Final answer:
Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist philosophy suggests that people who live a meaningful life are somewhat odd or eccentric because they embrace the freedom to define themselves, leading to choices that deviate from societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Paul Sartre believed that a person would end up being somewhat odd or eccentric if they are to live a life of meaning because his existentialist philosophy emphasizes that existence precedes essence.
This principle means that individuals are born without predefined characteristics or purposes; instead, they must actively define themselves through their actions and choices in life.
Given the absolute freedom to shape their own essence, individuals have to take full responsibility for their actions, which can lead to decisions and lifestyles that deviate from societal norms, potentially resulting in perceived oddness or eccentricity.
Moreover, for Sartre, being in bad faith is to deny this responsibility and freedom, acting as if one's choices are made for them. Consequently, the true embrace of freedom, and the authentic life that follows, can appear unconventional or strange to those who conform to common societal roles or expectations.
This degree of freedom and responsibility can be overwhelming, producing a sense of angst, or what Sartre referred to as being 'condemned to be free', highlighting the inherent responsibility within this freedom.
Existentialism suggests that by engaging with this radical freedom and shaping one's unique essence, people can find genuine meaning in their lives. For artists, such as those involved with Abstract Expressionism, the physical struggle with their materials and the creation of a unique artistic style serves as a lasting mark of existence.