In his 1946 essay Existentialism, Jean-Paul Sartre takes on the task of defending existentialism against what he calls “charges” (341) leveled against it. Sartre begins to outline the “charges” made against existentialism and, moreover, against the existentialists. Following medieval question form, Sartre begins with a statement of the objection, a brief discussion, and then his response to each. The first of the accusations is that of quietism. “First, it has been accused of inviting people to remain in a kind of desperate quietism because, since no solutions are possible, we should regard action in this world as entirely impossible” (341). Historically, quietism was a Christian philosophy that advocated withdrawal from worldly pursuits for passive, constant contemplation of God. The Roman Catholic Church has officially decreed that quietism is a heresy. Christians then raise the objection that existentialism focuses on the hopelessness of the human situation and, consequently, philosophy leaves little ambition for action. The next of these objections is to “…dwell on human degradation, highlighting everywhere the sordid, shadowy and slimy, and neglecting the gentle and beautiful side, the positive side of human nature…” (341) As Sartre explains, the objection it is essentially that existentialism focuses on the “evil” or sad side of life. The third accusation leveled against existentialism is that of isolation. “(FINAL QUOTE)…having ignored human solidarity, considering man as an isolated being.” (341) The objection is that existentialism ignores human solidarity and examines humans as individuals. The fourth and final accusation made against existentialism is that of arbitrariness. “…we are charged with…… mid-paper……judging others, because there is no reason to prefer one configuration to another'” (360). “…you can still judge because, as I said, you make a choice in relation to others. First, one can judge (and this is perhaps not a value judgment, but a logical judgment) that some choices are based on error and others on truth” (362). The last “sub-charge” is that “everything is arbitrary in this choice of yours. Take something from one pocket and pretend to put it in the other." (360) Sartre explains: "...if I have discarded God the Father, there must be someone who invents values," (365) and who "...says that we invent values ​​means nothing more than this: life has no meaning a priori. Before you become alive, life is nothing; it is up to you to give it meaning and value is nothing other than the meaning you choose” (365).