Jean-Paul Sartre · Philosophy

The Look and Being-for-Others

Other people change everything. Under the gaze of another, Sartre says, I am suddenly turned from a free subject into an object - fixed, judged, an outside seen by eyes I cannot see from. &lsquo;The Look&rsquo; reveals a third mode of being, <em>being-for-others</em>, and with it shame, conflict, and the famous verdict: &ldquo;Hell is other people.&rdquo;

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that for Sartre the gaze of the Other (&lsquo;the Look&rsquo;) turns me from a free subject into an object - fixing, judging, and alienating me. Explain the keyhole example, the role of shame, and why Sartre thinks relations with others tend toward conflict.

Leads to Hegel.

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