Philosophy provides valuable insights for those seeking to live a more meaningful life, yet the abundance of information available can often feel overwhelming. To truly benefit from philosophical exploration, it is important to return to foundational concepts, such as Jean-Paul Sartre’s philosophy and the notion of temporality. Understanding these ideas can profoundly impact how we apply philosophy to enrich our lives. This article examines Sartre’s philosophy, the concept of temporality, and their significance in the quest for a more meaningful existence.
Key features of Sartre’s philosophy
Jean-Paul Sartre’s philosophy, often associated with existentialism, centers on the idea of human freedom and responsibility. He believed that people are not defined by pre-existing purposes or divine plans but are instead completely free to create their own meaning and identity. Sartre famously stated, “existence precedes essence,” which means that individuals exist first and define themselves through their actions and choices.
A key feature of Sartre’s thought is the concept of radical freedom. He argued that every person has the freedom to make choices, but with this freedom comes the weight of responsibility for those decisions. This responsibility creates what Sartre called “anguish,” a deep awareness of the burden of determining one’s own path in life.
Another important aspect of Sartre’s philosophy is “bad faith” (mauvaise foi), which occurs when people deny their freedom by blaming external factors—like societal expectations or fate—for their choices. Living authentically, according to Sartre, means accepting and embracing one’s freedom, even if it feels overwhelming.
Sartre’s ideas extend to how we interact with others. He discussed the idea of the “Other,” emphasizing the tension between personal freedom and how others perceive us. Though existentialism can feel heavy, Sartre ultimately aimed to empower individuals to take control of their lives and define their own purpose in a world without inherent meaning.
What is temporality?
Jean-Paul Sartre’s view on temporality is rooted in his existentialist philosophy, where time is not seen as an independent or external force but as a fundamental aspect of human existence. He argued that temporality is experienced personally and subjectively, shaped by our consciousness and our being. Sartre divided temporality into three interconnected dimensions—past, present, and future—but emphasized that they are not static or separate. Instead, they are interconnected through human freedom and choice.
The past is central to Sartre as it represents what has already been done or decided and cannot be changed. However, it still influences our current state of being. The present, or the “now,” is where consciousness actively exists. It is not simply a fleeting moment but the space where choices are made and actions are taken. The future, according to Sartre, is a realm of possibilities shaped by our present actions and intentions. Although it does not exist yet, the future plays a key role in influencing how we act in the present.
For Sartre, temporality highlights human freedom and responsibility, as we are not fixed by the past but can direct ourselves toward new possibilities. This dynamic interplay of past, present, and future forms the core of how Sartre describes our experience of time, emphasizing the active and subjective nature of being.
This example helps to demonstrate this philosophical perspective. Imagine a man reflecting on his past decisions while sitting alone in a quiet park. He recalls a moment in his youth where he chose one career path over another, and how that decision shaped not only his future but also his perception of himself. Now, as he looks back, he deeply feels that who he was then is inseparable from who he has become. Yet, he questions whether the person he once was truly dictated the present or if his current self interprets the past differently. Similarly, as he considers his future, he realizes it is not set in stone but filled with choices yet to be made. This interplay of reflection and anticipation captures the complexity of human temporality and highlights the intertwined nature of past, present, and future in shaping one’s sense of existence.
Challenges to Sartre’s view about temporality
Some philosophers object to or reject Sartre’s view about temporality due to several reasons that stem from differences in interpreting the nature of time and human experience. One major objection arises from the belief that Sartre’s approach overly emphasizes individual subjectivity. Critics argue that this focus minimizes the role of external structures and social influences in shaping how we experience time. They insist that temporality is not just about individual perception or consciousness but is also deeply intertwined with social, historical, and cultural contexts. For example, an individual’s experience of time can differ based on societal norms, economic conditions, or shared cultural milestones, which Sartre’s perspective may overlook.
Another critique is that Sartre’s view doesn’t align with certain scientific or objective understandings of time. Philosophers influenced by the natural sciences often argue that time must be understood in universal terms, as something anchored in measurable, external phenomena. From this angle, they find Sartre’s focus on the subjective and personal aspects of time insufficient, as it seems disconnected from the physical and cosmic realities that govern temporal order.
There are also concerns about the practical implications of Sartre’s ideas. Some philosophers worry that his stance may lead to a disconnection from shared human experiences, creating a solipsistic or overly individualistic view of temporality. For instance, neglecting the common rhythms of time, such as the cycles of nature or universally agreed-upon systems like calendars and clocks, could undermine the collective understanding that binds communities and generations together.
Additionally, many philosophers influenced by thinkers such as Heidegger or Bergson take issue with how Sartre conceptualizes human temporality. They assert that his views fail to fully capture the dynamic and interconnected nature of temporal experience. For these thinkers, time is not a series of isolated moments focused solely on personal consciousness, but a fluid and continuous interplay between past, present, and future that is inseparably tied to our relationships with others and the world.
These objections highlight a shared belief among Sartre’s critics: that temporality cannot be fully grasped by centring too narrowly on the inner workings of the individual mind. Instead, they call for a broader approach that embraces external contexts, scientific understanding, and shared human experiences when considering the nature of time.
Why temporality is important to Sartre’s philosophy
These are some of the primary reasons why grasping the concept of temporality is essential to comprehending Sartre’s philosophy.
- Temporality emphasizes the human experience of time.
Understanding temporality involves recognizing how humans experience time subjectively rather than viewing it as just a sequence of measurable moments. This concept highlights how our experiences of past, present, and future shape the way we live and act. For example, memories of the past often influence our identities, shaping how we see ourselves and the choices we make. Similarly, the future is not just something that happens to us—it’s something we often worry about, plan for, and aspire toward. By understanding temporality, we gain insight into the way people actively engage with time, which is crucial for exploring existential themes like meaning, freedom, and responsibility.
- Temporality connects personal freedom to decision-making.
Temporality shows how humans constantly project themselves toward future possibilities, making decisions in the present that affect their lives. This forward-looking perspective is key to understanding human freedom because it reveals how individuals are not bound by the past but are free to choose and create their paths. However, this freedom comes with responsibility, as it involves deciding how to act in ways that shape the future. Temporality, therefore, helps us see time as part of the framework through which people exercise their ability to make meaningful choices.
- Temporality demonstrates the dynamic nature of existence.
Rather than seeing human existence as static or fixed, temporality reveals it as fluid and constantly evolving. People are always in the process of becoming something new through their actions and choices. This dynamic view of existence helps us to understand the way humans are never complete or fully defined by one moment in time. It emphasizes growth, change, and adaptation, which are fundamental to the human condition. Recognizing this aspect of temporality allows us to appreciate how life is always in motion, shaped by an interplay of past actions and future aspirations.
Contrasting Sartre’s philosophy with Henri Bergson’s philosophy
Henri Bergson and Jean-Paul Sartre both explored the concept of time and temporality, but their approaches highlight important differences in their philosophies. Bergson’s perspective on temporality centers on the idea of “duration” (la durée), where time is experienced subjectively as a flow rather than as a sequence of discrete moments. Bergson believed that this continuous, qualitative experience of time is central to human consciousness, emphasizing intuition and personal perception over fixed, measurable units of time like those used in science.
Sartre, on the other hand, approached temporality within his existential framework, which emphasizes human freedom and responsibility. While Sartre also rejected rigid, objective notions of time, he did not focus on temporality as flowing duration in the same way Bergson did. Instead, Sartre examined how the past, present, and future are interconnected through human consciousness and how people project themselves into the future through their choices and actions. For Sartre, temporality is deeply tied to one’s engagement with the world, shaped by one’s freedom and ability to define meaning.
The key distinction lies in how each philosopher views the role of human consciousness in temporality. Bergson prioritizes intuition and subjective experience, presenting time as indivisibly tied to personal perception, while Sartre focuses on temporality as a sphere for exercising human freedom and responsibility. This difference reflects the broader divide between Bergson’s intuitive, fluid philosophy and Sartre’s existential emphasis on individual agency and action.
Temporality, Sartre’s philosophy and the philosophy of life
Reflecting on Sartre’s view about temporality, regardless of whether one agrees with it or not, is a valuable exercise in the broader effort of shaping a personal philosophy of life. Life is, at its core, an ongoing process of change and growth, constantly shaped by our experiences, choices, and perceptions of time. Considering ideas about temporality encourages us to think deeply about how we live, how we connect our past experiences to our present moment, and how we envision our future aspirations. These reflections can help us develop a more meaningful framework for understanding ourselves and our existence.
Sartre’s philosophy challenges us to confront the relationship between our actions and the passage of time. While we may not adopt all of his ideas, engaging with them sparks critical thinking about how our choices accumulate to define who we are. Reflecting on temporality reminds us that the past is unchangeable, but it often informs the present, while the future is shaped by the decisions we make today. This perspective can motivate us to take greater responsibility for our actions, knowing that every moment contributes to the story we’re crafting for ourselves.
From a practical standpoint, thinking about Sartre’s views helps us grapple with uncertainty and the fleeting nature of time. Often, people get caught up in regrets about the past or anxieties about the future, losing sight of their ability to act in the present. Considering the significance of decisions made in the “now” can help us live more intentionally, finding purpose in what we do rather than being paralyzed by what we cannot change.
Ultimately, reflecting on such philosophical perspectives equips us to build a more thoughtful and coherent life philosophy. Whether we view time as something linear, fluid, or open to interpretation, engaging with concepts like Sartre’s encourages us to remain curious and introspective. It pushes us to take control of our lives, focus on the moment we have, and actively shape the person we want to become. This process of reflection is not about fully agreeing or disagreeing but about using these ideas as tools for growth and deeper self-understanding.
Further reading
Aronson, R. (1987). Sartre’s second critique. University of Chicago Press.
Catalano, J. S. (1974). A commentary on Jean-Paul Sartre’s Being and Nothingness. University of Chicago Press.
Flynn, T. R. (2014). Sartre and Marxist existentialism. University of Chicago Press.
Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and time (J. Macquarrie & E. Robinson, Trans.). Harper & Row. (Original work published 1927)
Howells, C. (1992). “Sartre on Freedom and Temporality.” The Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, 23(2), 132–141.
Morris, P. (2008). Sartre on the relation between consciousness and temporality. Ashgate Publishing.
Sartre, J.-P. (1956). Being and nothingness (H. E. Barnes, Trans.). Washington Square Press. (Original work published 1943)
Sartre, J.-P. (2004). The imaginary (J. Webber, Trans.). Routledge.
Schäfer, L. (1976). “Jean-Paul Sartre’s Theory of Temporality.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 37(2), 180–191.
Warnock, M. (1970). The philosophy of Sartre. Hutchinson.
Wild, J. (1960). “The Ontological Relation Between Freedom, Time, and Being in Sartre’s Philosophy.” Philosophical Review, 69(1), 46–68.