Existentialism: ? Not a school of thought. The emphasis is on the individual subject. Hegel: emphasized rationality. Subjectivity: subjective idea of truths. Opposed to objectivity Humans exist first, they are "thrown into the world and each human being must create meaning for themselves." Existence precedes essence. You exist and are thrown into the world, you didn't choose, you aren't responsible, but once you are here, you are responsible for what you do. There is no divine or plan made for us, we must make our own and be responsible. Dreadful freedom: he or she is free to live in the life they choose, but there is no manual. One can make choices and one can be consequenced by their choices. Human mortality: we are born and we will die. Existential Categories: 1) Subjective: to be a subject means one has to realize their freedom within their individuality. 2) Choice: In a persons authentic existence he or she is confronted with a field of possible choices, and you must choose one path over another. 3) Passion: Choice involves ones entire being. 4) Uncertainty: No guarantee the choice we have made is the right choice. There is always an element of uncertainty in every choice we make because there is no certainty that it is the right choice. 5) Discontinuity: In a persons life, a state of finality is never made. It is never had. "I made all of my choices, and I have reached satisfaction." Sike, there are more choices. We're in a state of becoming. 6) Risk: We risk the chance our choice is not the best one. 7) Solitude: The human being is alone. The individual is alone. Ultimately one cannot rely on religion, institution, or society when they choose to act. Moreover, that person must assume responsibility for the actions they take. "Don't ask me what I am, ask me WHO I am." (What: Citizen of US, ID, social security, etc. a lot of whats) "What am I going to do with my life? My calling? My vocation?" In the realm of human existence, there is no foundation. In the realm of essence, it is stable. I am different and alone from everyone else. Being an individual, I must choose. Nietzsche always said: "The last Christian had died on the cross." >>Authentic vs. Inauthentic<< Inauthentic: recognizes humans as an object and not as a subject. Impersonal one. "Mickey mouse has three fingers. He has no soul." LOL, wtf? Random story time: "I'm a concept manager." - Philosophy "What is that?" "People come to me because their conceptual frame is messed up and they need me to straighten them out. I also do concept design." "Like interior design?" "No... I help people think..about concepts." "I've never heard of that!?" "There's not many people that do what I do." Authentic: Must be an individual in the crowd. What do you do? Use the existential categories. You command the actions you undertake. It shapes your activities. Subjective truth: truth must involve all of the existential categories. Nietzsche: "truth is an error we cannot live without." ? Faith is above reason. The definition of faith is almost identical to the definition of truth. Emphasis is on the subject, not the object that is known. Subjective Truth -> How?..not what. A Christian relationship is personal and subjective. Stay Frosty, -CJS
Truth is an error we can not live without means the illusion of objective is necessary for civilization and the human quest for meaning. While nihilism is Truth because boundaries of perception limit ascertainable reality, we must view the boundaries as the domain of objective realization.
Read Ibsen's play "The Wild Duck" for a fun interpretation of Existentialism. In summary: a young Existentialist decides everyone he knows must see the truth and destroys the lives of six people in that persuit. Fun fact: Existentialism also gave rise to modern absurdist humor. Despite our best efforts the human brain forms connections as we search for ideas. Therefore, attempts at anti-society ideas will always fail. If I were grading Existentialism as a philosophy, then I'd write "Very interesting. More of a society idea. B-"