Are You a Subhuman? | The Existential Crisis You Can’t Ignore

Summary

Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophy on freedom explores the tension between personal autonomy and external constraints. In *The Ethics of Ambiguity*, she distinguishes between two existential archetypes: the ‘serious person’, who clings to predefined values to escape responsibility, and the ‘subhuman’, who denies freedom altogether, passively drifting through life. Beauvoir argues that true freedom requires embracing responsibility and making choices, even when faced with uncertainty. The video invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with freedom, urging them to confront life’s ambiguity and avoid becoming trapped in passivity or blind adherence to external systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 We are inherently free, and freedom is a central part of the human condition, according to existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir.
• 😀 Beauvoir argues that any attempt to escape freedom is an illusion, as escaping from freedom is itself a form of choosing and thus an act of freedom.
• 😀 People who deny their freedom often hide from responsibility, leading to an unfulfilled life where they fail to engage meaningfully with existence.
• 😀 The existentialist concept of the 'subhuman' refers to individuals who deny their freedom and passively accept life without actively creating meaning or responsibility.
• 😀 Beauvoir's existentialism views freedom as both a gift and a burden: we are free to act within limitations, and through this freedom, we can shape our lives authentically.
• 😀 According to Beauvoir, existentialists must confront the ambiguity of freedom, where we are both subjects who can make choices and objects influenced by external circumstances.
• 😀 Beauvoir's book *The Ethics of Ambiguity* explores how individuals can live authentically in a world that lacks inherent meaning, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with freedom.
• 😀 True freedom requires transcending facticity (the given facts of our situation), but this struggle to overcome obstacles is unique to each individual, and no universal guide can provide an exact path to freedom.
• 😀 Freedom, as Beauvoir defines it, always comes with responsibility. Our choices have consequences, and we must be aware of how they impact others.
• 😀 Beauvoir identifies two attitudes that deny freedom: the 'serious person' and the 'subhuman'. The serious person gives up their freedom to external systems, while the subhuman rejects it entirely and becomes a passive, uncritical follower of external forces.
• 😀 The serious person seeks meaning in predefined roles and values, often sacrificing their authenticity for the security and certainty provided by those roles, while the subhuman abandons responsibility entirely, drifting through life without engaging with its complexities.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Simone de Beauvoir's *The Ethics of Ambiguity*?

The central theme of *The Ethics of Ambiguity* is the tension between human freedom and the constraints imposed by facticity. Beauvoir explores how freedom is both a gift and a burden, and how individuals must navigate the ambiguity of their existence to live authentically.

How does Simone de Beauvoir define 'freedom' in existentialist terms?

For Beauvoir, freedom is the inherent ability to make choices and shape one’s life, despite the constraints of external circumstances. It is a dual-edged sword—while it allows individuals to create meaning, it also carries the burden of responsibility and the anxiety of ambiguity.

What is 'facticity' and how does it relate to freedom?

'Facticity' refers to the circumstances and conditions in which an individual finds themselves, such as their birth, environment, social status, and historical context. While facticity limits us, freedom is the ability to transcend or navigate these constraints by making authentic choices.

What are the two archetypes that Simone de Beauvoir identifies as denying freedom?

Beauvoir identifies the 'serious person' and the 'subhuman' as two archetypes that deny their freedom. The serious person does so by submitting to external values, while the subhuman denies freedom by passively accepting the limitations imposed by their circumstances.

What is the difference between the 'serious person' and the 'subhuman'?

The serious person surrenders their freedom to external values or systems, such as ideologies or societal roles, seeking meaning in these structures. In contrast, the subhuman passively accepts their limitations and allows external factors to define them, often retreating into distractions rather than confronting their freedom.

How does Beauvoir view the concept of responsibility in relation to freedom?

Beauvoir views responsibility as inseparable from freedom. To be truly free, individuals must recognize that their choices impact not only themselves but also the world around them. Authentic freedom requires taking responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences.

How does Beauvoir suggest we navigate the 'ambiguity of freedom'?

Beauvoir suggests that we navigate the ambiguity of freedom by embracing the tension between our limitations (facticity) and our ability to choose (freedom). This involves actively engaging with life and making authentic choices rather than succumbing to external systems or passivity.

What role does the concept of childhood play in Beauvoir’s understanding of freedom?

Beauvoir argues that in childhood, individuals are not aware of the ambiguity of freedom. Children see the world as absolute and unquestionable, as dictated by their parents and teachers. As they grow, they become aware of the contingent nature of values and roles, which can lead to a confrontation with the freedom to define their own meaning in life.

Why does Beauvoir argue that the subhuman is dangerous?

Beauvoir argues that the subhuman is dangerous because their passivity makes them vulnerable to manipulation. They often adopt ideologies without critical thought and can become tools for oppressive forces, contributing to harmful movements without recognizing the responsibility of their choices.

What does Beauvoir mean by 'an ethics of ambiguity'?

'An ethics of ambiguity' refers to an approach to life that embraces the complexity and uncertainty of existence. It rejects fixed moral systems and instead encourages individuals to make choices based on their unique circumstances, accepting the inherent ambiguity of freedom and responsibility.