A Twentieth Century Philosophy Existentialism A Twentieth Century Philosophy

The Existential Predicament Existentialism as a philosophical movement was something of a direct response to social ills. Existential philosophers made observations about the world and used it to develop a new type of philosophy. They coined the term “existential predicament” to describe life as they saw it. Existentialism as a philosophical movement was something of a direct response to social ills. Some of the observations that led to the development of existentialism are: (1) Traditional and academic philosophy is sterile and remote from real life. (2) Philosophy must focus on the individual in his or her confrontation with the world. (3) The world is irrational, beyond total comprehension or accurate philosophical conceptualization. (4) The world is absurd: there is no explanation why it is the way it is. (5) Senselessness, triviality, separation, and so on, pervade human existence, causing anxiety, dread, self-doubt, and despair. (6) One faces the necessity of choosing how to live within this absurd and irrational world. This is the existential predicament.

The Existential Predicament Some of the observations that led to the development of existentialism are: Traditional philosophy is sterile and remote from real life. Philosophy must focus on the individual in his or her confrontation with the world. The world is irrational, beyond comprehension. The world is absurd: there is no explanation why it is the way it is. Alienation pervades human existence, causing anxiety, dread, self-doubt, and despair. One faces the necessity of choosing how to live within this absurd and irrational world. Existentialism as a philosophical movement was something of a direct response to social ills. Some of the observations that led to the development of existentialism are: (1) Traditional and academic philosophy is sterile and remote from real life. (2) Philosophy must focus on the individual in his or her confrontation with the world. (3) The world is irrational, beyond total comprehension or accurate philosophical conceptualization. (4) The world is absurd: there is no explanation why it is the way it is. (5) Senselessness, triviality, separation, and so on, pervade human existence, causing anxiety, dread, self-doubt, and despair. (6) One faces the necessity of choosing how to live within this absurd and irrational world. This is the existential predicament.

First Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Existential philosophy always focuses on the individual self. Focus is never on society as a whole, or any other group. Focus is never on an idea, like metaphysics or epistemology. It is the individual that is the only concern for existential philosophy.

Second Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Existential philosophy sees the central task of human life as self-definition. Humans are the only creatures who are not defined by natural instinct, whose essence does not precede their existence. “Existence precedes essence.” –Jean Paul Sartre “Whether he be original or a plagiarist, man is the novelist of himself” –Jose Ortega Y Gassett You Are What You Do. Persons create themselves through their choices. The choices that count are those that issue forth in actions.

Third Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Existential philosophy focuses on the free will of humanity. Humans are “Condemned to be free”—Jean Paul Sartre Choices made define the individual. Each individual must accept the responsibility for his or her choices. Previous choices are the only limitation on free will.

Fourth Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Existential philosophy states that the vast majority of humans live in a state of inauthenticity. Most people are unaware of the central task of life—self-definition—and make no attempt to define their own essence. This can be partly attributed to the awful responsibility of the choices that define one’s identity.

Fifth Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Another common belief in existentialism is that humanity’s existence is characterized by consistent alienation. People are often alienated from other people. Sometimes people are even alienated from the environment around them. Finally, people are usually alienated from themselves, mostly caused by the self-defining process.

Sixth Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Alienation, especially from self, and an awareness, conscious or unconscious, of inauthenticity lead to uncomfortable feelings that characterize life as a human according to existentialism. All existential philosophers recognize this feeling, but they have different names for it. Angst, anxiety, dread, despair, anguish

Seventh Basic Characteristic of Existentialism Within existential philosophy, there is a great deal of diversity on some aspects—especially religion. Many famous existentialists are atheistic or agnostic—Jean Paul Sartre & Albert Camus The father of existentialism—Soren Kierkegaard—was a devout Protestant Some well-known existentialists are Catholic—Gabriel Marcel & Walker Percy There have also been representatives from Judaism, Franz Kafka and Martin Buber, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, Nicolas Berdyaev.

Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Father of Existentialism Philosophy must speak to anguished existence in an irrational world. Kierkegaard viewed with disdain philosophy’s concern with ideal truths and abstract metaphysics. The earth is a place of suffering, fear, and dread. The central philosophical problem is sickness-unto-death; Only subjective commitment to God can grant relief. Philosophy must speak to anguished existence in an irrational world, and Kierkegaard viewed with disdain philosophy’s concern with ideal truths and abstract metaphysics. The earth is a place of suffering, fear, and dread. The central philosophical problem is sickness-unto-death; only subjective commitment to God can grant relief.

Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) For Kierkegaard, God is beyond the grasp of reason. Truth is subjective; it lies not in what we believe but in how we live. We must commit ourselves to God not through a search for objective truth but through a leap of faith. The objective uncertainty of God is essential to a true faith in Him. For Kierkegaard, God is beyond the grasp of reason. Kierkegaard: Truth is subjective; it lies not in what we believe but in how we live. We must commit ourselves to God not through a search for objective truth (as if it would give meaning to life) but through a leap of faith, through a nonintellectual, passionate commitment to Christianity The objective uncertainty of God is essential to a true faith in Him.