Introduction to Existentialism Literature and Philosophy

Philosophy What does it all mean? Why are we here? What should I do with my life? Philosophers investigate the nature of reality and being. They try to come up with reasons for their beliefs and reasoned answers for their questions.

The Problem of Meaning Humans crave meaning and a universe that makes sense. The individual creates stories to make sense of the universe; but feels like a stranger in the world when the universe does not cooperate.

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.

It was during the Second World War, when Europe found itself in a crisis faced with death and destruction, that the existential movement began to flourish, popularized in France in the 1940s. Picasso’s Guernica

Two Types of Existentialists Godly Believe God exists, but people are alienated from Him. Man is alienated from his God-like self, and the problem of his life is trying to close that gap freedom involves accepting the responsibility for choice and committing to the choice Kierkegaard; Marcel and Maritain (Catholic); Tillich and Berdyaev (Protestant) and Buber (Jewish) Ungodly Do not believe God exists. “Because there is no God to give purpose to the universe, each man must accept individual responsibility for his own becoming.” In choosing for himself, he chooses for all men “the image of man as he ought to be.” He has to make good choices that others could follow Sartre and Camus

The underlying concepts of existentialism are simple… Big Ideas of Existentialism The underlying concepts of existentialism are simple…

Existence Precedes Essence Tenet #1 Existence Precedes Essence John Paul Sartre (Essence refers to predefined, ideal characteristics) I think therefore I am Man is a conscious subject, rather than a thing to be predicted or manipulated; he exists as a conscious being, and not in accordance with any definition, essence, generalization, or system. Existentialism says I am nothing else but my own conscious existence. -- T. Z. Lavine

Existence Before Essence People are born like a blank slate and create their essence or being through their unique experiences.

Existence before essence in The White Tiger

The White Tiger Balram Halwai, the story's narrator, protagonist, and anti-hero. (other aliases include Munna, the White Tiger, and Ashok Sharma) - From village peasant to successful entrepreneur Believes in his exceptionalism, a "White Tiger" not tied to conventional morality or social expectations, he rearranges his life and identity. Despite his intelligence, he is forced to leave school and work. He educates himself by eavesdropping on conversations. He progresses through the levels of the underclass, and is eventually hired as a driver. - He develops a severe resentment toward the upper classes.

Tenet #2: Absurdism “Man stands face to face with the irrational. He feels within him his longing for happiness and for reason. The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world.”  ― Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays

“I am my own existence, but this existence is absurd” To exist as a human being is inexplicable, and wholly absurd. Each of us is simply here, thrown into this time and place … but why now? Why here? -- Kierkegaard For no reason, without necessary connection, only contingently, and so my life is an absurd contingent fact. – Pascal (contingent – determined by conditions and circumstances)

Three ways of resolving the dilemma of the Absurd. “Escaping existence” - Camus states that it does not counter the Absurd, but only becomes more absurd. Believing in the existence of a reality beyond the Absurd. Kierkegaard stated that such a belief requires a non-rational but perhaps necessary religious acceptance of meaning. Camus regarded this solution, and others, as "philosophical suicide". Acceptance of the Absurd: a solution in which one accepts the Absurd and continues to live in spite of it.

Absurdism in The White Tiger

#3:Alienation or Estrangement From all other humans From human institutions From the past From the future We only exist right now, right here…

Modern life has an alienating and dehumanizing effect of man Modern life has an alienating and dehumanizing effect of man. We live in an age that is becoming more impersonal everyday. If anything, modern man lives the drudgery of Sisyphus in meaningless jobs with mind-numbing repetitions. Marxism - As a worker I am alienated from myself, from the product of my labor, from the money-worshipping society, from all those social institutions-- family, morality, law, government-- which coerce me into the service of the money-God and keep me from realizing my human creative potentiality. Alienation is also expressed through the division of labor and its many ramifications. http://www.public.asu.edu/~adamgaa/soc483/Existentialisminternet.htm

Alienation and estrangement in The White Tiger A mechanism that traps the Indian underclass in a perpetual state of servitude. It involves both deliberate methods used by the upper class and a mentality enforced by the underclass on itself.

#4 : Nothingness and Death Death hangs over all of us. Our awareness of it can bring freedom or anguish. “Nothingness is our inherent lack of self. We are in constant pursuit of a self. Nothingness is the creative well-spring from which all human possibilities can be realized.” –Jean-Paul Sartre

Nihilism is the state of belief in nothing Existential nihilism argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value.

Nothingness and Death in The White Tiger

#5 Freedom: Choice and Commitment Humans have freedom to choose Each individual makes choices that create his or her own nature 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

Choice and commitment in The White Tiger

#6 Dread and Anxiety 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.

Dread and anxiety in The White Tiger

The Big Names of Existentialism Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger

Works cited ww2.chandler.k12.az.us/.../filedownload.ashx?...Existentialism%20Intro...Cached http://www.gradesaver.com/the-white-tiger/study-guide/character-list https://danielmiessler.com/blog/albert-camus-absurdism/ http://yes.kitoba.com/2010/10/existence-precedes-essence/