Albert Bandura Class 8

What is existentialism?

Create purpose and meaning in ourselves

Reciprocal determinism:

 

We choose many of the situations we enter. We are changed by the situations we experience. Your presence changes these situations

Existentialism

By Frank & May Founded as reaction to science/technology/rationalism:

-Originated mid-1800s, caught on after WW2. Science/ Tech/ Rationalism degrades human experience because it alienates us from humanity

Humanism and self-actualization

Rogers, Maslow

Mental states could not be reduced to (humans are inherently good)

Self-determination theory

Deci & Ryan( more than route to happiness)

Personal constructs

George Kelly

Physicalism

all things can be reduced to their physical properties and are governed by the laws of physics i.e., what is real is what is observable

The "Knowledge" or "What it's like" Argument:

Knowledge of phenomenal experience cannot be learned or derived from complete physical knowledge

E.F. Schumacher (1977) posted a thought experiment

Material world can be subdivided into materials, plants, animals, and people

-What differentiates plants from minerals?

What differentiates animals from plants?

What differentiates people from animals?

Are all of these qualities physically observable?'

Fundamental doctrine: Existence precedes essence

Your personality/ experience are not given or pre-determined, but rather constructed/ chosen by you ''

The existential attitude

-Life is inherently absurd:

-There is no "good" and "Bad" in nature

Thrown-ness

You don't choose to live here/now

Existential dilemma:

Who am I, why am I here?

Anguish

choices always involve ambiguous (Not clear cut) trade-off

Forlorn

We own our choices and are alone in them

Despair

many (very important) aspects of life lie beyond your control

Two ways forward:

Develop optimistic toughness and live each moment to its fullest - living an authentic existence. -Avoid confronting this dilemma by withdrawing from the moment - living in bad faith

Its impossible

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice"- Geddy Lee

Whats wrong with bad faith?

IT means you essentially forfeit your one life out of fear of death

 

It won't make you happy

 

Uncertainty leads to angst

The absence of predictable outcomes triggers emotional distress and apprehension.

Focus on phenomenological experience:

The only reality is the one you are creating/experiencing right now

 

Self-efficacy vs.(locus of control):

-Focus on behaviors vs. outcomes(LoC)

-Specific vs. generalized(LoC) expectancies