Some Notes on Existentialism
Despite encompassing a staggering range of philosophical, religious, and political ideologies, the underlying concepts of existentialism are simple:
-Mankind has free will.
-Life is a series of choices, creating stress.
-Few decisions are without any negative consequences.
-Some things are irrational or absurd, without explanation.
-If one makes a decision, he or she must follow through.
Existentialism, broadly defined, is a set of philosophical systems concerned with free will, choice, and personal responsibility. Because we make choices based on our experiences, beliefs, and baises, those choices are unique to us-and made witout an objective form of truth. There are no "universal" guidelines for most decisions, existentialists believe. Instead, even trusting science is often a "leap of faith."
The existentialists conclude that human choice is subjective, because individuals finally must make their own choices witout help from such external standards as laws, ethical rules, or traditions. Because individuals make their own choices, they are free; but because they freely choose, they are completely responsible for their choices. The existentialists emphasize that freedom is necessarily accompanied by responsibility. Furthermore, since individuals are forced to choose for themselves, they have their freedom-and therefore their responsibiliry-thrust upon them. They are "condemned to be free."
For existentialism, responsibility is the dark side of freedom. When individuals relize that they are completely responsible for their decisions, actions, and beliefs, they are overcome by anxiety. They try to escape from this anxiety by ignoring or denying their freedom and their responsibility. But because this amounts to ignoring or denying their actual situation, they succeed only in deceiving themselves. The existentialists criticize this flight from freedom and responsibility into self deception. They insist that individuals must accept full responsibility for their behavior, no matter how difficult. If an individual is to live meaningfully and authentically, he or she must become fully aware of the true character of the human situation and bravely accept it.
What is NOT Existentialism
Existentialism does NOT support any of the following:
-the good life is one of wealth, pleasure, or honor.
-Social approval and social structure trump the individual.
-Accept what is and that is enough in life.
-Science can and will make everything better.
-People are good by nature, ruined by society or external forces.
There are, according to existentialism and its predecessor, phenomenology, some problems with Western philosophical traditions. The basic problem is that humans are not good, sharing, generous cretures. Children are what we remain our entire lives, greedy, manipulative, brats. Some people disguise it better than others. The people in charge of America would be the people in charge of most countries: the best "ploitical" people. Or, as one 60s radical said, "There were eventually leaders in every commune."
Existentialism requires the active acceptance of our nature. Professor Robert Olson noted that we spend our lives wanting more and more. Once we realize the futility of worldy desire, we try to accept what we have. We turn to philosphpy or religion to accept less. We want to detach from our worldly needs-but we cannot do so. It is the human condition to desire. to want. To seek more, even what "more" is "more of less." It is a desire to prove something to ourselves, as well as others.
The existentialists...mock the notion of a complete and fully satisfying life. The life of every man, weather he explicitly recognizes it or not, is marked by irreparable losses. Man cannot help aspiring toward the goods of this world, nor can he help aspiring toward the serene detachment from the things of this world which the traditional philosopher sought; but it is not within his power to achieve either of these ambitions, or having achieved them to find therein the satisfaction he had anticipated.
Existentialism assumes we are best when we struggle against our nature. Mankind is best challenging itself to improve yet knowing perfection is not possible. Religions present rules, yet the believers know they cannot live by all of those rules. The "sin-free" life is beyond human nature. IS THAT ANY LESS REASON TO TRY TO BE GOOD, GENEROUS, CARING AND COMPASSIONATE? Perfectionism is considered unhealthy by psychiatrists for a reason.
Wow dude i totally love existentialism. This is the greatest concept of all time, and i thought of it myself so long ago! yay for existentialism...
-Mankind has free will.
-Life is a series of choices, creating stress.
-Few decisions are without any negative consequences.
-Some things are irrational or absurd, without explanation.
-If one makes a decision, he or she must follow through.
Existentialism, broadly defined, is a set of philosophical systems concerned with free will, choice, and personal responsibility. Because we make choices based on our experiences, beliefs, and baises, those choices are unique to us-and made witout an objective form of truth. There are no "universal" guidelines for most decisions, existentialists believe. Instead, even trusting science is often a "leap of faith."
The existentialists conclude that human choice is subjective, because individuals finally must make their own choices witout help from such external standards as laws, ethical rules, or traditions. Because individuals make their own choices, they are free; but because they freely choose, they are completely responsible for their choices. The existentialists emphasize that freedom is necessarily accompanied by responsibility. Furthermore, since individuals are forced to choose for themselves, they have their freedom-and therefore their responsibiliry-thrust upon them. They are "condemned to be free."
For existentialism, responsibility is the dark side of freedom. When individuals relize that they are completely responsible for their decisions, actions, and beliefs, they are overcome by anxiety. They try to escape from this anxiety by ignoring or denying their freedom and their responsibility. But because this amounts to ignoring or denying their actual situation, they succeed only in deceiving themselves. The existentialists criticize this flight from freedom and responsibility into self deception. They insist that individuals must accept full responsibility for their behavior, no matter how difficult. If an individual is to live meaningfully and authentically, he or she must become fully aware of the true character of the human situation and bravely accept it.
What is NOT Existentialism
Existentialism does NOT support any of the following:
-the good life is one of wealth, pleasure, or honor.
-Social approval and social structure trump the individual.
-Accept what is and that is enough in life.
-Science can and will make everything better.
-People are good by nature, ruined by society or external forces.
There are, according to existentialism and its predecessor, phenomenology, some problems with Western philosophical traditions. The basic problem is that humans are not good, sharing, generous cretures. Children are what we remain our entire lives, greedy, manipulative, brats. Some people disguise it better than others. The people in charge of America would be the people in charge of most countries: the best "ploitical" people. Or, as one 60s radical said, "There were eventually leaders in every commune."
Existentialism requires the active acceptance of our nature. Professor Robert Olson noted that we spend our lives wanting more and more. Once we realize the futility of worldy desire, we try to accept what we have. We turn to philosphpy or religion to accept less. We want to detach from our worldly needs-but we cannot do so. It is the human condition to desire. to want. To seek more, even what "more" is "more of less." It is a desire to prove something to ourselves, as well as others.
The existentialists...mock the notion of a complete and fully satisfying life. The life of every man, weather he explicitly recognizes it or not, is marked by irreparable losses. Man cannot help aspiring toward the goods of this world, nor can he help aspiring toward the serene detachment from the things of this world which the traditional philosopher sought; but it is not within his power to achieve either of these ambitions, or having achieved them to find therein the satisfaction he had anticipated.
Existentialism assumes we are best when we struggle against our nature. Mankind is best challenging itself to improve yet knowing perfection is not possible. Religions present rules, yet the believers know they cannot live by all of those rules. The "sin-free" life is beyond human nature. IS THAT ANY LESS REASON TO TRY TO BE GOOD, GENEROUS, CARING AND COMPASSIONATE? Perfectionism is considered unhealthy by psychiatrists for a reason.
Wow dude i totally love existentialism. This is the greatest concept of all time, and i thought of it myself so long ago! yay for existentialism...