The Burden of Freedom

Sartre's concepts bring up the very touchy idea of being 'condemned to freedom', suggesting that freedom is a sort of burden. For Americans, a country who prides itself with freedom, even the suggestion seems, to many, like an insult.  We are condemned in the aspect that we have no choice but to choose one path over another. We can not simply sit idly and wait, for even that is a choice we make. This means that no matter how much we  may not want to we must always decide in some way. However true Sartre's statement I believe his wording is almost too harsh causing people to automatically want to dismiss his theories. Our freedom to choose is still something to cherish, it means that as a species we have the intelligence to make, and capability to act upon, these choices.

Another Observation

In response to philosowater.

I also would be cautious about dealing out absolutes. As far as the idea of people choosing to be poor there are a number of examples to consider. Without doubt there are definitely people who, despite their best efforts, fall into poverty and/or remain there. There are also those who choose to live a simplistic life, for religious believes or other personal beliefs.  There are then the individuals who simply abuse the opportunities that are presented to them. For example there are many stories of families in near by towns that have a low income job but instead of choosing to pay their rent, the money they obtain goes towards their Cable or internet bill. In many of these cases, these families rely and expect, state money to support them. So instead of trying to save up the money that they earn in order to secure a better future, it is often spent on unnecessary goods. It is simply another factor that might be considered before claiming that no one chooses to live paycheck to paycheck.

Determinism and Sartre

Sartre's idea of radical freedom of course conflicts greatly with any concept of determinism but then it is still possible for the two ideas to coexist in  some context. Determinism eliminates any possibility of free will, but even if you fully accept the concept of determinism no one can possibly conceive whatever path has been determined. So even if you believe fully in determinism you can not simply stop making choices(even to stop making choices would be a conscience choice) . For every aspect of our lives that we can actually perceive, it does seem as though everything relies on our choices and as Sartre( in his early works) would argue we are alone in our minds to make these choices.

Choosing

Sartre's idea that all choices are completely and unarguably our responsibility brings to mind the ignorant statement that people choose their sexuality. It can be heard constantly among religious followers and politicians  that individuals chose to be homosexual and that should be able to simply choose to be heterosexual. As if to say that individuals choose to be under constant ridiculed. They suggest that any one who is not heterosexual choose to be constantly bullied and assaulted by members of society. Even more so, that individuals choose to remain homosexual and end their lives instead of simply choosing to change their sexuality. These claims are arrogant and simply stated idiotic. It is the equivalent of saying that an man or woman could chose to be a different race or skin color that they were born.

Where Emotions Come From

The text explains that Sartre believed that we choose our emotions, just as we choose every other aspect of our mental lives, and we are thus fully responsible for them. So if "I am sad it is only because I choose to make myself sad." There is no doubt that in some cases this can be true. for instance you can choose to dwell on an idea or thought that makes you sad, or you can choose to think about other things that are pleasing to you. But in many instances the statement that we choose our emotions seems rather ignorant within modern knowledge. It is like telling a depressed person to stop being sad, that they themselves are making everything worse, even though countless studies have proven that depression is often caused by a serious chemical imbalance that people simply cannot control. Similarly, when we are being seriously physically attacked it is almost biological to feel fear or want to fight back, such as been labeled 'the fight or flight' reaction. So yes, there are often times and cases that we can choose how we feel about things but there are also severe cases in which people simply cannot.

Choice and Emotion

Thoughts on http://asfwr2012s.blogspot.com/2012/04/evangelism.html

It is interesting to observe how emotions greatly effect the choices that people make. Of course Sartre stated that emotions are ultimately our choice, as in it is our decision to be sad or happy, so they are also our responsibility. Despite their source, there is no doubt that emotions can play a very strong role in our decisions and choices. For instance, as Avery describes, a daughter choosing to follow a religion out of fear of being condemned may forever regret her decision. Another example is a man choosing to hurt another being in a fit of rage and then having to live with any punishments that come as a result, as well as any guilt. In any situation emotions, humanity's great gift, such as rage, fear,sadness or even bliss can cloud our judgments. They can pull us away from reason and make our choices irrational.