In the book ‘Being and Happiness’ written in 1943, the existential French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre
identified a problem that according to him is ruining modern life.
“Mauvaise Foi” or “Bad Faith”
“Bad faith” occurs when we deceive ourselves to avoid short-term pains
but as a result, we suffer from psychological problems.
We force ourselves to believe in something we are not very convinced, because it is easier for us.
Especially Sartre thinks, we always lie to ourselves, as we have no other options or solutions.
We always have, but we are surprised to find it safer to say that we do not have.
“Bad Faith” is often encountered in the workplace.
Sartre describes a waiter who convinces himself that there is nothing but a waiter. Had it been his destiny or lot in life.
He says to himself that there is no other way, he must continue because he needs the money.
But that’s not true, insists Sartre. We are all free.
We spend scary, almost disgusting moments in what Sartre calls ‘Negative Trance’,
which may appear late at night, when we realize that we are actually far cheaper than we think we are.
We can leave a job, go to live in forests, or rediscover ourselves.
It is painful when we realize that we are bringing harm to life and that we are responsible for this,
however in most cases we blame the circumstances or other people.
And we usually suppress this feeling. The next day we try to convince ourselves of what we are doing.
The price we pay for this is burning opportunities to change and improve our lives.
We forget, according to Sarte, that “Being precedes Essence”
This means that Who we are can not be reduced to a specific work or relationship.
Our being is many times greater.
According to Sartre, it includes “all the opportunities we do not have, but that we can potentially achieve.”
Through the “Bad Faith” we remove those opportunities from ourselves, and convince ourselves that the way we are in the present is the only way we can be,
so, “Bad Faith” lifts us away from the possibilities of freedom.
Sartre notes that “Bad Faith” is a symptom of the high number of unhappy relationships.
He finds his origins at first meetings when a couple suddenly finds out that they are not fit at all
but then force themselves to believe they can be happy together.
In the case of Sartre, a woman wants to be fond of her mind, and can not withstand the suspicion that her partner is more interested in her body.
Meanwhile, the husband understands that the woman is not interested in sexually, but keeps telling herself that she is actually.
They both deceive themselves and that is why they are unhappy.
“Bad Faith” will cause them to blame each other, saying the problem lies in cold or lack of maturity,
when in fact it is their own fault.
Sartre does not think that “Bad Faith” is an unusual problem. But it’s just how the human mind works.
He did not want us to feel bad. But just wanted to remind us to be as cheap as we are (potential)
identified a problem that according to him is ruining modern life.
“Mauvaise Foi” or “Bad Faith”
“Bad faith” occurs when we deceive ourselves to avoid short-term pains
but as a result, we suffer from psychological problems.
We force ourselves to believe in something we are not very convinced, because it is easier for us.
Especially Sartre thinks, we always lie to ourselves, as we have no other options or solutions.
We always have, but we are surprised to find it safer to say that we do not have.
“Bad Faith” is often encountered in the workplace.
Sartre describes a waiter who convinces himself that there is nothing but a waiter. Had it been his destiny or lot in life.
He says to himself that there is no other way, he must continue because he needs the money.
But that’s not true, insists Sartre. We are all free.
We spend scary, almost disgusting moments in what Sartre calls ‘Negative Trance’,
which may appear late at night, when we realize that we are actually far cheaper than we think we are.
We can leave a job, go to live in forests, or rediscover ourselves.
It is painful when we realize that we are bringing harm to life and that we are responsible for this,
however in most cases we blame the circumstances or other people.
And we usually suppress this feeling. The next day we try to convince ourselves of what we are doing.
The price we pay for this is burning opportunities to change and improve our lives.
We forget, according to Sarte, that “Being precedes Essence”
This means that Who we are can not be reduced to a specific work or relationship.
Our being is many times greater.
According to Sartre, it includes “all the opportunities we do not have, but that we can potentially achieve.”
Through the “Bad Faith” we remove those opportunities from ourselves, and convince ourselves that the way we are in the present is the only way we can be,
so, “Bad Faith” lifts us away from the possibilities of freedom.
Sartre notes that “Bad Faith” is a symptom of the high number of unhappy relationships.
He finds his origins at first meetings when a couple suddenly finds out that they are not fit at all
but then force themselves to believe they can be happy together.
In the case of Sartre, a woman wants to be fond of her mind, and can not withstand the suspicion that her partner is more interested in her body.
Meanwhile, the husband understands that the woman is not interested in sexually, but keeps telling herself that she is actually.
They both deceive themselves and that is why they are unhappy.
“Bad Faith” will cause them to blame each other, saying the problem lies in cold or lack of maturity,
when in fact it is their own fault.
Sartre does not think that “Bad Faith” is an unusual problem. But it’s just how the human mind works.
He did not want us to feel bad. But just wanted to remind us to be as cheap as we are (potential)
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