Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Hans Reichenbach, Jean-Paul Sartre and Oxford Univ 1350

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4 ideas

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / a. Nature of value
There are no values to justify us, and no excuses [Sartre]
     Full Idea: There are no values or commands to turn to which legitimize our conduct. …We are alone with no excuses.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Existentialism and Humanism [1945], p.296), quoted by Kevin Aho - Existentialism: an introduction 6 'Bad'
     A reaction: If there are no values or duties, why might you ever need excuses?
22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / d. Subjective value
If values depend on us, freedom is the foundation of all values [Sartre]
     Full Idea: Once a man has seen that values depend upon himself, he can only will one thing, and that is freedom as the foundation of all values.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Existentialism and Humanism [1945], p.51)
     A reaction: I don't think so. Is freedom the foundation of all arithmetic, because I am untrammelled when doing addition? Values are ridiculous if they don't reflect facts.
Sartre's freedom is not for whimsical action, but taking responsibility for our own values [Sartre, by Daigle]
     Full Idea: Readers often confuse Sartre's notion of freedom with the freedom of acting whimsically ....but since there is no God, we must create our own values. Freedom is not merely a licence to act whimsically.; it entails responsibility.
     From: report of Jean-Paul Sartre (Being and Nothingness [1943]) by Christine Daigle - Jean-Paul Sartre 2.3
     A reaction: The idea that we create our values comes from Nietzsche. Did Sartre want everyone to behave like an übermensch? How can you form a society from individuals who create private values, even if they (somehow) take responsibility for them?
22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love
Love is the demand to be loved [Sartre]
     Full Idea: Love is the demand to be loved.
     From: Jean-Paul Sartre (Being and Nothingness [1943], p.488), quoted by Christine Daigle - Jean-Paul Sartre 2.5
     A reaction: Is that all love is? Hard to imagine someone loving another person without hoping that the other person will reciprocate. You need high self-esteem to 'demand' it. Low self-esteem merely hopes for it. He says the other person may feel the same.