To Be Human

[kalleah]

For purposes of fiction, I've invented Thomas Vaughn Voight, the supposed existentialist expert, but Anita Brookner and the quotation cited from her that are real.  I've studied a lot of existentialist literature in my time and recently reread Sartre's Existentialism is a Humanism.  It seems to me that most of the common perception of

Comments

[un_sedentary]

Oh, this is interesting! I like that. I've thought about that too, before - existentialism really is very Doctor Who. And Sartre is one of the more interesting philosophers, I think, too. I don't agree with all of his beliefs, but some of them are great. Also, though you didn't mention it, his ideas on "bad faith" are great. I quote that to people all the time. ;)

I haven't read any of his non-fiction but I did read a novel by him called Les Jeux Sont Faites (no idea what it's called in English) - a satire on the afterlife. Very good book even if you ignore the philosophical subtext. :)

*is a dork*

[kalleah]

You definitely don't have to agree with someone to be challenged and learn from their perspective. If we all listened to people who thought exactly like us, the world would be a very boring and static place.

I'm with you that I don't agree with Sartre in many things but he has a point of view that is unique. My favorite quote of his, and I tried so many ways to fit it in here but couldn't find a way that worked, is " ... there is no love apart from the deeds of love; no potentiality of love other than that which is manifested in loving .." which is true and also very Doctor-Rose. It doesn't matter what you say, it matters what you do.

I did read Les Jeux Sont Faites (translates to "The Game Is Up" many years ago. My favorite from him is nonfiction, L'Existentialisme est un humanisme (Existentialism is a Humanism) which if you google around is available in the full text online.

Anyway, right there with you with the "dork" part :)

[marcella_riddle]

That was really good. Profound and intriguing without being sledgehammer. And the characters read really accurately. I really enjoyed this, very interesting.

[kalleah]

Oh thank you, I didn't want it to be thick for those who weren't as interesting in the philosophy point of view. I appreciate that.

[kalleah]

InterestED. Sorry.

[sensiblecat]

I love this for several reasons. First, it made me think. Second, it's a beautiful little character study of the two of them in a quiet moment. And third, because not many people are bright (or confident) enough to write about the Doctor operating at his true intellectual level.

So much of the relationship is about education, education without boundaries or prejudices (both of which absolutely bedevil education in Britain and probably elsewhere). Because she loves and trusts him, he can pull her right outside her comfort zone and get her to look at things with a new perspective. He's right, you don't need A Levels. You just need to believe it's worth the effort, and you're capable of doing it. Most kids with Rose's background would be taught the exact opposite, and have it reinforced over and over.

Now please can we have her meeting Sartre?

[kalleah]

Yes, the Doctor wouldn't really give a fig about her educational level and would be much more interested in whether she can think and learn and apply her brain power. For Rose, though, it's going to be a factor until she can retrain herself not to think that way.

Don't know if I'll ever write a piece with Sartre -- as you noted, this took a fair bit of confidence and I don't think I am confident enough to write for him!

[lilacfree]

I love fic that deals with big ideas. Thanks for a thought provoking piece.

[kalleah]

(curtseys) Glad to have provoked thoughts.

[harriet2501]

I completely enjoyed this!
I love the 'learning leads to learning' notion that is inherent in the Doctor's philosophy and I love that he and Rose enjoy a sort of master/pupil relationship that is built totally on their mutual respect, *and* has the probability of role-reversal at times. That quote from Satre about deeds being indicative of love, not the word love itself, nor even the emotion, is soooo true of 10/Rose. Gives 'Doomsday' and its closing scenes a meaning that may not satisfy the 'shippers, but which does comfort the likes of me!

More please!

[kalleah]

Glad you liked it ... I think it's natural that Rose's horizons & perspective would expand as she travels with the Doctor.

Shipping right there with you!