Essentialism and Existentialism

Essentialism vs. Existentialism

Introduction

• People seek meaning in life through various avenues, such as religion, social justice, education, or artistic expression.

• Existentialists argue that while these things can provide meaning, they ultimately cannot.

The Dialectic

• Philosophy involves a dialectic, where ideas are presented and responded to.

Essentialism

• Plato and Aristotle believed that everything has an essence – core properties that define a thing.

• A knife's blade is its essential property because it defines its function.

• Essentialism posits that humans also have essences that exist before birth.

• Living a good human life involves adhering to one's essence, which gives life purpose.

• Essentialism was the standard view until the late 19th century and remains prevalent today.

Existentialism

• Friedrich Nietzsche embraced nihilism, believing in life's ultimate meaninglessness.

• Jean-Paul Sartre challenged the idea of pre-determined essence, proposing that "existence precedes essence."

• Individuals must determine their own essence through their choices and actions, as there is no pre-set path.

Radical Idea

• The idea that individuals must choose their own path was radical because, for millennia, purpose was often dictated by religion.

• Existentialism is not synonymous with atheism; some existentialists are theists (e.g., Kierkegaard).

• Theistic existentialists reject teleology – the idea that God created the universe with a specific purpose.

• God may exist, but instilling meaning isn't part of his role.

The Absurd

• Existentialism posits that individuals are born into a universe lacking inherent importance.

• "The absurd" is a technical term in existentialism, describing the search for answers in an answerless world.

• Humans need meaning but are abandoned in a meaningless universe.

Lack of Teleology

• The world was not created for a reason and lacks inherent absolutes.

• There is no cosmic justice, fairness, order, or rules.

• Existentialism gained prominence after World War II, as the horrors of the Holocaust led many to abandon the belief in an ordered world.

Freedom

• Sartre explored the agonizing aspect of existentialism: the abundance of freedom.

• Without guidelines, individuals must design their own moral code.

• We are "condemned to be free."

• Authorities like parents, church, or government are just people without answers.

Authenticity and Bad Faith

• Living authentically means accepting the full weight of freedom in light of the absurd.

• Meaning in life is given by the individual.

• Bad faith involves following a path set by others, refusing to accept the absurd.

Flash Philosophy: Sartre's Student

• Sartre used an anecdote about a student who had to choose between joining the military (to fight for a cause) and staying with his elderly mother.

• The student felt a duty to both, but could only choose one.

• No one could provide an answer; the man had to choose for himself.

• No moral theory could dictate an authentic decision.

• The choice is determined by the values one chooses to accept.

Meaning

• Albert Camus stated that the literal meaning of life is whatever prevents one from committing suicide.

• Existentialists argue that the world and life can have meaning, but only if individuals choose to assign it.

• One can imbue the world with whatever purpose they want.

Individual and Global Scale

• No one can dictate whether a life is worthwhile based on external standards.

• Justice and order must be created by individuals.

• Existentialism can be seen as either bleak or exhilarating.

Conclusion

• Exploration of essentialism and its response, existentialism.

• Discussion of Jean-Paul Sartre's ideas on finding meaning in a meaningless world.

SEP:

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/