Existentialism is a branch of thinking that first began in the nineteenth century, and influences our way of thinking today in the twenty-first century.
Existentialism was initially a counter-movement of the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, against the romantic philosophy of the nineteenth century. Kierkegaard laid the foundation for existentialism, although he never mentioned the actual word in his works. Later on, Friedrich Nietzsche had some elements of existentialism in his works, although contrary to Kierkegaard, he was a complete atheist. In the twentieth century existentialism really gained importance as a movement among novelists, psychologists, and philosophers, among them French writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, his wife Simone de Beauvoir and Albert Camus.
Existentialism itself is very hard to define. It is usually described as just a way of thinking about the meaning of life. However, many different paths can lead from existentialism, such as nihilistic and positive ones.
Nihilism looks at the world in a pessimistic, negative way. It says that life has no meaning, therefore nothing really matters, and there is no point in life.
The more optimistic, positive view is that life has meaning, and that we are “condemned to be free”, and it is up to us to find a purpose in life and be happy.
http://www.bris.ac.uk/philosophy/department/staff/JW/existentialism.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism
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This famous scultpure by Auguste Rodin is often used to represent philosophy, or more specifically, existentialism. It stands in the Musee de Rodin, Paris.
Existentialism is a branch of thinking that first began in the nineteenth century, and influences our way of thinking today in the twenty-first century. In the twentieth century existentialism really gained importance as a movement among novelists, psychologists, and philosophers, among them French writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, his wife Simone de Beauvoir and Albert Camus.
Vignette - Soren Kierkegaard
Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
Often regarded as the father of existentialism, although he never used the term himself, Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, a devout Christian, and critic of the Hegelian philosophy of the time. He regarded human beings as individuals which all have a purpose in life. He thought it was necessary to consider one's own existence as part of a philosophical reflection. He claimed that objective facts that are rational and always true therefore do not affect the life of the individual. He believed that “truth” is something that is subjective and individual. A general description of the human is therefore impossible and not relevant because all that really matters is the “existence” of a person, and what affects this human personally. To Kierkegaard, religion was also a very personal matter, and since it cannot be approached in an academic manner, we must believe, or not believe, but ultimately, it is a personal matter. Contradicting the traditional philosophical approach to the search for truth that has, since Descartes, consisted of rationality, Kierkegaard says that rationality is meaningless because since we know for sure that these things are true, they do not affect us because they are true for everyone.
Vignette - Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger(1889 – 1976)
This twentieth century German philosopher asked himself the basic question as to why we exist. The fact that anything existed, as opposed to not existing, was what concerned him most. His philosophy was largely about simple ‘Being’. He rejected the term ‘existentialist’ because he was more interested in why things are, rather than why humans specifically exist, instead of just ‘being’ like objects, plants and animals. His philosophy was only concerned with the existence of humankind, in order to understand the ‘being’ of things. His most important work, “Being and Time” was published in 1927.
Vignette - Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 – 1980)
This French philosopher was a key figure in twentieth century existentialism. He was the person that first coined the term ‘existentialism’, although he named many people existentialists who never claimed to be that. He claimed that human beings were ‘condemned to be free’, that while we are all by nature free, that means that we have to take responsibility for our lives. He also criticized humans for their hypocrisy – everyone wanted to be free yet so many people did not want to take responsibility for their actions. He collaborated with a feminist existentialist, Simone de Beauvoir for very long, and was also friends with Albert Camus until they fell out. He is a symbol of existentialism in the twentieth century. Some of his most important works included his lecture, "Existentialism is a Humanism" which was later published as a book.
Good Books to Read on Existentialism(or if you're bored, to read anyway)
1. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder.
My favourite book in the world, written from a childish view but very informative. It follows a girl who takes a philosphy course from an unknown man and discovers that her existence is unreal, but manages to find a way out to the "real'' world.
2. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
A book Mr. Slough lent me (but I'm keeping it muhahaha) about an Austrian psychologist's experience in the Nazi Concentration Camps, his analysis of the people in it, his incredible optimism and will to go on, and his revolutionary theory, logotherapy.
3. Reality, Man and Existence
Sorry, I can't say anything about this book as I haven't read it. Mr. Slough gave it to me as well and I decided that it is quite sexist(the title...where do the women come in?)
My favourite book in the world, written from a childish view but very informative. It follows a girl who takes a philosphy course from an unknown man and discovers that her existence is unreal, but manages to find a way out to the "real'' world.
2. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
A book Mr. Slough lent me (but I'm keeping it muhahaha) about an Austrian psychologist's experience in the Nazi Concentration Camps, his analysis of the people in it, his incredible optimism and will to go on, and his revolutionary theory, logotherapy.
3. Reality, Man and Existence
Sorry, I can't say anything about this book as I haven't read it. Mr. Slough gave it to me as well and I decided that it is quite sexist(the title...where do the women come in?)
Followers
About Me
- \m/
- Hello, I never said I was an existentialist.
http://www.bris.ac.uk/philosophy/department/staff/JW/existentialism.pdf
The Thinker
This famous scultpure by Auguste Rodin is often used to represent philosophy, or more specifically, existentialism. It stands in the Musee de Rodin, Paris.
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