Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Ethics in Sartre's Existentialist Drama: A Study of The Flies and Men Without Shadows

Jiale LiuForeign Studies College, Hunan Normal University, Lushan Road, Changsha, China*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In today’s diverse and rapidly changing society, traditional values and ethical perspectives are under challenge. The pressure of social competition has led many to experience a sense of emptiness and a loss of meaning in life. Sartre’s existentialist philosophy, particularly the ethical views presented in his drama, provides a new perspective for exploring human freedom, responsibility, and the meaning of life. Based on an overview of the philosophical foundation of Sartre’s existentialist ethics, this paper analyzes his two plays The Flies and Men Without Shadows in-depth. It explores the dimensions of freedom, responsibility, death, and the relationship between individual and others, revealing how Sartre portrays his core existentialist ethical ideas through the choices and conflicts of the characters. At the same time, the paper discusses the social and historical significance of Sartre’s existentialist drama and its implications for modern ethics. It points out that Sartre’s ethical views challenge traditional ethics and offer new insights into modern ethical dilemmas, particularly in the relationship between individual freedom and social responsibility, providing guidance for moral judgment and choice in contemporary society.

Keywords: Sartre; existentialism; ethics; drama
Published: April 7, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.21773
Volume: CHR Vol.53
pp. 121-131
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