Question

Read the following statements carefully and answer the following question.
i. Rahul is not what he is and is what he is not.
ii. The book is a book and can be nothing more.
iii. Of course, a book is a book, but it can always be something more.
iv. Rahul is what he is and must always be so.
Which of the following pairs of statements given below is NOT compatible with Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existential Philosophy?

• A. iii and iv
• B. i and iii
• C. ii and iv
• D. i and ii

Hint:

For Sartre, any statement that fixes human nature permanently or denies freedom and becoming is incompatible with existentialism.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C

Step 1: Recall Sartre’s core existential claims.
Jean-Paul Sartre argues that existence precedes essence. Human beings are not fixed by a predetermined nature and are always in the process of becoming. Freedom, negation, and transcendence are central to his philosophy.
Step 2: Evaluate the individual statements.
(i) Compatible: This reflects Sartre’s idea of negation and transcendence—human beings are not identical with any fixed essence.
(ii) Not compatible: This treats a being as having a fixed essence with no possibility of transcendence, which Sartre rejects.
(iii) Compatible: This captures Sartre’s view that entities (especially humans) can always become more than what they presently are.
(iv) Not compatible: This asserts essentialism and determinism, directly contradicting Sartre’s emphasis on freedom and becoming.
Step 3: Identify incompatible pairs.
(A) iii and iv → iv is incompatible → pair rejected
(B) i and iii → both compatible → but the question asks for NOT compatible; hence rejected as a valid existential pair
(C) ii and iv → both incompatible → rejected
Step 4: Conclusion.
The pairs that are NOT compatible with Sartre’s existential philosophy are (A), (B), and (C).
Final Answer: (A), (B), (C)