EXISTENTIALISM

What is Existentialism?

Def: A philosophical attitude that stresses the individual’s unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices

SOREN KIERKEGAARD (1813-1855)

• Considered the first existential philosopher

• “Leap of faith” method

• There is not enough evidence necessary for faith—one must simply go on faith alone

• “Doubt is conquered by faith, just as it is faith which has brought doubt into the world.”

• One could conclude that Christian doctrines are true, but if they only agreed with likelihood then they are not truly religious because true belief requires true faith

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE (1905-1980)

• Existence precedes essence

• There is no Creator

• Because there is no Creator, there cannot be essence (think soul) before our existence

• It is our duty to create our own essence through our own actions

ALBERT CAMUS (1913-1960)

• Did not consider himself an existential, rather, an absurdist

• His theories and beliefs on absurdity are outlined in The Myth of Sisyphus

• Absurdity ignores rather than hopes

THE STRANGER (L’ETRANGER)

Themes:

• The universe is irrational

• Life is meaningless

• Physical sensation

Influences:

• Atheism

• Absurdism

• Nihilism

TEACHING THE STRANGER (L’ESTRANGER)

• Why is this a good idea for teenagers?• As they are preparing to go out in the world, they must begin to consider themselves citizens of the world

• What are their responsibilities as global citizens? Who is affected by their actions? Do they operate singularly in the world, or do their actions have meaning?

• Essay question: What makes your life meaningful? What gives it this meaning?

EXISTENTIALISM LEADS TO AUTHENTIC EDUCATION

• Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl (1967)• Meaning is found through horror

• Without meaning, life is a prison

• With meaning, any experience (bad or good) becomes the foundation for a more enriched life

THE MYTH OF SISYPHUS

TO LIVE OR NOT TO LIVE…

• Life is meaningless unless we give it meaning

• There is no destiny, fate, or predetermination

• There is no reason for the universe to exist

• Death is the only certainty