45) This is to say that external observation is required for knowledge. He goes on to say, Thus we find ourselves in a world which is, let us say that, of inter-subjectivity. (Sartre, pg. 45) People exist in a world with others perceiving different objective events. (Sartre, pg. 46) Man is indeed a project which possess a subjective life (Sartre, pg. 28) One could logically argue from this, that experiencing different events, will further establish a general difference among individuals, making every human being unique. From this uniqueness, one can conclude that different people will have different ideas about the meaning of existence. Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself....and this is what people call its subjectivity..., (Sartre, pg. 28)The importance of freedom:Another key notion in modern existentialism is that of freedom. Gadamer refers to it as the highest principle that humans can strive for. (Madison, Dec. 3, 1998) Heidegger, Marcel, Sartre and Camus all agree that individual persons should not be subjected unnecessarily to the will of others that is subjectively considered to be highly undesirable. Slavery and torture are extreme examples, of things that should be considered highly undesirable afflictions, brought on by the will of others. Freedom can best be explained by everything that it is not. (Madison, Sept. 24, 1998) Gabriel Marcel asks the question, What is a free man?. (Marcel, pg. 13) The natural tendency is to consider anyone who lives in a so-called free country to be free. (Marcel, pg. 17) Marcel would claim many things exist in society that call into question the freedom of human beings. One such example is the notion that we are slaves to technology. (Marcel, pg. 21) For example, people cant even do math nowadays without the aid of a calculator. (Madison, Sept. 24, 1998) This is the other extreme example of freedom which allows us to ponder its nature and limits. ...
