2006-08-10 14:02:37 · 9 answers · asked by ij_agawa 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Existentialism is a tough concpet to pin down, but its main idea is this: people must make a way for themselves in a cold, difficult, uncaring world.
Life is full of rules and restrictions and obstacles, but an existentialist recognizes an individual's capacity to rise above these difficulties and make choices for oneself.
2006-08-10 17:49:49 · answer #1 · answered by jimbob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you meaning to ask about "existenentialism" but got the spelling a bit off? If so, then the best way to think about existentialism is this little catch phrase: Existence PRECEEDS essence. What that means is that existence (your physical body and brain) comes BEFORE ideas (like spirit, soul, or God). While some argue that there have been "religious existentialists," what this boils down to is that you can have a "god," but humans create gods in their own image, not the other way around. While some associate existentialist philosophy as being dark and depressing because if there is no ultimate reality (like a god), then we are living meaningless lives, this really isn't what extentialism is about. The philosophy celebrates subjectivity, meaning that the way you think and view and experience life is the most important thing, so your own indivuality of perspective is the most important thing. While existentialists might talk about how "absurd" life can be (because you really can't predict future outcomes), they never use this as an excuse for inaction. In fact, they'd suggest that the very fact that life can be absurd and unpredictable is why you MUST be active politically, socially, and in other ways as well. The roots of existentialism go back a long way, but some of the most famous modern writers were Camus and Sartre (both French) and Nietsche (German).
2006-08-10 23:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by mz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Existentialism is a concerned with the human condition. There have Christian and non-Christian existentialists. Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote about what would life be without God. The Grand Inquisitor in The Brothers Karamazov is a classic discourse on that topic. A well known non-Christian was Fredrick Nietzsche, who coined the phrase, "God is dead." Another was Jean-Paul Sartre, famous for Being and Nothingness. He was gamous for his essence and existence/ bad faith. A person is first existent, then as he grows he develops his essence by his actions, either good and bad.
2006-08-10 21:16:02 · answer #3 · answered by tigranvp2001 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its been a while since phil 101, however, i believe its the study of a persons relationship with God. Try searching Kierkegaard, Nichzie and Sartre. May have misspelled Nichzie(he's the only you can make you feel guilt guy) enjoy your about to step into the deep end of the pool.
2006-08-10 21:32:05 · answer #4 · answered by AlphaD 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a movement that tries to more or less prove that existence has meaning, that every individual is a purposeful and valuable gem, or something like that.
It also mentions the importance of keeping your filthy mitts off Silas's sammich.
2006-08-10 21:09:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do your own philosophy home work.
2006-08-10 21:23:32 · answer #6 · answered by m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a very good source on existentialism:
2006-08-10 23:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by R[̲̅ə̲̅٨̲̅٥̲̅٦̲̅]ution 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are all ALONE! You are only as unique as your environment. Your purpose in life is to survive. Keep your hands off my sandwich.
2006-08-10 21:08:55 · answer #8 · answered by silas h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go watch i heart huckabees
2006-08-10 21:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by rachel k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋