Can someone explain what this means.?

Question

That is, they argue against definitions of human beings as primarily rational. Rather, existentialists look at where people find meaning. Existentialism asserts that people actually make decisions based on what has meaning to them rather than what is rational.

Answer 1

They make the argument that human beings are not rational--probably mean logical. They don't base decisions on facts, but on experience which they have interpreted to be normal. Therefore, they make their decisions based on their norm, not on what tests and experiments show us to be "normal." It really just means that as we grew up, we found ways of doing things that got us the results we wanted. When we now face a new situation, we revert to what seems to be the closest situation we had that resembles this new one, and we use the solution that worked then.

Answer 2

Sartre in Existentialism and Human Emotion presents the human as condemned to be free. No matter what logic we choose to use or who we choose to consult we are deciding the course ourselve. For example: If a young woman thinks she may get an abortion and she consults a Cathiolic priest, she knows the answer she will receive and will still be forced to choose if she will act accordingly. Ultimately we are unable to turn over our free will even if we make a vain attempt to do so. We are 'condemned 'to choose by our actions.

Answer 3

Hi Babbs,
To me it seemingly means we judge or make decisions based on our own opinion as oppose to the reality of there being two sides to every story. We should find a rational solution by studying all components. Concerning our selves could lead to the possibility that would rush us to the wrong conclusion, solely because of our initial feelings, experience and prejudices.
I hope this is close to your search for the meaning of the statement involved.

Answer 4

what they're saying in a nut shell, people make more decision base on their emotions, rather than rational thoughts which i believe is true, and that is a vicious cycle you will find on every continent,- (oh honey just do what your heart says!) suppose one has a deceptive heart ! since I am answering this question you ask- it Say's in the bible that the heart has some problems and with out the love of GOD we are not fit.

Answer 5

Well, I think I could by into that part of existentialism. The statement is rather self explanatory so you may need to grab a dictionary and reread the entire chapter. After that, chat it up with your classmates because this requires to much back and forth for Y! Answers.

Answer 6

rationality has levels and is definitely conditioned.
consider this example:
there's a glass of 37 C degree water , then if u want to measure temperature of water your mind will issue a word of warm or cold or whatever base on your recent body temp.
u know what ??if u just came and have washed your hand with cold water that should be warm and so vice versa

Answer 7

It means that we each give our life all of the meaning that it has.

The choices we make are then based on this meaning that we have chosen.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 8

Ok, you are under a shelter and hungry, its raining.

You see an apple tree and want an apple,the rational - if you go in the rain you get wet.

You go get an apple anyway.because it has more meaning to you.

Answer 9

huh? look i don't know really what you're saying but when i have a tough life altering decision to make i usually just flip a coin.

Answer 10

what then is life to be known as. I think, there for I am. for what am I? if not to have known I am not dead, and without thought of where I am.In which vessel I am contained and for what I do labors, and whom has been master. for what have I lived?