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Existentialism. A little more information. Metaphysical Aspects of Existentialism. Wait! What is Metaphysics? Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world although it is not easily defined. Existentialists believe:
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Existentialism A little more information
Metaphysical Aspects ofExistentialism • Wait! • What is Metaphysics? • Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world although it is not easily defined. • Existentialists believe: • Reality is subjective within the individual. Reality is internal rather than external thus is different for everybody.
Epistemological (Theory of knowledge) & Logical Aspectsof Existentialism • We can know what’s real through introspection and perception. • The discovery of who we are explains what is. • Perception is reality. • Phenomenological approach to reality – that is, exploration of phenomena or that which we are aware of in our conscious experience Explore Your Inner Self
Axiological (Study of value) Aspects of Realism • Axiology studies mainly two kinds of values: ethics and aesthetics. Ethics investigates the concepts of "right" and "good" in individual and social conduct. Aesthetics studies the concepts of "beauty" and "harmony." • The source of truth and right is the individual. • The individual is responsible for all of his/herchoices. • Valuing is a personal choice.
Some Particulars of Existentialism • Main: To portray human struggle to achieve self-definition through choice. • Looks at the world to provide the human reason for being. • Each person is responsible (and the only one capable) for creating his or her own experience. • Values subjectivity over objectivity. • Existentialism emphasizes action, freedom, and decision as fundamental to human existence.
Some Particulars of Existentialism • The human situation for the Existentialist is thus characterized by: • Anxiety: We are faced with the lack of any external source of value and determination. We are faced with the responsibility of choosing our own nature and values, and, in doing so, we must face the awesome responsibility of choosing human nature and values for all men in our free choices. • Despair: In seeing the contrast between the world we are thrown into and which we cannot control and the absolute freedom we have to create ourselves, we must despair of any hope of external value or determination and restrict ourselves to what is under our own control.
Personalities in Existentialism • Jean-Paul Satre (1905-1980) • “Existence precedes essence”: challenged traditional thought that said human behavior is based on an antecedent definition of human nature. • We have no predetermined nature or essence that controls what we are, what we do, or what is valuable for us. • We are radically free to act independently of determination by outside influences. • We create our own human nature through these free choices. • We also create our values through these choices.