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Single Idea 20764

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / e. Character ]

Full Idea

In creating the man that we want to be, there is not a single one of our acts which does not at the same time create an image of man as we think he ought to be.

Gist of Idea

In becoming what we want to be we create what we think man ought to be

Source

Jean-Paul Sartre (Existentialism and Humanism [1945], p.293), quoted by Kevin Aho - Existentialism: an introduction 7 'Anything'

Book Ref

Aho,Kevin: 'Existentialism: an introduction' [Polity 2014], p.108

A Reaction

I recall this being one of my earliest thoughts about morality - that in everything we do we are all role models for the people around us. For me, that leads to virtue theory.

The 16 ideas from 'Existentialism and Humanism'

6868 'Existence precedes essence' means we have no pre-existing self, but create it through existence [Sartre, by Le Poidevin]
3842 Existence before essence (or begin with the subjective) [Sartre]
3844 Existentialism says man is whatever he makes of himself [Sartre]
3843 There is no human nature [Sartre]
20764 In becoming what we want to be we create what we think man ought to be [Sartre]
20762 There are no values to justify us, and no excuses [Sartre]
20754 It is dishonest to offer passions as an excuse [Sartre]
20763 When my personal freedom becomes involved, I must want freedom for everyone else [Sartre]
3845 Without God there is no intelligibility or value [Sartre]
3846 Man IS freedom [Sartre]
22229 Existentialists says that cowards and heroes make themselves [Sartre]
6571 When a man must choose between his mother and the Resistance, no theory can help [Sartre, by Fogelin]
3847 Man is nothing else but the sum of his actions [Sartre]
3848 Cowards are responsible for their cowardice [Sartre]
3851 If I do not choose, that is still a choice [Sartre]
3852 If values depend on us, freedom is the foundation of all values [Sartre]