In the world of poe 2 currency (POE 2), currency is not just a medium for trading items or progressing through the game; it also serves as a reflection of deeper philosophical themes. One such theme that can be explored in relation to the game’s currency system is Sartrean bad faith, a concept introduced by the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. Bad faith refers to the act of self-deception, where individuals lie to themselves to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. When we apply this to POE 2’s economy, the currency system can be seen as a representation of players’ engagement in bad faith, as they hide from the reality of their in-game actions and the greater implications of currency accumulation and expenditure.

The Concept of Sartrean Bad Faith

Sartrean bad faith is a term used to describe a psychological state in which an individual deceives themselves to escape the anxiety that arises from the awareness of their own freedom and responsibility. According to Sartre, bad faith is a form of self-imposed ignorance, where individuals hide from the truth of their existence and the choices they must make. In everyday life, this manifests when people act inauthentically, adopting roles or beliefs that are dictated by societal pressures rather than personal authenticity.

In the context of POE 2, bad faith emerges when players engage in the game’s economy without fully confronting the nature of their actions. Currency in POE 2, especially exalted or chaos orbs, is often treated as an abstract concept rather than a reflection of one’s labor, creativity, or even personal progression. Players may obsessively pursue the accumulation of these currencies, investing significant time and effort, yet they rarely question the existential meaning behind this endless cycle. The focus becomes about amassing wealth in-game without acknowledging the underlying emptiness of this pursuit, mirroring Sartre’s notion of bad faith.

Currency as a Tool for Self-Deception

In POE 2, currency serves as a primary means for acquiring powerful items, upgrading gear, and accessing various in-game opportunities. However, the obsession with currency acquisition is often detached from a player’s deeper sense of purpose or narrative progression. Players may find themselves caught in an endless loop of farming for currency, trading, and optimizing their builds, but without ever questioning why they are doing so. This reflects Sartrean bad faith, as players deceive themselves into believing that the acquisition of wealth, in the form of in-game currency, is the key to their success, when in fact, it is merely a means to an end—a distraction from facing the more profound truths of the game and their role within it.

In this sense, currency is not just a number or an item; it becomes a symbol of self-deception. Players chase after an abstract goal, often without a clear end in sight. Just as Sartre argues that individuals live in bad faith when they are not fully conscious of their choices and their freedom, POE 2 players may be trapped in a cycle where currency becomes the ultimate goal, obscuring the true essence of the game: exploration, self-expression, and mastery of the mechanics.

The Illusion of Control in the POE 2 Economy

Sartrean bad faith also involves the creation of an illusion of control over one’s life, which helps individuals avoid confronting their responsibility for their own actions. In POE 2, the currency system offers players the illusion of control over their in-game fate. Through crafting, trading, and accumulating wealth, players can manipulate the market to suit their needs. However, this illusion of control is ultimately illusory, as the game’s economy is inherently influenced by external factors such as server updates, game patches, and other players’ actions. The moment players realize that the economy is not entirely under their control, they might feel a sense of existential unease, yet many continue to chase after the false promises of wealth and power.

This mirrors Sartre’s argument that individuals are free to act but are constantly bound by circumstances, often choosing to remain in bad faith to avoid acknowledging the weight of that freedom. Similarly, POE 2 players might actively choose to continue pursuing currency and trade, despite understanding on some level that it is not the key to true success or happiness in the game. They maintain their bad faith by avoiding the realization that their endless pursuit of currency is not leading to a more fulfilling experience.

Currency and the Absurdity of Endless Pursuit

In Sartre’s philosophy, one of the central ideas is the absurdity of existence. Life, in its purest form, is devoid of inherent meaning or purpose, and it is up to the individual to create their own meaning. POE 2’s currency system can be viewed as a microcosm of this absurdity. The game’s economy is complex, dynamic, and built on an artificial system of value. Currency in POE 2 is essentially meaningless outside of the game world, yet players invest immense time and effort in accumulating it, treating it as though it holds intrinsic value.

This mirrors the existential absurdity Sartre describes, where individuals often place value on things that are ultimately meaningless. The pursuit of currency in POE 2 becomes a metaphor for how individuals might chase after societal values—wealth, status, power—without truly understanding why they are doing so. Players may immerse themselves in the grind of acquiring more currency, but this endless pursuit often leads to frustration, as the underlying emptiness of this goal eventually becomes apparent.

The cyclical nature of currency accumulation and expenditure in POE 2 reflects the Sartrean idea of being trapped in bad faith, continually seeking something that ultimately does not fulfill a deeper existential need. Players who continue to chase after currency may do so because they are avoiding the discomfort of confronting the true meaning of their actions and the reality of their choices.

Sartrean Freedom and the Escape from Bad Faith

While bad faith in Sartre’s philosophy is a form of self-deception, it is also a call for authenticity and self-awareness. In POE 2, players can escape the cycle of bad faith by becoming more aware of their motivations and recognizing the role currency plays in their in-game experience. By acknowledging that the pursuit of wealth is not an end in itself but rather a tool for experiencing the game’s mechanics and narrative, players can break free from the illusion of control and the absurdity of endless accumulation. This shift in perspective allows for a deeper engagement with the game, one that embraces the freedom to choose a path that aligns with one’s true desires and personal goals.

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