Existentialism

Transition from Ancient Philosophy to Existentialism
- Skips over 400 years of philosophical developments.
- Major leaps between ancient philosophers, Aquinas, and modern thinkers.
- Emergence of existentialism as a philosophical movement.

Clichéd Nature of Existentialist Ideas
- Existentialist ideas have infiltrated popular culture, making them seem clichéd today.
- Influential thinkers like Sartre introduced concepts that challenge conventional views of human existence.
Central Questions of Existentialism
- What is the purpose of human life?
- What does it mean to be human?
- These questions are commonly explored in contemporary philosophy, particularly among existentialists and postmodern thinkers.

Postmodernism Defined
- Postmodernism is characterized as a reaction against modernist philosophers.
- Rejects universal truths and emphasizes subjective interpretations of existence.
Sartre’s Rejection of Universal Truths
- Claims no universal truths exist; truth is subjective and individualized.
- Existentialism focuses on freedom, choice, and human autonomy.

Existence Precedes Essence
- Contrary to the idea that "essence precedes existence" (common prior to existentialism).
- Essence preceding existence suggests individuals must discover pre-existing truths about the world.
- Sartre’s view: people come into existence first and then define their own essence.
- This is a radical shift indicating that each person is responsible for determining their identity and values.
Human Essence According to Sartre
- Denies a universal human essence shared among all people.
- Argues that individuals must create their own essence and value.
- This perspective leads to individual responsibility in forming one's purpose and meaning in life.

Sartre’s Defiance Against Traditional Philosophers
- Philosophers like Plato believed in a search for objective truths; Sartre flips this notion.
- "Know thyself" (an ancient maxim) interpreted differently, focusing on personal awareness rather than self-exploration.
On Freedom and Choice
- Emphasizes that happiness and value must be created individually; they are not inherent.
- Each individual must bear the burden of freedom and the responsibility of choice.
- People need to embrace personal freedom, not constrained by societal norms.

Absurdity of Existence
- The world lacks inherent meaning or order.
- Sartre suggests recognizing the absurdity of existence is essential to living authentically.
- One must grapple with the irrational nature of life and the burden of creating one's own meaning.
Burden of Freedom
- Freedom can overwhelm individuals, leading to anxiety about choice (termed 'existential crisis').
- With radical freedom comes responsibility; individuals must choose what is meaningful.
Concept of Bad Faith
- Bad faith refers to the self-deception involved in adhering to societal norms and expectations.
- Obligations and feelings that arise from societal pressures indicate living in bad faith.
- Authentic living involves rejecting imposed identities and fully accepting personal desires.
Authenticity vs. False Self
- Distinctions between the true self (core self) and false self (societal expectations).
- Being authentic means staying true to one's desires rather than being shaped by external influences.

Definition and Origins
- Sartre coined the term 'existential crisis' to describe the anxiety arising from radical freedom.
- Individuals can feel overwhelmed by possibilities, leading to indecision.
- Contemporary parallels include mundane choices (e.g., choosing from many ice cream flavors) symbolizing larger existential dilemmas.

Sartre’s Assertion on Meaning in Life
- Life does not possess inherent meaning; individuals are tasked with creating their own.
- Life is an art form where each person shapes their narrative through choices.
Critique of Humanism
- Sartre positions his philosophy against the idea of universal humanism, arguing humanity does not have inherent value.
- He challenges the traditional foundation of human rights as based on the belief in universal human essence.
Influences and Applications
- Contemporary applications of existentialist thought can be seen in literature, art, and personal identity discussions.
- The influences of existentialism persist in modern philosophical discourse.

Sartre encourages exploration of one’s autonomy and decisions as expressions of personal freedom, thus framing existentialism not as nihilistic but as a pathway to individual meaning-making and authenticity in a world devoid of objective truths.