Existentialism

What is philosophy? What does it all mean? Why are we here? What should I do with my life? Philosophers analyze, they pick apart, and then they try to come up with reasons for their beliefs and reasoned answers for their questions.

A History Renaissance –human achievement in science, technology, and the arts thrives; confidence in the ability of man Enlightenment – extension of Renaissance achievements; the universe is neatly structured; man is the center of all things Industrialism – entrance of the machine into everyday life; mobility and restructuring in social classes; development of critical ways of thinking (the beginnings of existentialism in Europe)

World War I and Modernism – political, national, and social upheaval; loss of faith in the ability of human beings; more focus on the individual; existentialism starts to take root in Europe World War II and Post-Modernism – continuation of the chaos of modernism; radical ways of thinking; rebellion against long-held beliefs; existentialism flourishes in Europe and moves to America http://mangelaccio.tripod.com/english3/id170.html

EXISTENTIALISM A complex philosophy emphasizing the existence of the human being, the lack of meaning and purpose in life, and the solitude of human existence… ANDREW WYETH Christina’s World (1948)

Existentialism is… “…a doctrine which makes human life possible and, in addition, declares that every truth and every action implies a human setting and a human subjectivity” (10). A way of making “every man aware of what he is and to make the full responsibility of his existence rest on him” (16). from Existentialism and Human Emotions

More simply put? …an introspective (reflective or conscious-raising) way of thinking and being that eliminates all pre-conceived notions of life and focuses upon one’s freedom in a world devoid of inherent meaning. …a way of thinking and being that emphasizes the existence of the individual over his or her essence.

Major Themes of Existentialism Existence Before Essence “Existence precedes essence” implies that the human being has no essence (no essential self). Who am I? Man is a universe within himself. Human experience has to do with how one lives, not just that he lives.

Major Themes of Existentialism Reason is Inadequate in Dealing with the Depths of Human Life Our reasoning is imperfect and we feel and do terrible things that cannot be explained with reason. Man is made of everything – good and bad. We are full of contradictions.

Alienation or Estrangement Man lives separated from God, Nature, other men, and his own true self. Man can only count on himself, but even then his own nature is flawed and he doesn’t necessarily know who he is.

“Fear and Trembling” & Anxiety We constantly have to make decisions that result in anguish because our morality is tested. Anxiety stems from our understanding and recognition of the total freedom of choice that confronts us every moment, and the individual’s confrontation with nothingness.

The Encounter with Nothingness Since man is alienated, what else is there but Nothingness? Why bother searching for meaning?* Death is the only certainty. Only our choices matter.

Freedom Each man is responsible for himself and is free. Man is the sum of the acts of his life. Because we choose, we must accept risk and responsibility for wherever our commitments take us. “A human being is absolutely free and absolutely responsible. Anguish is the result.” Jean-Paul Sartre

L’Étranger (The Stranger or The Outsider) Written by Albert Camus in 1942

Albert Camus: The Smiling Sisyphus

Albert Camus 1913-1960 French novelist, journalist, and playwright Born in Algiers (North Africa) Part of the French Resistance Wrote The Stranger and The Plague *Absurdity of man’s life Meaninglessness of death Fight against evil, suffering, and death

Born Nov. 7, 1913 in Mondovi, French Algeria Father dies in 1914 during World War I, only story Albert knows is that his father became violently ill at a public execution. Mother was illiterate, partially deaf, and afflicted with a speech disorder – very poor. Attended elementary in a school close to a Muslim community and saw first-hand the idea of the “outsider” he would later develop.

Won Nobel Prize for Literature Wasn’t crazy about it, but didn’t pass it up Highest honor in the world in writing Killed in car accident Height of his literary career

Camus believed that we should realize that life is meaningless and nevertheless keep living. If we are able to do this, we may be considered “absurd heroes.” Absurd heroes see life as a constant struggle, without hope. If happiness is real, we must find it without hope, faith, or anything besides immediate experience.

The Scream – Edvard Munch Which idea of existentialism might this famous painting represent?

“I was walking along a path with two friends—the sun was setting—suddenly the sky turned blood red—I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence—there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city—my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety—and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.” -Munch’s inspiration for the painting as expressed in his diary headed Nice 22.01.1892

Monk by the Sea – Caspar David Friedrich How can you relate this painting to existentialist ideas?