Final answer:
In 'Existentialism is a Humanism,' Sartre illustrates the existentialist belief of absolute freedom and responsibility in the context of a young man's dilemma, underlining that existence precedes essence and each individual is responsible for the choices they make.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jean-Paul Sartre's "Existentialism is a Humanism," the philosopher presents a scenario where a young man is conflicted about whether to stay and care for his ailing mother or to join the Free French Forces and fight against the German occupation. Sartre uses this dilemma to highlight the principles of existentialist philosophy. According to Sartre, the young man is condemned to be free; he must make a choice, and in doing so, create his own values and meaning of life. There is no moral playbook or universal ethics to guide his decision—only his own absolute freedom and abiding responsibility. Sartre asserts that one's actions must stem from personal choice, sufficiently endorsed by oneself, affirming the existentialist belief that existence precedes essence. However, this extreme freedom comes with the burden of responsibility, which can induce a sense of nausea because each individual is fully responsible for the choices they make and the person they become.