The gaze of the Other is an existential threat from "summary" of Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre
When one is observed by another, they are no longer in control of how they are perceived. The gaze of the Other pierces through the individual's sense of self, exposing them to the possibility of being judged and categorized. This gaze has the power to strip away the layers of one's identity, revealing vulnerabilities and insecurities that were hidden beneath the surface. The existential threat posed by the gaze of the Other lies in the fact that it challenges the individual's sense of autonomy and freedom. As Sartre explains, the look of the Other reduces the individual to an object, turning them into a mere reflection of the Other's perceptions and expectations. In this moment of being objectified, the individual experiences a loss of agency and becomes trapped in the gaze of the Other. The gaze of the Oth...
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