Single Idea 7074

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature]

Full Idea

Man is a useless passion.

Gist of Idea

Man is a useless passion

Source

Jean-Paul Sartre (Being and Nothingness [1943], IV.2.III)

Book Reference

Sartre,Jean-Paul: 'Being and Nothingness' [Routledge 2003], p.636


A Reaction

Memorable and neat. Since all of existence is ultimately 'useless', that part of it is not a revelation. The notion that we are essentially a 'passion' chimes nicely with David Hume's view, against the enlightenment rational view, and against Aristotle.