Final answer:
Sartre's concept of freedom asserts that individuals are always free to make choices and thus responsible for their actions, which guides them to live authentically and avoid 'bad faith,' where one denies their own freedom and responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Paul Sartre's concept of freedom is intricately related to existentialism and deeply influenced by Heidegger's ontology. According to Sartre, freedom is a fundamental aspect of human existence; one that is unavoidable and inescapable. This notion of freedom posits that humans are completely free to make their own choices, which in turn leads to a profound sense of responsibility for these choices.
Sartres believes that most people, however, act in bad faith, a term he uses to describe the act of deceiving oneself into thinking that one's choices and responsibilities are limited by circumstances, societal roles, or other external factors. In contrast, proper choices, according to Sartre, are made when individuals acknowledge and own their freedom, taking full responsibility for their actions and the outcomes of these actions without hiding behind excuses.
Following ethics and a moral framework are crucial as they guide individuals in making proper choices. For Sartre, there's no essence preceding our existence; rather, our essence is defined by the choices we make. Each choice reflects our personal values and shapes our identity, which means living authentically requires one to act in accordance with one's true self, avoiding bad faith, and embracing the freedom inherent in existence.