Abstract

Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism is based on the philosophical a priori that “existence precedes essence”. Existence is related to subjectivity and freedom. If existence “precedes” essence, then there is no human nature. Individual freedom is thus absolutized. The conditioning factors of an existential freedom are then strongly minimized and may eventually be eliminated. Existential freedom is a conditioned freedom that aims at becoming unconditioned. Sartre’s philosophical positioning has three basic limitations. Firstly, the non-existence of human nature can hardly coexist with the universal (existential) condition of human beings. Secondly, the absolutization of individual freedom leaves no room for social, cultural, economic, political, and religious/spiritual conditioning factors. Both philosophical inconsistencies open the way to a third inconsistency: the “self-created” values would be logically impossible, without absolutizing individual freedom and extremely minimizing conditioning factors of a finite freedom. The antecedents of a crisis of values and moral principles (being aware of “not doing the right thing”; expressing a corporate bad faith) should be taken seriously, when looking at potential crises of values and moral principles. The unfolding of a crisis of values and moral principles could involve unethical attitudes and behaviours: firing the whistle-blower, lying before Government representatives, and trying to reduce legal liabilities in the long-term. The optimal solution to a crisis of values and moral principles may require radical changes in corporate activities (discontinuing noxious products) and corporate social responsibility activities related to public health organizations.