such would only worsening the struggles of those who fall outside of the norm
2026-01-31 21:32:22
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Punished “Venom” Suzuyer :
we aren’t a totally blank canvas
2026-02-02 11:20:31
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Aaron Cowie :
those sound like reasons and not excuses
2026-02-01 21:41:25
3
KnowOne :
YOUR life is the sum total of YOUR decisions.
2026-02-11 22:55:56
9
Khá Tiếng Anh :
Sounds like the Buddha’s teaching on Karma: your fate is determined by your thoughts, your words and your actions ✨❤💯
2026-01-31 17:56:00
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lacamb :
There’s a book I’m reading called “Courage to be disliked” by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi that talks about this. Highly recommended
2026-01-31 23:32:43
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AI ASMR lover :
I mean it’s not true. there are chronic deceases, different power dynamics and wealth as well as intelligence differences that people are born with
2026-02-03 18:26:52
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Lee Davies :
its a mix, we have control over some things but not others, we don't control who are parents are, where we are born, genetics health conditions, if you are victim if violence, abuse etc , yes we have some choices but not complete radical freedom
2026-02-02 08:47:21
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Aday :
One is always responsible for what one makes of what is made of one
2026-01-31 16:42:46
1
laneakea_ai :
There is no free will
2026-03-02 11:07:32
0
Amelia :
it's really hard to overcome that mindset but it's a much happier life once you accept responsibility
2026-03-01 19:02:03
1
Exactovsky :
I don't know why they translate word by word "mauvaise foi", because if "bad faith" doesn't not mean "deceiving oneself" then it is a wrong translation
2026-01-31 15:31:23
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j :
ur the best teacher
2026-03-16 13:41:40
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Roadcamp R :
What about the subconscious ? How does this relate to Freud's "we are not the boss in our own house" ?
2026-01-31 23:51:07
1
heyhunsitsnicole :
If we didn’t live under capitalism? Sure.
2026-03-08 16:19:47
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Wiktorsson ye :
In other words I’m responsible for my own happiness and success? That’s too much pressure
2026-03-02 13:24:14
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Drewj82 :
I say anyone existence is relevant to three factors. Genetics, environment which includes al experiences and what we are confronted with during growth and finally and most honestly least of those outcomes is the individuals choice. Maybe inncedents occur by another persons choice and quite often enforceable by the one the effect and can be by multiple ppls choices, in fact laws are created that way
2026-01-31 17:35:45
1
CainKellye :
Practice right view of your current life being shaped by your past choices, and right effort to take responsibility and make conscious decisions to improve conditions for yourself and others around you.
Life is not fair, in a sense that it is not for you or against you. Life is the ocean, throwing waves should you be there or not. The paddle is in your hands to steer your boat.
2026-02-02 09:56:58
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anatak74 :
Musashi said something similar. His resolution was to not do things he will regret. Taking full responsibility for his actions.
2026-02-11 03:22:42
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jouj5 :
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul
2026-02-12 06:01:53
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queenixx :
i love this Statement but sadly it's a little nore complicated than that
2026-02-10 02:00:38
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Milly Weeble :
Seriously needed to hear this, thank you 🙏🏼
2026-02-12 00:40:04
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SamOne :
Nope sorry, that's not the full story
2026-03-19 20:08:21
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Sarah Wally :
Determinism with doing your best.
2026-01-31 15:31:40
0
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