Final answer:
Sartre says we are condemned to be free because with freedom comes inherent responsibility for our choices and actions. As existentialists believe, this freedom is inescapable and integral to human existence, making us responsible for shaping our own lives and morality. Denying this freedom and responsibility is considered by Sartre an act of bad faith.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why does Sartre say that we are condemned to be free? Jean-Paul Sartre, a prominent existentialist philosopher, posits that our inherent freedom is a form of condemnation because with freedom comes responsibility. Being free means one cannot escape from making choices, and every choice entails consequences for which one is accountable. Sartre emphasizes that this unavoidable nature of choice and its subsequent responsibility is an intrinsic part of the human condition.
According to Sartre, we are not only free to make choices, but we are also completely responsible for these choices. This radical freedom means that humans are responsible for shaping their own existence and bear the weight of their decisions. Sartre criticizes those who deny their freedom or act in 'bad faith' by pretending they are not free, thereby shirking their responsibility.
Sartre argues that we are free to define our own morality and are accountable for the ripple effect of our actions on others. The concept of being 'condemned to be free' speaks to the unavoidable nature of human freedom and the profound responsibility it entails. Refusing to accept this freedom and responsibility is an act of bad faith, which Sartre considers a grave mistake.