I’ve been dabbling in existential philosophy. I don’t really get it. Moving right along…
My limited understanding of bad faith is essentially that it is an attempt to deny the fact that we are condemned to be free. For example, I am a student in university and tommorow I “have” to take an exam. So long as I complain and act as though this is not my choice, I am acting in bad faith.
So how does this apply to relationships? I recently went through a tough spot because the girl I liked didn’t share my feelings of attraction. Am I acting in bad faith by complaining about this and letting it get me down? Did I choose for her not to reciprocate my feelings?
If we are condemned to be free, then perhaps expecting anything of another person is, in and of itself, an act of bad faith. Perhaps we are not only condemned to be free, but we are condemned to allow others to be free as well. Any thoughts?