What is Existentialism - 1533 Words

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that puts a lot of emphasis on, as the name suggests, existence. However, the movement stresses more on the existence of the human being in particular. Key elements of this movement with regards human existences is the question of choice, freedom and subjectivity. I am particularly interested in the matters that arise from the existentialists and their effect on Africa and its people. I will generalize here as I try to look at Africa in a broad sense focusing using examples on different existential issues that affect the African continent. Existentialism comes through from a time of the Romantic Period in Europe. Focus had been put on a return to nature, feelings and an attack on rationalism. Most thinkers in this tradition like Kierkergard, Hiedegger and Nietzche focus on the issue and feeling of anxiety in the human condition. Treated well this anxiety goes on to breed authenticity in the human being. Anxiety comes about as an ontological question. One constantly asks themselves the question of â€Å"being†, â€Å"who am I?† Kiekergaard talks of this anxiety this way, â€Å"All existence make me anxious, from the smallest fly to the mysteries of the Incarnation; the whole thing is inexplicable to me, I myself most of all; to me all existence is infected, I myself most of all.† (Journals, II A 420). Kierkegaard who was born in the 19th century is situated in a Europe which was experiencing the industrial revolution. Mass movements of people fromShow MoreRelatedExistentialism : What Is It? Essay1704 Words   |  7 PagesDecember 2016 Period 6 Mr. Reidinger Existence: What Is It? One of the most persistent, haunting dilemmas is the uncertainty of the meaning of life. Although there is no single answer to this enigma, there are countless theories concerning it. For example, one philosophical approach is known as Existentialism. Jean Paul Sartre, a well-known existentialist, introduced his 3-word ideology, existence precedes essence in his lecture titled Existentialism is a Humanism which was presented during 1940’sRead MoreExistentialism : What Do You Choose? Essay2349 Words   |  10 PagesAllow me to begin by saying that I find this particular assignment to be the universe’s idea of some sort of sick joke against me. Ironically, we are studying existentialism. What a peculiar coincidence that I have to research for myself the topic of existentialism, while I feel as though I am going through an existential crisis as of right now. It felt as though I was transported into one of those cheesy high-school-esque movies that the Hollywood machine p umps out over and over; where the booksRead MoreExistentialism : What s It All About And Who Cares?3875 Words   |  16 Pagesâ€Å"Existentialism: What’s It All About Who Cares?† Patrick Jemmer Swansea Philosophy Cafà ©: Wednesday 9 January 2013 How can we classify it? Existentialism maps out a believable and engaging â€Å"blueprint† for living a â€Å"good life,† rather than being a single, unified, and unchanging â€Å"school† of philosophical doctrine. We could say that is a way of life for individuals bold enough not to â€Å"prefer a handful of ‘certainty’ to a cartful of beautiful possibilities.† How did it start? We might see ExistentialismRead MoreExistentialism : Existentialism And Existentialism994 Words   |  4 Pageshis choices† (Sartre, n.d.). When discussing existentialism, the man responsible for this quote is always attached to the conversation. As the man who is often remembered for bringing the most amount of international attention to the theory of existentialism, Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre deserves to have his theories and ideals discussed and respected whenever possible. Firstly, what exactly is existentialism? The textbook defines existentialism as â€Å"a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizingRead MoreExistentialism and its Role Today1027 Words   |  5 PagesDaoism, Stoicism, and Existentialism. Since each person defines their happiness differently, each person has their own opinion as to whether or not what is read to be correct or not. The goal is to at least shine a light to what everyone seems drawn towards. Existentialism is an important theory to consider in order to achieve the Good Life. Although existentialism may not appeal to everyone as a reliable theory to achieve the Good Life, it does elaborate as to how existentialism can be used to attainRead MoreExistentialism1408 Words   |  6 Pages Existentialism and its facets There are many philosophies that people use in their lives. Some of the ways of thinking are linked to some prominent people. There is idealism, naturalism, experimentalism, and existentialism among others. This essay explores existentialism, which has been postulated by Sartre among others. The other proponents of existentialism include Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, martin Buber, Martin Heidegger and Martin Buber. The weakness and strengths of existentialism are going toRead MoreSartre s Idea Of The Self983 Words   |  4 Pagesor God. Sartre’s idea of Existentialism introduces a new way of thinking in terms of how we become a self. This paper will argue for Sartre’s idea of Existentialism by addressing the way in which it provides a concept of the self that has not been predetermined. Jean-Paul Sartre was considered one of the foremost thinkers in the world of existentialism. He firmly represented the idea of atheistic existentialism, and further described the broader term of existentialism as â€Å"existence precedes essence†Read MoreShakespeares King Lear vs. Tuesdays with Morrie1495 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Existentialism was in part a reaction to modernism, but its roots can be traced to ancient philosophical traditions ranging from Zoroastrianism and Judaism, Buddhism and Platonism (Flynn). The essence of existentialism is authenticity of experience, asking the philosopher to undergo deep introspection. However, existentialism is perhaps most famous for its probing questions about what Friedrich Nietzsche called the tension of the soul, (2). Known colloquially as existential angst, the tensionRead MoreExistentialism And Human Emotions By Jean Paul Sartre1513 Words   |  7 PagesJean-Paul Sartre s novel Existentialism and Human Emotions discusses h is philosophy that man is responsible for what he is and what he does; that man chooses his values and makes himself. At the beginning of the book, Sartre defends existentialism against several charges that had been laid against it. Throughout the book, Sartre refers to the basis of existentialism using the phrase ‘existence precedes essence . With this, phrase lies the basis for the argument that Existentialism is a Humanism. InRead MoreExistentialism and Its Role today799 Words   |  4 Pagesdaoism, stoicism, and existentialism. Since each person defines their happiness differently, each person has their own opinion as to whether or not what is read to be correct or not. The goal is to at least shine a light onto what everyone seems drawn towards. Existentialism is an important theory to consider in order to achieve the Good Life. Although existentialism may not appeal to everyone as a reliable theory to achieve the Good Life, it does elaborate as to how existentialism can be used to achieve