The Priority of Being

The philosophical concept “Existence precedes essence” posits that, for human beings, our being in the world comes before any inherent nature or predetermined purpose. Unlike objects that are created with a specific function or blueprint in mind, humans first exist as individuals, and through their choices, actions, and experiences, they subsequently define who they are. This concept focuses on the radical freedom and responsibility of human existence, prescriptive that we are the creators of our own lives.

The Absence of Predefined Purpose

Think about the development of a tool, a knife, for instance. Its creation and construction follow a preconceived notion of its utility – cutting. Can we apply this paradigm of preconceived function to the entry of a human being into the world?

When they are born into the world, a human being has no pre-given role or intrinsic set of traits that determine their essence. Unlike mass-produced goods with an intended function before they were created, humans are born without an existing essence. They are merely here, a thinking and acting being, but without an innate script to adhere to.

The Burden of Freedom

If people are not born with an already established identity or set of values, then what is the central force behind influencing who they end up being and what meaning they derive in their existence?

Without a fixed essence, people are faced with the continuous challenge of defining themselves through their actions and decisions. Each choice they make, each step they take, helps build their individual identity. This ability to form one’s own being brings with it an immense responsibility, as people are held responsible for the essence they forge through their lived experiences.

The Subjectivity of Meaning

Consider the many ways people live their lives and the many values they hold. If there were an universal, inherent human nature, would it be possible for so many different beliefs and behaviors to exist?

The lack of an antecedent essence permits subjective value and meaning to arise. People, as they interact with reality and make decisions, construct for themselves systems of meaning. Something one individual finds significant or valuable can vary considerably from another’s, a measure of the subjective meaning that is the product of their specific life and experience.

The Openness of Possibility

Look at the path of a human life. Are humans ever really complete works, with their nature finally defined, or is the act of self-creation a continuous part of their life?

The idea proposes that the development of essence is not a fixed destination but a dynamic process that continues to evolve throughout one’s lifetime. So long as one lives and continues to make decisions, the description of his or her being is open to continued development and reinterpretation. Every new experience and choice adds to the ongoing story of self-making.

The Enduring Implications of Prioritizing Existence

Essentially, “Existence precedes essence” emphasizes the key concept that human beings are born with no predetermined nature or purpose. Our existence precedes, and it is in our later choices, actions, and experiences with the world that we create our individual essences. This principle emphasizes the radical freedom and inherent responsibility that are part of human existence, insisting that we are the designers of our own selves and the makers of our own meaning. The long-term implications of this idea are in its acknowledgment of the dynamic and self-determined nature of human being, where each person is charged with the perpetual task of figuring out who they are through the manner in which they live.