Existentialism

Question 1

-Phenomenology sets aside questions about the so-called objective nature of things; it
recommended instead that we explore phenomena more subjectively; from within our
human experience.
-This adopted phenomenology’s subjective approach and further developed
practical issues of human experience, such as making choices and personal commitments.
-Made by Jean-Paul Sartre and Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Answer 1

Existentialism

Question 2

-was a French novelist, playwright, and exponent of Existentialism—a philosophy acclaiming
the freedom of the individual human being.
-He was awarded the Nobel Prize for
Literature in 1964, but he declined it.

Answer 2

Jean-Paul Sartre

Question 3

-Humans create themselves through free choices and are responsible for who they are
-Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself
-He is only what he wills himself to be after this thrust toward existence
-Existentialism is highly subjective—we can presumably set out to make of
ourselves anything we wish.

Answer 3

Existence Precedes Essence

Question 4

• We exist then create a purpose, not a purpose was given to us before we are born
• states that God does not exist, and so there is at least one being in whom existence precedes essence, and exists before he can be defined by any concept, and this being is man
• Since there is no God to conceive it, there is no human nature
• “Your purpose is to serve God” is a false statement

Answer 4

Atheistic Existentialism

Question 5

• We wrongly blame anything else but ourselves for our decisions even though we decided for it
• If we believe this, then we are in the same category as unreflective life forms like moss and cauliflower

Answer 5

“Essence precedes existence

Question 6

• “We are condemned to be totally free.” - we can’t look to anyone for answers (not even parents or our president) because no one at all has answers.
• You are a thinking being, capable of reflective thought, propelled toward a future of your own creation, making free choices independent of any prior influences
• We have the choice to be influenced by the things around us
• Ethics of strict accountability based on individual responsibility

Answer 6

Freedom and Responsibility

Question 7

inescapable part of human condition

Answer 7

Existential Emotions

Question 8

-burden of deciding for the whole humanity; we alone have to decide
what is the right thing to do and there is no one to rely on other than ourselves
-When we decide alone with no one to rely too (eg. decided for SHS)
-Emphasis on DECIDING

Answer 8

Anguish

Question 9

-we are alone, with no one to turn to for support other than
ourselves
-Emphasis on ALONE

Answer 9

Abandonment

Question 10

there are many elements in life that are completely outside our
control

Answer 10

Despair

Question 11

-fully accepting that we are “condemned to be free,” completely responsible for every action we take in life
-If we can’t turn to anyone for answers, we should live _______
(accepting the full weight of freedom in light of the absurd)
-The whole point of living _____ is that no one can decide for your decisions, only you. Because your decisions are determined by the values you choose to live by. There is no specific answer until it is actually decided for (no moral theory could help you determine this)
-But then we have to understand that we are completely responsible for every action we take in life

Answer 11

Authenticity