Jean-Paul Sartre's concept of "bad faith" is a central idea in his philosophy of existentialism. It refers to the tendency of individuals to deny their own freedom and responsibility by adopting certain attitudes and beliefs that prevent them from taking control of their own lives.
According to Sartre, bad faith is a form of self-deception in which individuals deny their own freedom and responsibility by pretending to be something they are not. For example, a person may deny their own freedom by claiming that they are "just following orders" or that their behavior is determined by external factors such as their upbringing or social conditioning.
Bad faith is particularly insidious because it allows individuals to avoid taking responsibility for their own lives. By denying their own freedom and responsibility, they can avoid making difficult choices and taking risks. However, Sartre argues that this ultimately leads to a sense of emptiness and despair, as individuals come to realize that they are not living authentic lives.
One of the key ways that individuals engage in bad faith is by adopting what Sartre calls "roles." Roles are social constructs that individuals use to define their place in the world. For example, a person may adopt the role of a parent, a teacher, or a politician. While roles can be useful in certain contexts, Sartre argues that they can also be a form of bad faith because they limit individuals' freedom to act authentically.
Another way that individuals engage in bad faith is by denying their own mortality. Sartre argues that individuals often try to escape the fact that they will eventually die by engaging in activities that distract them from this reality. For example, a person may work excessively, engage in risky behavior, or seek out pleasure and excitement in order to avoid thinking about their own mortality.
Ultimately, Sartre argues that bad faith is a form of self-deception that prevents individuals from living authentic lives. By denying their own freedom and responsibility, individuals become trapped in a cycle of emptiness and despair. To overcome bad faith, individuals must embrace their own freedom and responsibility, and take control of their own lives by making authentic choices and taking risks.
Read more:
Sartre's Bad Faith and Heidegger's Inauthenticity
Sartre's concept of bad faith and Marx's false consciousness
Essence vs. Existence in Sartre’s Philosophy