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From the Look to Mitsein: Sartre's Description and Vision of Relations with Others
- 1 University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
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Abstract
Sartre's identification of the presence of others begins with the analysis of shame, through which others are defined as syntheses of objecthood and subjectivity. In this context, others form a fundamental relationship with me by looking at me. Others exist in tandem with me as both object and subject, exerting a decentering effect on my existence. Furthermore, others compel my being-for-itself to be redefined by my being-in-itself. Consequently, I develop two concrete relationships with others: one involves transcending the specificity of others, while the other involves assimilating the specificity of others to my own. However, both types of relationships are destined to fail due to the inherently conflictual nature of interpersonal interactions. The coexistence of "we" arises from the interplay between myself and others, wherein "we" can jointly serve as both subject and object. Nevertheless, this "we" relationship remains secondary to the conflictual dynamic between myself and others. Achieving harmony and equilibrium with others requires transcending one's natural state and pursuing mutual recognition of each other's freedom.
Keywords
Sartre, others, the Look, freedom
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Cite this article
Ding,Q. (2025). From the Look to Mitsein: Sartre's Description and Vision of Relations with Others. Advances in Humanities Research,11,41-45.
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