Jean Paul Sartre On The Anti Semite

Essay, Research Paper

Question 4

Describe the anti-semitic person’s attitude toward reason. How does his attitude toward reason reflect or reveal his general attitude toward life, the human condition and even himself. How does his attitude toward reason compare to the attitude of the rational man.

Sartre explains that an Anti-Semite is “impenetrable”, and it is actually something he strives to achieve. By gaining impenetrability, the Anti-Semite strengthens his beliefs because another person is not capable of reasoning with him. Sartre believes the Anti-Semite’s “reason” is based on the passion for hatred that he holds for the Jew. Sartre uses the word “monoideism” to explain the irrational Anti-Semite’s passion which is driven by love for his race and jealousy of the Jew. The Anti-Semite chooses to be impenetrable without consideration of different options.

Sartre believes that the Anti-Semite gains strong conviction because he prefers to be “impervious to reason”. The Anti-Semite’s view on life is distorted by his impenetrability. Through his life, the Anti-Semite believes that his beliefs are rational and even valid. His perception is effected; his hate for the Jew often consumes him. This consumption does not allow him to admit when he is wrong, or even consider other reasoning. His idea of others, besides those that belong to his race, becomes false. He begins to label others as inferior, evil, greedy, etc. These ideas are based on fear and misconceptions. He believes that all Anti-Semitic views are fact with no exceptions. This causes a distorted view on the human condition. Sartre believes that the Anti-Semite views himself as pure, without flaw. On the other hand, everyone else is mentally disturbed, physically incapable, and, as I stated before, evil.

Sartre states that the Anti-Semite differs from the “rational man” because of the rational man’s openness. The rational man is open to all ideas; he strives to gain more factual information to back his views. However, the Anti-Semite remains closed-minded and chooses to be ignorant to the fact that his beliefs are not valid. The rational man seeks information, and does not feel content until his quest for knowledge is over. The rational man is even “hesitant” when he states his ideas, or comes to conclusions. He realizes that there are other views on every subject, and he wants to contemplate over every possible idea that he is able to think of until he reaches his own. The “reasonable man” will even admit when he is proven wrong, and change his view. The Anti-Semite wishes not to change, and claims, even when proven wrong, that his beliefs are still of a valid and true nature.

Sartre believes the actual content of truth frightens the Anti-Semite. The idea of there being other views is ignored by the Anti-Semite. He chooses to remain “innate”. They want to come to a conclusion right away, and consider only the factors that benefit him.

Sartre blames the Anti-Semites ability to ignore reasoning and research on “emotional bias”. Through this emotional bias, he feels at ease because he is in a state of bliss; he feels as though he knows all he needs to know about life.

In conclusion, the Anti-Semite disregards any other ideas besides his own, and those of his “brothers”. Sartre states that the Anti-Semite is irrational, and incapable of being open to different and conflicting views. Sartre, also, states that this impenetrability is based on emotional bias and a passion for hatred. The rational man is able to accept and learn of new ideas, but the Anti-Semite will only consider the ideas that benefit and support his ideas, and he will actual disregard the fact that his ideas are based on stereotypes and racism. The Anti-Semite believes that the Jew is evil, and that it is his responsibility to rid the world of this evil.

Question 5

If it is really true that “existence precedes essence,” and that “there is no difference between the being of man and his being free”, how is it possible for a human being to be oppressed and rendered un-free. If “man is freedom” why must we seek freedom.

To be free, one must, first, be a human being; one must be considered a human being. A little over a century ago, African Americans were not considered human. We were seen as animals, beasts. When the colonial man ventured into Africa, and began to enslave the natives, we were seen a property. We were placed in the same category as cattle. During those times we were seen as property, hence we were “un-free”, both physically and mentally. Now, if one is enslaved physically, he may still be considered free. He has the ability to mentally disenfranchise himself from his current surroundings. However, the slaves were mentally exhausted from constant abuse.

The white men made sure that our oppression would last. They actually made it illegal for slaves to learn. Now, if were beasts, why would they not make it illegal for cattle to learn. They lied to themselves! They knew that if we were enlightened we would be able to overcome oppression. Sartre believed that the “obstruction and rationality of a human being” could be achieved by subduing enlightenment. He also states that, “one cannot turn a human being into something else.” A person can be crippled intellectually, and his or her social consciousness is nonexistent.

Man is free, but some