Existentialists of Note

Soren Kierkegaard 19th century, Danish philosopher “Father of Existentialism” Hated the formal Danish Church, but loved theology and the Gospels Either/Or February 1843. Life is a series of choices; whatever you choose, you will regret it. The only response to life is to laugh at it. Fear and Trembling October 1843. Concerned with God and perception of self. The Concept of Anxiety (1844) The most influential to later existentialists. Invented the word “Angest” (Danish) or “Angst” (English and German). “Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.” Towards the end of his life, he advocated for faith.

Friedrich Nietzsche 19th century German philosopher “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” “When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.” Advocated for people to “own up to envy,” reject Christianity (his father was in the clergy), never drink alcohol, the gap left in people from religion should be filled with culture. Wanted people to take responsibility and an active part in their own lives Some of his ideas were misconstrued (i.e. the Übermensch, or Superman idea). Some of the texts he wrote are: Thus Spoke Zarathustra; The Antichrist; Beyond Good and Evil; Human, All Too Human; and Twilight of the Idols.

Martin Heidegger 20th century German philosopher Simple person who hated technology, processed foods, and crowds Loved being by himself, long walks in the country, going to bed early Reformed Nazi He is VERY CONFUSING

Martin Heidegger cont. Being and Time is his magnum opus. It is concerned about existence. “Dasein” or Being. People run away from: the confrontation of being, thinking about why we are here, and what we are doing. They forget they are alive. As a result, people fall into “Das Nichts,” or The Nothing. Asserts people forget that we are all connected and we all exist at the same time. People should use this awareness for being kinder to each other and less concerned with themselves. Asserts people should remember they are free. If we are thrown into certain circumstances in life, people should overcome “Geworfenheit,” or “throwness,” by understanding psychological, professional, cultural, etc. circumstances. Through this understanding, people will rise above and be their authentic selves. “Mitsein” or with being. People settle for a superficial freedom and follow the crowd too much. By listening to society, people lose focus about themselves. To overcome this meaningless chatter, people should think about their deaths.

Jean Paul Sartre 20th century French philosopher, writer, critic, and political activist Being and Nothingness (non-fiction) man is condemned to freedom Nausea (fiction) the world is strange and somewhat meaningless “No Exit” (play) “Hell is other people” Consistent in the message that people do not have to continue with they way their lives are now. Capitalism enslaves people and makes them incapable of fulfilling their true nature.