Ethical Evaluation of Sartre's Concept of Freedom

Student: FearGod Chinedu Ikechukwu (Project, 2025)
Department of Philosophy
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Abstract

ABSTRACT Jean-Paul Sartre's existential ethics emphasizes human freedom and responsibility. His concept of freedom revolves around the idea that individuals are ultimately free to make choices and determine their own existence. For Sartre, freedom is about embracing the power to act authentically and taking full ownership of one's actions and their impact on the self and others. This existentialist view of freedom emphasizes the idea that we are always in control of our own choices and are responsible for shaping our own lives through our actions. The purpose of this work is to evaluate Sartre’s concept of freedom, offering more perspective on this fundamental philosophical concept. The problem this work addresses is the is that Sartre’s notion of freedom failed to account for relational freedom: how can my personal freedom exist in the midst of other people’s freedom? The method is critical and analytical. The thesis of this work is that while Sartre’s conception of radical freedom offers valuable insights into human responsibility and individual autonomy, it fails to adequately account for other people's right as different from the individual. Thus, a more balanced view of freedom is necessary, in order to balance the interplay between the individual and public rights.

Keywords
ethical evaluation sartre concept freedom
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