History of Nihilism to Existentialism

German Idealism

Philosophical movement emphasizing the spiritual and ideal over the material world.

Nihilism

Belief in the rejection of religious and moral principles, often resulting in a sense of despair and meaninglessness.

Existentialism

Philosophical theory emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice, leading to a sense of existential dread and responsibility.

Atheistic Existentialism

Branch of existentialism asserting that individuals create their own meaning in a world without a higher power or objective truth.

Theistic Existentialism

Branch of existentialism asserting that individuals find meaning through a higher power or divine source.

Objective Reality / Reason

The existence of external reality and the use of rational thought and logic to understand the world.

Subjective Reality / Non-Reason

The individual's personal perception and interpretation of reality, often involving emotions and intuition rather than logic.

Absurdity / Paradox

The conflict between the human desire for meaning and the inability to find any in a purposeless or irrational universe.

Immanuel Kant

Influential German philosopher known for his work on ethics, aesthetics, and metaphysics, emphasizing human reason and autonomy.

Jean-Paul Sartre

Prominent figure in existentialism, known for his emphasis on individual freedom, responsibility, and the concept of 'existence precedes essence.'

Albert Camus

French philosopher and author associated with existentialism and absurdism, exploring the human condition in a world devoid of meaning.

Soren Kierkegaard

Danish philosopher considered the 'father of existentialism,' focusing on the individual's subjective experience and the importance of personal choice and commitment.

Naturalism

Philosophical belief that all phenomena can be explained in natural terms without reference to the supernatural or spiritual.

Prime Reality

The ultimate source or foundation of reality, often conceptualized as God or the material universe.

Human Being in Naturalism

Viewed as complex machines, with personality arising from chemical and physical properties, lacking inherent meaning.

Knowledge in Naturalism

Attained through human reason and scientific methods, understanding the universe as a closed system without inherent purpose.

Death in Naturalism

Seen as the extinction of personality and individuality, leading to a belief in the meaninglessness of existence.

Right and Wrong in Naturalism

Ethics related only to human beings, with no external gauge for morality due to the absence of a higher authority.

Meaning of Human History in Naturalism

Interpreted as a linear stream of events without overarching purpose or significance, leading to a sense of absurdity and meaninglessness.

Christian Theism

Belief in a personal, holy, and transcendent God as the prime reality, shaping the nature of external reality, human beings, knowledge, death, ethics, and the meaning of human history.

Deism

Belief in a first cause God who created the universe as a determined, closed system, with limited personal interaction with human beings.

Ethics in Theistic Existentialism

Grounded in general revelation and intuition, with human nature having the capacity to discern right from wrong.

Meaning of Human History in Theistic Existentialism

Interpreted as linear, with the application of human reason to understand events, and the importance of personal faith in shaping morality and purpose.

Core Commitments in Theistic Existentialism

To use reason and science to improve the world, and to worship and enjoy God in the face of existential uncertainty.