Gaze and freedom: the “looking” and power dynamics in Sartre’s existentialism

Abstract

This paper deeply explores the philosophical meaning of “gaze” in Sartre’s existentialism and its complex relation to freedom. By making a detailed analysis of the core view of Sartre’s philosophy —— existence precedes essence. Combined with the manifestation of “gaze” in modern society, this study aims to reveal how individual self-consciousness forms under the other gaze and how this process reveals power dynamics among individuals. The research of literature analysis and philosophical reasoning to a comprehensive analysis of Sartre’s original works and related philosophical and sociological literature.Through an in-depth analysis of Sartre’s concept of the “gaze of the other,” this paper reveals that the gaze is a way of confirming existence and exercising power. In the interaction of the individual with the other, gaze creates an unequal power relationship that affects the individual’s freedom. Meanwhile, this study also explored how gaze shapes individual self-awareness and social behavior in different social environments, such as social media, moni­toring society, advertising, and consumer culture.Finally, the summary highlights the importance of the complex relationship between gaze and freedom, practical implications for journalism, and possible directions for future research.