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The Philosophy Behind The Stranger

The Philosophy Behind The Stranger. Existentialism Absurdism Nihilism. Existentialism. -The fact that we are here…is THE most important fact. In some ways the only fact -We counter “nothingness” by embracing our own existence. -We have absolute power to define our own reality.

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The Philosophy Behind The Stranger

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  1. The Philosophy BehindThe Stranger Existentialism Absurdism Nihilism

  2. Existentialism -The fact that we are here…is THE most important fact. In some ways the only fact -We counter “nothingness” by embracing our own existence. -We have absolute power to define our own reality.

  3. Existentialism 2 -We are “thrown into the universe” with no manager and no plan. -ONLY believing in existence is the essence of existentialism. -”Meaning” is self generated and is not always rational. e.g. faith, hope, love, etc….

  4. Existentialism 3 • Therefore we have “radical freedom” in a fundamentally random and chaotic universe. • It is our FEAR of this freedom that drives us to live “rationally” and place limits on ourselves. We have anxiety and dread and our limitations are attempts to diminish the dread. • Our self defined “meaning” can be unstable and temporary….because we are free.

  5. Existentialism 4 • There is theistic and atheistic existentialism • You are free to choose. • Just don’t claim to know or be “right.” • Faith is irrational, but that does not mean it’s “crazy.” • These SUBJECTIVE VALUES are not random. • One’s own “system” can follow “rules”. • For ex. The Ten Commandments • You can have very rational reasons for thinking murder is “bad”….but that does not mean IT IS bad.

  6. Existentialism 5 • THE GAZE • Those who do not embrace their freedom become subject to “the gaze of others”. • We become enslaved by the judgment of others. • We forget that THEIR STANDARD does not need to be our standard. • People run from their own freedom because it makes one TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for one’s choices and actions. It is ALWAYS YOUR CHOICE. • I become what you think I am. Angst.

  7. Existentialism 6 • Therefore……. • We are here. That is all we really know. • There is no external meaning to find or follow. • We are totally free. • Freedom can or cannot be rational. • The Gaze of others enslaves us. • We accept slavery because true freedom is terrifying.

  8. The Absurd • “The absurd is born between the human need for meaning and the utter silence of the universe.” • The absurd occurs when our own “meaning” or need for “meaning” collides with “the other’s” lack of meaning, or different meaning. • It is absurd to claim meaning when there is none.

  9. The Absurd 2 • Our existence is essentially MEANINGLESS but we save our selves through work and dedication to a cause. • Work is salvation because it is real. We physically experience work and therefore we have some certainty about our experience.

  10. The Absurd 3 • WE make our own meaning. Period. • “Facts” and “details” are pointless to discuss because none of it matters. • We MAKE MEANING. EVERYONE makes their own meaning. It is ABSURD to approach the universe with the belief in a common meaning. • By claiming “meaning” we lie to ourselves, and thereby negate our own selves or our own potential.

  11. The Absurd 4 • “Refusal to hope is victory.” • “My heart I feel. This world I touch. That is all I know.” • DIGNITY is achieved through an awareness of death, meaninglessness, and a refusal to “hope” (there is no way out).

  12. Absurdism 5 • Our own unique experience and uniqueness provides us dignity and freedom. • “All but death is freedom.” • BUT! “Everything is allowed” does not mean that nothing is prohibited. There are laws (often irrational…but they have a bite.) There can obviously be social consequences for some choices.

  13. Absurdism 6 • Thus • You define your own meaning. • Each person defines it uniquely • When we clash with alternative meanings it becomes absurd to try to make sense or understand. • You can be held responsible but NOT found guilty. • Life is the meaning of life. • There is no way out.

  14. Nihlism • ALL values are baseless • NOTHING can be known. • NOTHING can be communicated. • Complete epistemological failure. • Complete value destruction. • Universal Purposelessness.

  15. Nihilism 2 • POLITICAL NIHILSIM: all false constructs SHOULD be destroyed. They are obstacles. • ETHICAL NIHILISM: No ethics or moral codes. • EXISTENTIAL NIHILISM: Life has no intrinsic meaning…it just is.

  16. Nihilism 3 • Therefore…since it’s ALL meaningless. • There is only… • MATERIALISM. Make your life comfortable. • UTILITARIANISM: Good and Bad are only cost benefit equations. • SCIENCE: Science has the ONLY answers.

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