Jean-Paul Sartre says "man is nothing else but what he makes of himself" 762. This existentialist view depicts the idea that one is not based on the essence of a soul, but rather, based on decisions made throughout life. Sartre also believes that every man is responsible for all men. One may choose his marriage partner, however, in choosing to marry, one chooses monogamy. Decisions that individuals make will collectively create a set of principles and beliefs for all of man. Many people believe that a person's decisions are a reflection of his soul and personality. However, it is more...
or worse yet, bad luck, play a role in one's decisions. Instead, existentialism prompts a person to become liable for his choices. This often ignites anxiety because there is no longer a cushion to fall back on. Sartre explains this by saying, "the coward is defined on the basis of the acts he performs" 771. This portrays the idea that people are not born a certain way, or with a certain type of personality. Everyone creates his own essence by the decisions that he makes on a daily basis, and from this, he becomes the person that he created.