The paper cutter is a method of production, which is the essence because the concept precedes the existence of the paper cutter. How this relates to humans is that we exist first and later we develop essence. After man has definition, and does not depend on God or anything else, man is the only one that is responsible for his own actions. If there is a God, then God is conscious of what his creation is, that being man. Therefore, existence is preceding essence. Before God created man, he had to have an idea or concept of what his creation was going to be. This is just like the method of production of the paper cutter. When the concept is realized, just like the paper cutter was produced, God produced man. If there is not a God, then the argument is made that man is the only being in which existence precedes essence because man had to exist before being defined. .
Sartre believes that there is no human nature. He believes that if there is no human nature, then there is nothing that can limit our actions. When we choose between things, we are giving choices values. These values are useful to us because they maintain our lives. He says that that human nature does not exist but there is a human condition. We need to exist in this world and we choose to do certain actions that have value, which defines all of humanity. He says that we have choices and those choices continue to define us. When we ponder on a decision, he says that we really have already made up our mind of what action we are going to take. He further states that we are constantly aware of our own mortality and we make conscious choices that are influenced by that mortality. Sartre contends that if we choose not to choose, that is a choice. We will always choose the path that defines us and we are responsible for all of our actions. Sartre's existential belief about existence preceding essence begins with the latter.
