existence precedes essence

is a wrongheaded idea in that it is simply a reversal of plato and is thus still a metaphysical statement.

Sartre expresses the basic tenet of existentialism in this way: Existence precedes essence. In this statement he is taking existentia and essentia according to their metaphysical meaning, which from Plato's time on has said that essentia precedes existential. Sartre reverses this statement. But the reversal of a metaphysical statement remains a metaphysical statement' (Heidegger 'letter on Humanism' 232 in basic writings

is the idea that there is no 'human nature', that man first of all exist, encounters himself, surges up into the world, and defines himself only afterwards. Thus, one is entirely responsible for himself (and all mankind. In fashioning myself I fashion man).

What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence' We mean that man first of all exist, encounters himself, surges up in the world and defines himself afterwards. If man as the existentialist sees him is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then he will be what he makes of himself. Thus, there is no human nature, because there is no God to have a conception of it. Man simply is. (Sartre 'existentiallsm as humanism')Or if, to take a more personal case, I decide to marry and to have children, even though this decision proceeds simply from my situation, from my passion or my desire, I am thereby committing not only myself, but humanity as a whole, to the practice of monogamy. I am thus responsible for myself and for all men, and I am creating a certain image of man as I would have him to be. In fashioning myself I fashion man. (Sartre 'existentiallsm as humanism').

existence precedes essence, n.All

existence precedes essence