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EXISTENTIALISM
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
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
