Existentialism
Definition: Philosophical movement that deals with human freedom Philosophical movement that deals with human freedom Requires individuals to posit their own subjective values Requires individuals to posit their own subjective values
Proposition1: Existence before Essence i.e. an individual exists (physically) before his or her life has value or meaning (substance) i.e. an individual exists (physically) before his or her life has value or meaning (substance) Each of us have a unique identity Each of us have a unique identity We all have unique experiences We all have unique experiences A person is the sum total of his actions in life A person is the sum total of his actions in life You are what you are at any given moment You are what you are at any given moment
Proposition 2: Meaning is created by human beings actions and interpretations i.e. The individual is in control of the universe
Proposition 3: Freedom You are solely responsible for what you become You are solely responsible for what you become Only you can create an image of yourself Only you can create an image of yourself
Proposition 4: Man’s Encounter with Nothingness We realize that external abstractions are worth nothing We realize that external abstractions are worth nothing We only have our own personal freedom We only have our own personal freedom Man is alienated and estranged from others Man is alienated and estranged from others
Existentialism Throughout History Buddhism Buddhism Socrates Socrates The Bible The Bible John Locke: individualist politics John Locke: individualist politics –Individual autonomy –Self-Determination
20 th Century Existentialism: Fear and Trembling Began after WWII: Old order of the world challenged Began after WWII: Old order of the world challenged Atom Bomb: Man can be totally annihilated Atom Bomb: Man can be totally annihilated Paranoia Paranoia Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Heidegger Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Heidegger Popularity from Jean-Paul Sarte and Simone de Beauvoir Popularity from Jean-Paul Sarte and Simone de Beauvoir
Sartean Existentialism Existence Precedes Essence Existence Precedes Essence The individual constructs his or her identity The individual constructs his or her identity Values are subjective Values are subjective The Preceperi: Watching one’s being or insight The Preceperi: Watching one’s being or insight Bad faith: people lie to themselves which negates their being Bad faith: people lie to themselves which negates their being Bad faith: Being for others Bad faith: Being for others Responsibility for choices Responsibility for choices Condemned to be free Condemned to be free
Notable Works: The Stranger by Albert Camus The Stranger by Albert Camus Myth of Sisyphus: Greek myth demonstrates the futility of existence Myth of Sisyphus: Greek myth demonstrates the futility of existence Futility of this existence, but Sisyphus ultimately finds meaning in this task Futility of this existence, but Sisyphus ultimately finds meaning in this task
Other Existential Beliefs: The existentialist starts with experience first The existentialist starts with experience first Only when man fulfills himself he exists Only when man fulfills himself he exists Our state of existence is full of dread and anxiety Our state of existence is full of dread and anxiety Choice is always possible, you must always choose Choice is always possible, you must always choose Each man is isolated with his own freedom Each man is isolated with his own freedom Man is absurd: Generates the Theater of the Absurd Man is absurd: Generates the Theater of the Absurd
The Theater of the Absurd Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett Plots deviated from normal episodic structure, and became circular Plots deviated from normal episodic structure, and became circular Meaningless plots, repetitive or nonsensical dialogue and dramatic non- sequiturs Meaningless plots, repetitive or nonsensical dialogue and dramatic non- sequiturs
The question is: Do I exist?