Lesson 8 - Romanticism and Existentialism

Romanticism

Movement emphasizing emotion over reason and intellect.

Intuitive Comprehension

Understanding nature through instinct rather than logic.

Pantheism

Belief that God is immanent in nature.

Geist

Spirit or essence of a particular age.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Father of Romanticism; influential philosopher and writer.

The Social Contract

Rousseau's work on political philosophy and society.

General Will

Collective interest of the community over individual desires.

Private Will

Individual desires distinct from the community's needs.

Noble Savage

Idealized human uncorrupted by civilization and society.

Cultural Identity

Unique characteristics defining a nation's or group's identity.

Secularized Pantheism

Nature and divinity seen as interconnected without religion.

Rousseau's Childhood

Abandoned at 10; faced hardships and instability.

Salon Culture

Social gatherings for intellectual discussion and exchange.

Madame de Warens

Rousseau's mentor and lover; influenced his intellectual life.

The Social Contract's Opening

'Man is born free and yet everywhere in chains.'

Anti-Social Activity

Behavior motivated by selfishness against societal norms.

Supreme Government

Authority that enables individuals to reach full potential.

Rousseau's Distrust

Skepticism towards reason, religion, and established laws.

Rousseau's Ideal State

No private property; state owns all resources.

Rousseau's Death

Died in Paris; circumstances unclear, possibly suicide.

Romanticism's Legacy

Influenced literature, art, and philosophy in Europe.

German Romanticism

Focused on history, art, and cultural unity.

Human Nature

Belief in inherent goodness of humanity.

Noble Savage

Ideal human, uncorrupted by civilization.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Critic of modern society, valued individual inner world.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism.

Contradiction in Rousseau

Conflicting views on freedom and social unity.

Society shapes individuals

Rousseau's belief on societal influence over personal identity.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Influential figure in Romanticism and Sturm und Drang.

Sturm und Drang

Literary movement emphasizing emotional intensity and conflict.

Opposing forces

Goethe's view of life as dualistic.

Arthur Schopenhauer

Philosopher known for pessimism and will to live.

Pessimism

Belief that life is fundamentally negative.

Heinrich Schopenhauer

Arthur's distant father, a merchant.

Johanna Schopenhauer

Arthur's mother, an intellectual and novelist.

Intellectual salon

Gathering of intellectuals, hosted by Johanna.

Schopenhauer's education

Studied at Göttingen and Berlin universities.

Hegel's influence

Schopenhauer's rivalry with Hegel for student attention.

Family dynamics

Unhappy relationships shaped Schopenhauer's worldview.

Abandonment issues

Arthur's feelings after his father's death.

Marriage views

Schopenhauer's belief on marriage's impact on rights.

Character and intellect

Schopenhauer's view on parental influence.

Romanticism

Cultural movement emphasizing emotion and nature.

Legacy of Rousseau

Influence on social unity and individualism debates.

Goethe's influence

Shaped generations of German youth through literature.

Arthur Schopenhauer

German philosopher known for pessimistic philosophy.

The World as Will and Representation

Schopenhauer's 1818 seminal work on will and representation.

Kantian Influence

Schopenhauer believed he uniquely understood Kant's philosophy.

Buddhism

Schopenhauer praised Buddhism as superior to Christianity.

Representation

World exists as a representation to a subject.

The Will

Core of Schopenhauer's philosophy; blind, aimless force.

Human Will

Manifestation of the greater will in humans.

Will to Survive

Primary human motivation according to Schopenhauer.

Futility of Desire

Human desire is directionless and illogical.

Cycle of Needs

Life consists of continuous needs and satisfactions.

Fear of Death

People cling to life due to fear of death.

Aesthetic Experiences

Provide temporary relief from the will's servitude.

Ascetic Negation

Total rejection of the will to life for redemption.

Phenomena vs. Things-in-Themselves

Knowledge of objects is merely knowledge of phenomena.

Thing-in-Itself

Inner essence of everything identified as the will.

Platonism

Schopenhauer found agreements with ancient Platonic philosophy.

Misogyny Accusation

Schopenhauer's views on women were often conflicted.

Caroline Richter

Schopenhauer's romantic interest, a dancer from Berlin.

Cholera Epidemic

Event prompting Schopenhauer's departure from Berlin.

Negative Views on Marriage

Schopenhauer criticized marriage as degrading to individuals.

Love as Non-Accidental

Schopenhauer believed love was not a chance occurrence.

Art and Music

Means to ease suffering through aesthetic experiences.

Fulfillment in Life

Schopenhauer argued life does not lead to fulfillment.

Schopenhauer

Philosopher emphasizing will over reason.

Will

Driving force behind human motivation and reproduction.

Pessimism

Philosophical outlook acknowledging human suffering.

Atheism

Belief denying the existence of God.

Anti-rationalism

Rejection of reason as primary source of knowledge.

Freud

Psychologist influenced by Schopenhauer's ideas.

Libido

Freudian concept of sexual drive.

Unconscious mind

Part of mind influencing behavior without awareness.

Existentialism

Philosophy prioritizing individual experience and freedom.

Romanticism

Movement valuing emotion and individualism over reason.

Personal achievement

Goal of life according to existentialists.

Søren Kierkegaard

Philosopher known as father of existentialism.

Divine protest

Kierkegaard's term for his engagement cancellation.

Copenhagen

Birthplace of Søren Kierkegaard.

Tragedy

Kierkegaard's family losses influencing his philosophy.

Anxiety

Emotional state Kierkegaard struggled with throughout life.

Depression

Mental health condition affecting Kierkegaard's outlook.

Either/Or

Kierkegaard's first major philosophical work.

Intellectual vibrancy

Dynamic environment influencing Kierkegaard's early thoughts.

Existential freedom

Kierkegaard's belief in personal choice in faith.

Engagement

Kierkegaard's commitment to Regine Olsen.

Philosophical legacy

Impact of Schopenhauer on later thinkers.

Evolutionary psychology

Field influenced by Schopenhauer's ideas on behavior.

Søren Kierkegaard

Danish philosopher known for existentialism.

Regine Olsen

Kierkegaard's fiancée, influential in his writings.

Leap of Faith

Choosing to believe without objective evidence.

Divine Protest

Kierkegaard's reason for ending his engagement.

Aesthetic Stage

First stage of personal freedom, focused on excitement.

Authentic Life

Ideal life characterized by responsibility and maturity.

Fear and Trembling

Kierkegaard's work on faith and sacrifice.

Celibacy

Kierkegaard's choice to remain unmarried.