Jean-Paul Sartre and Existential Choice

The existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre thought that human beings live in anguish. Not because life is terrible. But rather because, we’re ‘condemned to be free’. We're ‘thrown’ into existence, become aware of ourselves, and have to make choices. Even deciding not to choose is a choice. According to Sartre, every choice reveals what we think a human being should be.

Narrated by Stephen Fry. Scripted by Nigel Warburton.

This project is from the BBC in partnership with The Open University, the animations were created by Cognitive.

[Obama_OReilly]

video: there is no escape from the anguish of existence
video: *smooth jazz*

[beingeating]

I wish every idea could be explained to me this way: Illustrating Info graph, narration, cool Jazz. I guess I’ve turned myself into a video learner. There’s no escape.

[danielxu]

"I have to art as if everyone is watching me, and there is no escape." -- even more true in the age of internet.

[emrkqof]

As an ongoing graphic designer I have to emphasize your wonderful design on these videos. Very original!

[voraciousreader]

I remember when I first experienced the realization that not choosing is a choice....I was 9 years old and had never hear of Sartre. It did turn my brains into a knot at first, I’ll tell you!

[havefunbesafe]

Jeez, best 2 minute lecture on existentialism/Sartre everrrr!

[homersimpson]

Nicely done, I wish the BBC did a lot more like this, and longer.

[pustakawanmendunia]

Amazing way to explain Sartre. Thank you! ❤️

[John-irid]

I agree with him up to the idea that our individual attitudes and actions are a prescription for others. Insofar as we are all individuals born into relatively idiosyncratic circumstances in an ever-changing world, it may be prudent for me to take up an attitude or commit an act for my own well-being in a particular moment, but it does not follow that I would or should prescribe those attitudes and acts to another, much less for the entire species, who is in all likelihood in a different place and time than I am.

[jules]

I'm having a seminar for class on self based off of Sarte, Hume, and Descartes, this video really helped!

[rolandolabartini]

I love how this youtuber explained us on what Sartre in a simple illustration

[sleepyeyeguy]

"existence precedes essence" is not limited to human existence, but to all things. Existentialism is not merely a human centered idea.

[DarkAngelEU]

Alot of existentialism feels like buddhism, ie it's all about perspective. And it's true, if you actually believe you can be a different person than who you are today, this label, your name, will fade and make way for another one. It is only the amount of effort you put in it that will decide how fruitful your success will be and often that's hard to say the least.
Besides, life's quite amusing from an existentialist's pov, far more relaxing than being hopelessly romantic

[SafetyMentalst]

"Seek Natures Beauty"
Beauty of nature is on full display
An those who seek it win the day
Natures wonder behold everyday
Beauty of nature to be seen today
An natures beauty has a lot to say

[swatik]

It was pretty awesome to watch the sketching.. Amazing artwork..

[atrijitdas]

that last drawing of the eyeball chained to Jean. Woahh

[rituparna]

I read so many books to understand the concept. I wish Iknew this site earlier.

[albertinacamus]

And we have no idea which decision is good or wrong . Every single choice we make is a risk and might be a mistake that ruins our life

[carsonb]

Existentialists philosophers understand the human condition better than any other person or discipline.

[BartAnderson_writer]

Survival as an individual and as a group - what we are designed for.