Being-in-itself and Being-for-itself

Jean-Paul Sartre, the french philosopher, had two different mode of being, being-in-itself and being-for-itself. Being in itself is being of things or objects for consciousness, and being for itself is basically the mode of being conscious in effect human being; it is aware of itself, thinks about itself and ultimately has a relation with itself. However, the main difference of these two modes is that the conscious.

Being in itself is that certain concept limits people’s imagination, and people start to follow the majority and social rules, and live in “others’ live” because people think in others way, talk in others’ words, and follow others’ rules. They put themselves in others position. They will not be themselves. On another hand, the others prevents people to live in their own life. They give themselves certain role in society and not to think any more. However, Sartre wants people to think, to be themselves.

Being for itself is an ideal mode of Sartre’s believe. Being for itself is to be oneself. One has their own opinion. People could their own opinion on everything. Sartre wants people to speak out their opinion, but not always follow the rules and majority. Oneself should be the prior of a person. People in a community will always be confirmed be the majority and impresses their own think. However, Sartre wants people to think by their own instead of being mindless working machine. People should not be limited by the society and willingness of the majority. They should not live as certain role in society but as an individual in this world.

However, when an infant first to this world, he or she is being in itself at first because they are learning about this world by looking and initiating imitating others. After gained enough knowledge, they will be form their own thinking about themselves and this world. Then, they will find their goal and take their own responsibility for what they had done.