Existentialism Flashcards
What is the fundamental question of existentialism?
What does it mean to exist?
What kind of movement is it?
A philosophical movement.
What is the main theory?
It emphasizes the existence of the individual as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of will.
Investigation into the nature of the human condition.
Context
- end of WW2
- attempt to deal with the brutality and chaos of the war
- holocaust
- atomic bomb
- loss of faith in religion and science religion
- insignificance of human life
Movement questioned the validity of reason
Evils of capitalism
God is dead (religion)
Atomic bomb (science)
MAN’S INHUMANITY TO MAN
Exposed / realized through ww2
Atomic bomb
Brought up feelings of fear and anxiety, people felt vulnerable, loss of humanity, isolation.
WW2
Aftermath left public in disarray
Certainty was destroyed
Order of life unclear
World wide genocide experienced for the first time
Existentialism summed up mood at the time
Vulnerable Scared Despair Chaos Loss of communication Disillusionment Cruelty Helplessness Futility
Existence itself was arbitrary
Individual aware of their existence but free
Unshackled from science and religion
No certainty in life except death
Idea of angst created
Man flinches away from the idea of reality and responsibility of decision making
WOMB TO TOMB
Man only born to die
Nietzsche
Philosopher
Idea of fashioning ones own existence
Jean Paul Satre
Existence precedes essence
What is Nihilism
Idea of believing in nothing, skepticism towards any existing systems and external organizing systems.
What is pathos?
Feeling of emptiness or sadness felt when one identifies with a character.
Tenets of exsistentialism …
We are condemned to be free
We are adrift in a world devoid of purpose
Devaluation of language - meaningless
We are trapped in an absurd existence
Emphasis on morality
No absolute moral laws
The human condition is one of suffering
Idea of Sisyphus
Man and rock up hill etc
Philosopher - Cami
What is Nihilism
Idea of believing in nothing, skepticism towards any existing systems and external organizing systems.
What is pathos?
Feeling of emptiness or sadness felt when one identifies with a character.
Tenets of exsistentialism …
We are condemned to be free
We are adrift in a world devoid of purpose
Devaluation of language - meaningless
We are trapped in an absurd existence
Emphasis on morality
No absolute moral laws
The human condition is one of suffering
Idea of Sisyphus
Man and rock up hill etc
Philosopher - Cami
