Exam hop II Flashcards
What does this short text (Husserl) share with Kant’s philosophy?
3
1.That, by the pure description of everything that flows into consciousness, knowledge can be found.
2.understanding of the world is not simply a passive reflection of external reality, but is actively constructed and shaped by the mind
Why does Husserl refer to Descartes as a starting point?
3
Epoché?
1 According to Husserl, by taking the mediation as a starting point a first an absolute certain base can be found. Namely, Descartes doubting everything, in order to find truth.
By starting with Decartes and his pure ego, Husserl argues that only from there, valid meaning of the world can be found.
2Husserl states that it is necessary to take Descartes as a starting point, because it is the only way in which philosophy can escape former methods of doing.
3 Husserl’s phenomenology builds on the idea of using reason in understanding the world, by focusing on the subjective experience of consciousness.
Base by reason. study experience–> valid meaning of world. escape former methods of doing.
What do you think Husserl means when he writes that the life of consciousness is a “Heraclitan ‘flux’’?
3
- ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ idea that everything is in a state of constant change and flux.
- Just like you can never step into the same river twice.
- explain variety > always flowing from one object of consciousness to the other, and never the same.
What does Husserl mean when he writes that the ego’s relation to the objects of consciousness has an “intentional structure”?
- ego= base to acquire knowledge (pure ego)
- objects of consciousness =all the things that the ego can be conscious of. For example, images/ visual representations or emotions or feelings. seeing rabit
- Intentionality =consciousness is always directed towards something, intentional content is the mode or way in which consciousness is about an object. seeing/knowing
> the relation between the ego and the objects of consciousness is always directed in a certain way, or having a certain mode. not just physical, also psychological.
What is understanding according to Arendt?
9
Complicated, No final stage, constant change, ambiguous results, home in world, gives meaning, crucial to fight (to make it meaningfull), same as self-understanding (since the meaning we give to the world is our meaning), think and reflect critically
Why is history both problematic and helpful for the understanding?
History is helpful, since we can only understand something definitely, once it is dead. Everything that is in the past is dead, therefore there is the possibility of understanding it definitely.
So history is problematic for understanding, because everything that happens in the present is original, and can not be understood by simply looking at something similar that happened in the past.
What challenge totalitarianism poses to the understanding?
totalitarianism is characterized by 6
Basis Idea: the very framework through which understanding can arise is gone.
stringent logicality, meaninglessness, a loss of common-sense, and ideological thinking. single world view, eliminate individuality
take away tools: for people to think and act independently, and to resist the manipulation of their thoughts and actions by the state.
What is stupidity according to Arendt?
loss of 5
what is used? 2
5 loss meaning, curiosity, imagination, independence, common sense (a world in which everyone fits and depends)
2 thoughtlessness, logic
What is the role of human freedom in Arendt’s argument?
according to Arendt, one is free when one can understand i.e. create new beginnings. Thus, the role of human freedom in the argument is emphasizing the great importance of understanding and the great destructiveness of totalitarianism in which understanding and thus also freedom are highly challenged.
What are the ambiguities De Beauvoir detects in the human condition? 4
- both transendencance & imminence (independent supreme, unrestricted, powerfull), yet limited by the body
- limited by the past, free to shape own future
- each of us is unique but everyone is unique
- realise born to die (free but limited by situatedness)
Why is failure crucial for ethics? 5
- God does not need ethics > need failure to distinguish right from wrong
- start of ethical thinking, otherwise no deliberation
- oppurtunity to do differently and better
- confront limitations> forming praise and blame
- be responsible
What is the difference between Existentialist conversion and Hegelian sublation?
what is hegelian sublation?
What is conversion?
conversion = radical change in one’s understanding of oneself and the world
Conversion involves a negativity that is always there. which is needed –> fight for action and realisation lack
not a sublation because sublation entails a moment of surpassing to something positive.
What is an authentic existence for De Beauvoir? 4+
- embrace the reality of our freedom
- be responsible
- self-creation
- meaning (self)
+white canvas metaphor
What is the basic ambiguity between transcendence and immanence that crosses the text?
immanence (in itself)= limit body, involuntary, maintenence status quo, time, energy, capabilities, environmental factors
transendendance (for itseld)= rational, conscious, free, creative, autonomous
> we are both
There are two desires fundamental to human beings. What are they?
To be both transcendent and immanent? → desire for going beyond the limitations of physical reality and the desire to be fully present in the physical world.
to have a fixed identity and make sense of it and at the same time the desire to become whatever
Who is criticizing (according to Sartre) existentialism, and why?
1> 2
2>denies 3
- Communists: Existentialism is pessimistic. It encourages contemplation, which is a bourgeois privilege. Moreover, it upholds radical subjectivity which sees no ties to others and is in solidarity with no one.
2 Catholics: denies tradition, moral values, God)
What role does angst (anguish or anxiety) play in Sartre’s account of existentialism?
The role of anguish is to illustrate the consequences (fear, responsibility (for everyone), call for action, meaning making) of existence before essence.
Four components are crucial for existentialism, according to Sartre (which he seems to share with Arendt as well). What are they?
- cogito: The absolute truth is one’s immediate sense of one’s self.
- cogito> discover others and self. recognition to be what I am by others= condition. but also limit (cause they objectify us)
- human condition is inherent biological limitations
- we are committed to being free, and we are freely committed.
What is authenticity? Satre
(what is inauthentic?)
- acklowedging liberty of commitment (becoming aware of ones own freedom and taking responsibility)
3 inauthentic= self-deception (bad faith)
How do we include others in what seems to be an account of radical subjectivity?
what is radical subjectivity?
According to Satre, this radical subjectivity entails responsibility, not only for oneself, but also for everyone else. Namely, the radical subjectivity entails a freedom to make oneself, which according to S comes with a great responsibility, for all men. Because whatever we choose is what we stand for and what mankind commits to.
What does Freud mean by topographical vs. structural understanding of the psyche?
topographical = he conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
structural understanding of the psyche refers to the distinction he made between the id, ego, and superego.
What are the definitions of and differences between unconscious, pre-conscious and conscious in terms of the dynamic understanding of psychoanalysis?
It is not a spacial theory of the unconscious, but a dynamic theory where processes happen. In terms of the dynamic understanding of psychoanalysis, the unconscious refers to the part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are not currently in our awareness and are difficult to access. It also contains a not repressed part which is the ego which is the gatekeeper. The preconscious refers to the part of the mind that contains thoughts and memories that are not currently in our awareness but can easily be brought to mind. The conscious refers to the part of the mind that contains the thoughts and experiences we are aware of.
What is the id?
The id is the part of the psyche that contains primitive and instinctual desires. It is governed by the pleasure principle, which seeks immediate gratification of desires. The pleasure principle is the reduction of intensities, as pleasure comes from reducing pressure. It contains the passions.
What is the ego?
The ego is the part of the psyche that mediates between the desires of the id and the demands of reality. The Ego is the gatekeeper of what can flow into consciousness and what not. The fact that the Ego represses many things from going into consciousness, gives one an unpleasant feeling. It is governed by the reality principle, which seeks to delay gratification of desires in order to avoid negative consequences. The reality principle links to our social and moral values that we abide by. The ego is driven by our two drives, the death (thanatos) and love (eros) drive.
