Existentialism for dummies?

Answer 1

The existentialist slogan (Sartre's) is: existence precedes essence.

What this means is:

1. There is no 'essential' human existence - that is, there is no 'human nature'. Your nature is what you choose it to be.

2. No matter how much you might want to deny it, your life is what you make it with your choices. You have free will, and thus you have nothing else to blame for the way your life turns out than your own decisions.

3. You are fully responsible for your immoral behavior.

Some existentialists have been atheists (e.g. Sartre), some have chosen religious belief (e.g. Kierkegaard).

Interestingly, existentialism did not develop in opposition to hard determinism (that is, physical science) but in opposition to the 'absolute idealism' and extreme rationalism of Hegel and his followers.

Answer 2

Existentialism Definition For Dummies

Answer 3

Existentialism For Dummies

Answer 4

It is often forgotten that existentialism is actually short for existential phenomenology. It is the counterpoint to essential phenomenology.

Existential phenomenology seeks to understand the world as-it-is whereas essential phenomenology seeks to understand the world as-it-is-ultimately. Existentialists categorically believe that there is no ultimate way the world is beyond its current condition.

The means by which a Phenomenologist analyzes the world is through experience. So, an existential phenomenologist tries to see the world as-it-is and from that pure point of view examine how the world works. As the world is merely experience to a phenomenologist the fallibility of human senses does not hinder one’s interpretation of experience because experience only begins after the senses.

Answer 5

Basically where you are now and where ever you end up in what ever situation is your own doing because of the choices you made; oh, and there is no God.

By the way, I think therefore I am has nothing to do with existentialism, that was Descares who was a rationalist and lived in the 1600s

Answer 6

The ultimate source of my reality it me. "Sensio ergo sum." (I feel therefore I am). Because I am the ultimate source of my reality I may safely conclude two things:

1. The idea of an objective "meaning to life" is an absurd question.(Your life is entirely what you make it).

2. Because of proposition number one, the individual must at all times accept unflinching responsibility for all choices made. No cop-outs allowed. It's my life, and I own it all.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

[Done!]

Answer 8

dummies for existentialism ha ha

Answer 9

Tao

Answer 10

Real Dummies are already existentialists.
Probably they do not care about it.
We care, sometimes.