The concepts from Sartre and Heidegger are profound and central to existential philosophy.

Sartre: "Existence precedes essence" and "Hell is other people"

Existence precedes essence:

This phrase encapsulates Sartre’s existentialist perspective. It means that human beings are not born with a predefined purpose or essence. Instead, we exist first, and through our choices, actions, and experiences, we define who we are.

Sartre rejects the idea of a divine plan or a fixed human nature. For him, freedom is both liberating and daunting because it places the responsibility of defining one’s life entirely on the individual.

Hell is other people (L’enfer, c’est les autres):

This line from Sartre’s play No Exit reflects the tension of living in a world with others. Sartre suggests that interpersonal relationships often lead to conflict, as we see ourselves reflected in the judgments and gazes of others.

This doesn’t mean that people are inherently malicious, but that our sense of self can feel trapped or distorted by how others perceive us, creating a kind of existential "hell."

Heidegger: Fear of freedom

Heidegger’s existential ideas are tied to his concept of Being (Dasein) and its confrontation with freedom and responsibility.

While Sartre directly talks about freedom, Heidegger discusses the existential anxiety (Angst) that arises when we confront the vast possibilities of our freedom.

This fear stems from recognizing that our lives are not preordained and that we are responsible for choosing and giving meaning to our existence.

Heidegger explores this in terms of authenticity versus inauthenticity. Many people flee from their freedom into the comfort of societal norms or distractions, a state Heidegger calls fallenness.

Connections and Contrasts

Both thinkers grapple with the human condition of radical freedom and responsibility.

Sartre emphasizes the active creation of self through choice, while Heidegger delves deeper into the ontological structures of being and the existential weight of freedom.

Sartre’s "Hell is other people" contrasts with Heidegger’s more neutral or even positive view of Mitsein (Being-with-others), as Heidegger sees relationships as integral to our understanding of the world.