Fashion is a phenomenon that has always attracted the attention of human beings. It is both a means of personal expression and a reflection of the society in which we live. However, fashion can also be seen as a form of constraint, a way of conforming to societal expectations and giving up our individual freedom. This is where Jean-Paul Sartre comes in, one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century, for whom freedom was a central theme. In this article, we will explore Sartre's relationship between fashion and freedom and how his thinking can help us better understand this complex relationship.
Freedom according to Jean-Paul Sartre
For Sartre, freedom is the very essence of being human. It considers that we are free beings, endowed with the capacity to make our own choices and determine our own destiny. However, our freedom is often hindered by social projections and societal expectations. According to Sartre, we are subject to a "bad faith" which pushes us to accept these projections and to renounce our individual freedom.
Fashion and freedom
Fashion can be considered a form of “bad faith” according to Sartre. It pushes us to accept the aesthetic standards imposed by society and to give up our freedom to choose what we wear. Fashion can also be seen as a means of social conformity, where we conform to society's expectations to be accepted and approved.
However, it is also possible to see fashion as a means of self-expression and reaffirming our freedom. We can use fashion to make a personal statement and differentiate ourselves from the aesthetic standards imposed by society. By choosing to wear what we want, we affirm our freedom and our ability to make our own choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relationship between fashion and freedom according to Jean-Paul Sartre is complex and ambivalent. Fashion can be seen as a form of “bad faith” that hinders our freedom, or as a means of personal expression that reaffirms it. Ultimately, it's up to us to determine how we want to use fashion in our lives and how we want to define ourselves as free beings.
As Sartre wrote in his work “Being and Nothingness”, “man is what he makes himself”. This means that we are responsible for our own choices and how we want to live our lives. Fashion can be a way to give up our freedom or reaffirm it, it's entirely up to us.
Freedom is a central theme in the thought of Jean-Paul Sartre and it provides us with a framework for understanding the complex relationship between fashion and freedom. By remembering that we are free beings, blessed with the ability to make our own choices, we can use fashion to enhance our freedom rather than giving it up.
