Delve deeper with this week’s Philosophical Insights Premium download. Don’t miss out — add this pdf article to your collection today.

Here are three philosophical questions for you. They’re related to our recent Philosophical Insights Premium article, The Existential Crisis Through the Lens of Sartre.

Are you truly living authentically?

Jean-Paul Sartre famously argued that "existence precedes essence," meaning that we are not born with predetermined purposes but instead create meaning through our decisions and actions. Reflecting on recent moments of doubt in your own life, how much of your daily routine is something you’ve consciously chosen? Or are you simply following expectations others have set? The article The Existential Crisis Through the Lens of Sartre challenges us to confront these questions and asks whether we are living authentically or falling into what Sartre called "bad faith."

What does an existential crisis reveal about freedom?

Sartre described the experience of existential crises as a confrontation with our own "radical freedom"—the realization that we are entirely responsible for creating our own sense of purpose. While this freedom can evoke anguish or fear, it also opens a door to incredible personal growth. Think about a time when your future felt uncertain or when your plans no longer brought you fulfillment. Did you seize the opportunity to redefine your goals and take meaningful steps forward, or did you avoid it altogether? Sartre challenges us to view this anguish not as a failure but as a necessary stepping stone to a richer, more intentional life.

Are you avoiding responsibility for your choices?

According to Sartre, "bad faith" occurs when we deceive ourselves to avoid the discomfort of freedom. For example, staying in a job or relationship you’re deeply unhappy with might seem easier than confronting the weight of change, but is it truly serving you? When was the last time you reflected on whether your choices align with the life you genuinely want to create? The article emphasizes that recognizing and taking responsibility for these moments is crucial to living authentically and rejecting the passivity of bad faith.

These questions, inspired by the themes in The Existential Crisis Through the Lens of Sartre, invite you to reflect on your role as the author of your own life. Sartre believed this process—full of doubt and uncertainty—is what makes human existence both challenging and extraordinary.