Existentialism What s It All About And Who Cares

â€Å"Existentialism: What’s It All About Who Cares?† Patrick Jemmer Swansea Philosophy Cafà ©: Wednesday 9 January 2013 How can we classify it? Existentialism maps out a believable and engaging â€Å"blueprint† for living a â€Å"good life,† rather than being a single, unified, and unchanging â€Å"school† of philosophical doctrine. We could say that is a way of life for individuals bold enough not to â€Å"prefer a handful of ‘certainty’ to a cartful of beautiful possibilities.† How did it start? We might see Existentialism as originating with the Ancient Greeks who asked the all-embracing question, â€Å"What is the good life?† Over a thousand years later, after the â€Å"Enlightenment,† thee ideas were refined and extended. Hume (1711 – 1776) began to investigate the nature of science, and to ask â€Å"What is it to know anything?† Kant (1724 – 1804) was trying to explain the basic, general relationships between the reasoning human mind and experience. Hegel’s (1770 – 1831) â€Å"phenomenological† or â€Å"self-observational† investigations into the nature and operation of the human mind produced a vast theoretical system† explaining the links between the subject and object of knowledge, between human consciousness and its environment, and gave a general framework for understanding art, history, philosophy, politics, psychology, and religion. How did it develop? Next came, for example, Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860), Nietzsche (1844 – 1900), Jaspers (1883 – 1969), Heidegger (1889 – 1976), Merleau-Ponty (1908 – 1961),Show MoreRelatedMetamorphosis And The Stranger1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe existence and purpose of human live has always posed a question for society. To answer this question, philosophers ponder Existentialism. Existentialism is the philosophy that humans exist for no true purpose and that each individual changes essence in his or her lifetime by finding meaning in life through freewill, choice, and personal responsibility without certain knowledge of right and wrong. This theory gained popularity in the mid-1900s after WWII caused many people to lose hope in an orderedRead MoreBlindness By Jose Saramago s Blindness1646 Words   |  7 Pagessee white. The unfortunate people who have received the terribly contagious disease spreading around are to be isolated in an abandoned mental hospital to avoid the spreading of the blindness. Existentialism is the philosophy that one can be influenced tremendously from the external factors surrounding them. This is portrayed several times throughout Blindness, where the characters adapt new ways of acting due to outside factors. The characters in the story, who are anonymously named, are able toRead MoreExistentialism : A Philosophical Position On Mankind788 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Why do we exist? What is the purpose of our life? What is our relation to the world and to other people?† (Gravail, Richard 7). These are the types of questions raised in the heart of philosophy. Existentialism is simply a philosophical approach that focuses on human freedom and responsibilities. Moreover, I agree with the philosophical position on mankind presented in Jean-Paul Sartre’s â€Å"Existentialism.† Man will be what he plans to be, solely depending on his will. Man creates himself and hisRead MoreExis tentialism : A Very Short Introduction Essay980 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen† (Brown). In the book Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction, Thomas Flynn writes about one of the leading philosophical movements in the twentieth century: existentialism. This theory emphasizes that each individual is entirely free, making them responsible and accountable for their actions or choices. With thisRead MoreExistentialism By Frank Kafk Isolation And Desperation1207 Words   |  5 PagesExistentialism can be defined in a multitude of forms. Frank Kafka was a prominent, influential German-language writer of novels and short stories; one of which includes The Metamorphosis. His distinguishing philosophy of existentialism consists of two main concepts: isolation and desperation. The notion of alienation is a fundamental theme that is condensed throughout the short story. Gregor Samsa, main character and protagonist of The Metamorphosis, goes through a complete physical transfigurationRead MoreIs Happiness the Purpose of Life?1317 Words   |  5 Pagesand unhappiness, but we are oblivious as to what happiness is. What comes to mind when thinking of happiness? Is it pleasure, the thought of the good life, prosperity, or is it something else? We won’t be able to have a response to that question until we have a notion of happiness. When reading this quote, I connected it to a few philosophical ideas. The first connection I made to was hedonism then epicureanism, stoicism, free will and existentialism. The quote made me question, are we truly happyRead MoreDifferent Opinions Of People From Non Human Animals And Non Livings1261 Words   |  6 Pagesto face exactly what man really is capable of being. We see different views, different opinions of men such as altruism, egoism, good and evil. It is no doubt that human beings possess either one or any of these characteristics, which make them unique. It is safe to say that our actions, beliefs, and choices separate us from animals and non-livings. The 20th century English philosopher, Martin Hollis, once said, â€Å"Free will – the ability to make decisions about how to act – is what distinguishes peopleRead MoreExistentialism vs Essentialism23287 Words   |  94 PagesEssentialism vs. Existentialism Essentialism: A belief that things have a set of characteristics that make them what they are, amp; that the task of science and philosophy is their discovery amp; expression; the doctrine that essence is prior to existence While, Existentialism:A philosophical theory or approach, that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free amp; responsible agent, determining their own development through acts of the will. Existentialism * isRead MoreEnglish Literature- an Episode in the Life of an Author5918 Words   |  24 PagesAlbee fall within this category, but the form has been most popular in France because of its ties to existentialism and can be seen in the plays of Jean Genet, Eugene Ionesco and Samuel Bucket. In Bucket’s waiting for ‘Godot’ two tramps waits interminably and in great uncertainty for someone who never arrives, who may have specify this meeting place and who may never have promised to appear at all. Four pillars of absurd theater. †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Irrational Illogical Non sensical Un consequential Theme ofRead MoreThe Fundamental Principles That Confirm The Importance Of Frankl s Existential Theory And Logotherapy4000 Words   |  16 PagesSomehow, he had managed to overcome his circumstances, embrace his live, and live prosperously. However, because there were so many who did not survive the ordeal, Frankl began to search for the answer as to why he survived while others perished. Eventually Frankl would embrace the philosophy of German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, who suggested that, â€Å"He who has a â€Å"why† to live for can bear with almost any â€Å"how†. (Boeree, George) Frankl definitely had a â€Å"why† to live. While imprisoned at