Thread: Existentialism?

There was a day when I could write you a 20 page paper on existentialism and its significance.

But now those days are behind me, and all I can offer is this simple summary:

Existentialism is the word used to describe a movement in France during the 40's and 50's, involving former members of the French resistance who sat around reading Nietzsche, Russian literature, discussing Greek mythology (specifically Sysiphus), and smoking too damn much.

Key players: Camus, Sarte, Beckett... American Players (sidenotes): Heller, Vonnegut, etc.

Some of these guys are referred to as Absurdists.

Existentialism is basically the understanding that people are separate, concrete entities each one making a difference in a solid world, with no universal connection other than the influences they have on one another. While it is good that they stress individual choice and personal freedom, the core of the philosophy fails to take into account the fullness of our reality, and that everything we perceive is in fact coming from within.

^
I disagree with your definition of existentialism, but I guess you're allowed that freedom.

Well I welcome a disagreement. What part do you think is wrong? That's just what I gathered from a random existentialism website.

Maybe this page will help you:


http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/exist.html

Though some of his notions of Buddhism in the section "Why is Buddhism Not Existential?" are rather skewed and demonstrate a lack of understanding (though I would agree that Buddhism is not Existentialism), perhaps [and hopefully] the author has a better understanding of Existentialism.

Actually I'd already read that.

My idea of existentialism is that there is no real meaning to existance except for what we make for ourselves, and by that virtue we are alone in the world(not to mention other things that separate individuals).

The obvious problem with this is: If we can't find meaning in existance, and we must make meaning for ourselves, then isn't that meaning just as empty and contrived as that we find in society and religion?

go to the video store and try to find "what the (bleep) do we know?" don't pay attention to the stupid actors they hired to demonstrate the theories but just listen to the theories. they talk a lot about quantum physics in relation existentialism (indirectly). they talk about choice, addiction, god, and basic brain anatomy.

now as far as existentialism goes... there are so many different ways to interpret the theory but i take a basic look at it. EVERYTHING that affects me is a choice. i chose to let it affect me in whatever way it may. it's always up to me. internal locus of control sort of deal.

Im a philosophy major still in college, and Ive written one 20 page paper on existentialism, and I have another one dues in 2 weeks (gulp).

But anyways, My summary would be this.

Some people believe that there is an essence to human beings. Some innate qualities that determine who you are, that you cannot escape from. You are dealt cards, and then you play your hand. This is the notion that you have an essence, before you determine your existence. Essence precedes existence.

Existentialism denies this notion. It denies any inherent qualities and instincts. It is the belief that you are a FREE BEING, to make all the choices in your life, and through these choices, through your experience existing, your essence (who you are) is formed. Existence precedes essence.

It preaches responsibility and freedom of choice and action. Sometimes this is thought of as both exhilerating and disparaging. It is disparaging because there is no escape from your own life, you must own up to everything you do. Things that went wrong are your fault.

But it is also exhilerating because of the possibilites that are open. The successes that you acheive are even more meaningful because it is becasue of your own will that you acheived them


End Summary.