Existentialism

1. Existentialism Humanities 128 Winter, 2013 Prof. Cynthia Rostankowski

2. Existentialism is… a philosophical system based upon the rejection of certain traditional philosophical “givens.” Although Existentialists often differ in tenets of their doctrines, there seem to be certain themes to which all subscribe.

3. What traditional aspect of philosophy do Existentialists reject? First and foremost, the claim that humans are essentially rational beings. - Rather, Existentialists claim that a human exists, and as such, is a bundle of all of what he/she experiences; existence precedes essence. This, then, leads to the shared existential themes:

4. 1. The relation of an individual to conceptual schemes or world systems Typically, an individual makes sense of him- or herself in terms of world views, systems, ideologies. The Existentialist rejects the view that the individual is subsumed within the system/world view. What exists, i.e. the individual, comes first. Also, some Existentialists claim that people are alienated, but not collectively, only ever individually, because an individual may fail to recognize his or her freedom.

5. 2. Knowledge of self, knowledge of others – the role of intentionality. Typically, people think that they can really get to know each other by involvement in one another’s lives. The Existentialists maintain that it is not possible ever to know another as one is in one’s self; one can only know another through the “medium” of one’s own self (subjectively) – and this is necessarily a false picture!

6. 3. The absurdity of being Typically, people think that there is some ultimate explanation of why things are the way they are and not otherwise. The Existentialists maintain that there is no such ultimate explanation – being is absurd. For Sartre, this means there is no purpose to life, there is no God, nothing to look to to make sense of things. In fact, Sartre would say that to operate as if there were a purpose is also absurd.

7. 4. Freedom and choice Typically, people admit of freedom to some extent. It is common for people to blame matters on outside concerns. The Existentialists maintain that we are actually completely free, and choice is central to humans. This is what “existence precedes essence” means – we make our nature/character by the choices we make. We come to BE by what we choose to DO. To deny one’s freedom and responsibility for what one chooses is to act in BAD FAITH.

8. 5. The role of extreme experiences Typically, people seek to avoid what can cause personal upheaval, tranquility and predictability are sought after. Existentialists, however, point out that our choices create us, move us through our existence to our essence. So, when confronted with the extreme, we really come to see what matters. Fear is important.

9. 6. Communication Typically, people presume that they communicate, and get their messages across pretty effectively. Existentialists maintain that to communicate must include some way to bring about EXPERIENCE in the other. Thus, many existentialists write literary works, or write startlingly. While they see communication as futile, people pursue it nonetheless – aiming to accomplish the un-accomplishable.

10. So, is everything hopeless? No, even though the situation of each person is desperate, it is also completely FREE. We are never trapped, we always have choices. This recognition is the most powerful motivating forces of the Existentialist, because it is the ground for permitting ourselves HOPE.