2006-07-27 09:39:09 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
My sort of question!
The proposition from Sartre was that "existence precedes essence" or in other words there is nothing that determines existence like God. Sartrean existentialism argues man exists/is brought into the world without purpose, and discovers themself and defines the meaning of his existence. This was an opposing view to the ancient greeks where the belief was that a person came into the world with a path mapped out for them. Existentialism recognises that each person has free will and the choice of how they choose to lead their life.
2006-07-27 10:05:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Existentialism is a philosophical movement which emphasizes on individual existence, freedom, and choice.
There are several philosophical positions all related to existential philosophy but the main identifiable common proposition, is that existence precedes essence. By this, existentialism states that man exists and in that existence man defines himself and the world in his own subjectivity, and wanders between choice, freedom, and existential angst.
The first philosopher to use the term was Soren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855), who reacted against systematic rational philosophy, specially Hegel, and grasped the notion of a truth inside of the evolving self.
Hope this helps
2006-07-27 17:16:35 · answer #2 · answered by stephen3057 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO... but I once met (back in the late 50's in France) the existentialist philosopher Gabriel Marcel - he was the grand father of the girl I did a French/English exchange with!
Google him - might just find what you want.
PS. he was a mellow old man, loved all around him, and spent siesta time at his daughter's in the Dordogne in summer, reading aloud his works/beliefs, to whoever was there to hear/listen. Being in my early teens at the time and there to learn French, it was all over my head, but I still remember the old man.
One day I may feel old enough to look into Existentialism
2006-07-27 16:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by Vagabonda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's partly the idea that everyone has free will and makes choices about their values and actions and then has to take the consequences. Try reading 'L'Etranger' by Albert Camus - I think it's called 'The Outsider' in English. Another great book is 'L'Invitée' by Simone de Beauvoir (a lady who lived her life completely according to her own views and made no apologies for it). It's called 'She Came to Stay' in English and it's gripping although not a great deal appears to happen!
2006-07-27 17:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by pomme_blanche_2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
existentialism is all about your place in the world, and the meanings that you attach to your life. What is the meaning of your life, what gives your life meaning. Anxiety and pain are all part and parcel of living, are normal. We all need to work out for ourselves what gives our lives meaning and importance.
2006-07-27 16:45:20 · answer #5 · answered by Jude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this is it I'm not 100% on this " everything is the same even if its different " Maybe I'm wrong I dunno.
2006-07-27 16:47:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
babies are the true existentialists.
2006-07-27 16:54:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋