Beauvoir And The Oppressor Essay

Nevertheless, Beauvoir asserts that individuals may fail to recognize this oppressive treatment and thus, accept it as usual treatment. As a result, Beauvoir argues that individuals have a duty to assert their freedom, especially if others impede it. Beauvoir states, “…the oppressed can fulfill his freedom as a man only in revolt, since the essential characteristic of the situation against which he is rebelling is precisely its prohibiting him from any development…” It is morally acceptable for oppressed individuals to rebel against their oppressor to assert their freedom and advance in life. According to Beauvoir, “…he [the oppressor] is more apt to present himself as the defender of certain values.” As part of the oppressors character, …show more content…
According to Beauvoir, “…evidently, it is necessary to choose to sacrifice the one who is an enemy of man; but the fact is that one finds himself forced to treat certain men as things in order to win the freedom of all.” If the oppressed does not fight against the oppressor, the oppressor will continue to oppress everyone. Therefore, Beauvoir encourages individuals to protect their freedom by any means necessary, including violence. However, I argue that in doing so, the victim may transform into the oppressor and perpetuate violence, hatred, and oppression. Beauvoir states, “We are obliged to destroy not only the oppressor but also those who serve him, whether they do so out of ignorance or out of constraint.” Individuals, including the oppressor and the ignorant follower that accept the oppressor, are guilty and thus, it is acceptable to revolt against them by any means necessary. Beauvoir states, “Since we can conquer our enemies only by acting upon the facticity, by reducing them to things, we have to make ourselves things…they will be wounded, killed, or starved.” Violence between the oppressor and the oppressed is essential in order to protect the freedom of many people because if individuals do not suppress the oppressor, the oppressor will continue to bully others. However, I argue that the use of violence …show more content…
According to Beauvoir, “No action can be generated for man without its being immediately generated against man.” Beauvoir argues that all actions are created to benefit individuals and simultaneously hinder other individuals. Beauvoir states, “…only the subject can justify his own existence; no external subject, no object, can bring him salvation from outside. He can not be regarded as a nothing, since the consciousness of all things is within him.” Since oppression and conflict will always exist in the world, Beauvoir reiterates the individuals have the ability to escape oppressive situations as long as they acknowledge that they dictate their own existence. Beauvoir argues, “In order for this world to have any importance, in order for out undertaking to have a meaning and to be worthy of sacrifices, we must affirm the concrete and particular thickness of this world and the individual reality of our projects and ourselves.” Although violence is inevitable in the world, Beauvoir concludes that humans have the capability to determine their own lives and thus, individuals should not sacrifice their freedoms in order to prevent violence, instead, they should use violence if it is necessary to protect their freedom. However, if individuals partake in violence, they illustrate that it is acceptable and normal to use this behavior.