Freedom

Existentialism

A philosophical movement that emerged in the 20th century focusing on the individual’s subjective experience and existence, emphasizing the freedom, responsibility and meaning of human life. Existentialism rejects the idea that there is any predetermined or essential meaning to human life, instead, it asserts that individuals must create their own earnings and values through their choices and actions. 

Connected philosophers

• Søren Kierkegaard

• Friedrich Nietzsche

• Jean-Paul Sartre

• Albert Camus

Camus and Existentialism: Albert Camus, a French philosopher and writer, is often associated with existentialism due to his exploration of themes like the absurdity of life, the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe, and the importance of individual freedom and responsibility.

Sartre's Relation to Existentialism: Jean-Paul Sartre is a key figure in existentialism. His philosophy emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, and the idea that existence precedes essence. Sartre's work, such as "Being and Nothingness," explores themes of authenticity, choice, and the absurdity of human existence.

Nihilism

Derived from the Latin word “nihil” which means nothing, nihilism rejects the existence of any inherent or universal meaning in the world and denies the existence of objective moral or value systems. 

Most notably associated with the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, in which he argued that traditional moral and religious frameworks had lost their credibility, leaving a void in the understanding of existence. This void can either lead to the creation of new values but also to a state of meaninglessness  

Active Nihilism 

The proactive engagement with the recognition of the absence of objective meaning involves an intended rejection of traditional beliefs and values as there is also the desire to create new values or systems of meaning. This encourages individuals to take responsibility for constructing their values due to the recognition of the lack of inherent meaning. 

Passive Nihilism
The more resigned, apathetic response to the absence of meaning, involves a sense of disengagement or acceptance of the meaninglessness of existence without actively seeking alternatives. Sometimes believers would engage in pleasure-seeking or immediate gratification without concern for long-term consequences. 

Similarities and differences in Existentialism and Nihilism 

Similarities: 

1. Both reject the notion of objective, predetermined meaning or purpose in life. Challenging the idea that there is a universal, inherent meaning to human existence. 

2. Emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and personal responsibility. They recognise the significance of individual agency in shaping one’s life and values. 

3. Both acknowledge the existential angst or anxiety that arises from teh recognition of the absence of objective meaning, exploring the dilemmas faced by individuals in confronting the potential meaninglessness of existence. 

Differences: 

1. The attitude towards meaning and value, existentialism seeks to find subjective meaning in the face of the absence of objective meaning, emphasizing the capacity to shape their own life and values through authentic choices. While nihilism generally asserts that life is meaningless, denying the existence of any objective meaning. 

2. Existentialism promotes the idea of personal authenticity and the pursuit of values that align with one’s true self by addressing moral and ethical questions. Nihilism can lead to moral scepticism or relativism as it denies the existence of objective moral values and questions the validity of ethical systems. 

3. Existentialism generally has a more positive outlook on life due to the emphasis on the possibilities of personal growth. In contrast, nihilism can be sen as more pessimistic. 

Modernism: A broad cultural and intellectual movement that emerged as a response to the social, political, technological and artistic changes of the time, encompassing fields including literature, visual arts, architecture, music and philosophy. Some key features are innovation, rejection of realism, the influence of science and technology and its global reach. 

Relativism: A philosophical position that asserts that truth, knowledge, morality or values are not absolute or universal but instead are relative to individuals, cultures, historical contexts or subjective perspectives. 

The forms of relativism include: 

• Epistemological Relativism: holds that knowledge or truth is relative to individuals or social groups. Asserts that there is no objective or universally valid knowledge but that knowledge is shaped by subjective experiences 

• Moral relativism: Argues that moral judgement or ethical principles are relative to individuals, cultures or societies. 

• Cultural relativism: Cultural relativism maintains that cultural practices, customs, or values should be understood within their cultural context and not judged by external standards. 

Both of these ideas were significantly influenced by Nietzsche, although he never explicitly referred to them in his theories, his ideas contributed to the development of these philosophical movements. 

1. Relativism: Nietzsche criticised traditional metaphysics, morality and religious beliefs, arguing that they were based on subjective human interpretations rather than inherent truths.  Nietzche’s perspectivism suggests that knowledge and truth are shaped by individual perspectives, historical contexts and cultural influences. Aligning with the ideas of epistemological and moral relativism. 

2. Modernism: Nietzsche’s rejection of traditional and his call for the creation of new values beyond establishing norms resonates with the spirit of experimentation, innovation which characterised the modernist movement. His concept of “will to power” and his critique of traditional morality and religious beliefs challenged the prevailing social and cultural institutions at the time, which aligns with the modernist impulse to question and transform established systems. 

The story of the madman is a famous passage of Nietzsche’s book “The Gay Science” the story follows: 

• A madman enters a marketplace claiming that he is searching for god. 

• The people in the marketplace were described as atheists, mocked and ridiculed the madman and told him that God is dead and they have killed him. Bewildering the madman with this information. 

• The madman then goes into a monologue, expressing the consequences of the death of God, that humanity will lose its source of meaning, value and moral order. And will result into a widespread of nihilism, despair and moral chaos.  

This story of the madman illustrates Nietzsche’s thesis by showing how the death of God challenges traditional beleiefs and moral systems, leaving individuals to grapple with the search of meaning in a world that lacks objective guidance.

Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist who is best known for developing the gene-centered view of evolution, which revolutionized our understanding of how genes drive the process of natural selection. In addition to his scientific work, Dawkins is also a prominent advocate for atheism, often engaging in debates and discussions on the topic. His books, such as "The Selfish Gene" and "The God Delusion," have sparked widespread interest and controversy, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the intersection of science and religion. Dawkins' eloquent writing style and passionate defense of rational thinking have earned him a large following of both supporters and critics alike.

What is naturalism?

The Belief that nature is all that exists and therefore spiritual elements such as ghosts and gods don’t exist.