Existentialism: Denouncing The Encasing System
Existentialism is defined by Pecorino as "a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice that influenced" (2000). It can be explained that existentialist at their core are looking at the human condition as a whole and evaluate it. Existentialism denounces forms of systems as they do not take into perspective the human condition or perspective.
One of the strength that can be found in existentialism it pursuit of authenticity. The rejection of systems that is explained in the video by Academy of Ideas (2012), allows for the focus of understanding life and one's purpose can be derived from human condition rather than trying to find the answer from an encompassed system of belief. It generalize the meaning the meaning of life, rather than making the individual's purpose meaningful. Looking at Sartre's well known slogan " existence precedes essence" the notion of denouncing the encasing systems becomes clear. Crowell (2016) explains how it helps define the aspect of existentialism and the idea how there is no general, informal definition on what it means to be human and that life is given meaning through existence itself. It's interesting to note how through existentialism, an individual define their own life and purpose without the means of systems such as religion. The …show more content…
ability of free-choice allows use to "chance to sculpt a unique essence for ourselves during the course of our lifetime" (Academy of Ideas, 2012).
What one can define as a weakness in existentialism is this lack of definitive definition on what existentialism is.
Going back to the previous point, while some existentialist do not agree with Sartre's stance of essence. As Roak (n.d.) explains, there seems to be a disagreement of the notion of existence. Gabriel Marcel explains how existence is "inter-subjectivity" rather than an "isolated phenomenon". Existentialism can also be mistaken as nihilism as well and while they have many similarities, there are very distinctive differences between the two perspectives, as explained by Academy of Idea's (2012) video, which can be unappealing to
people.
In conclusion, existentialism is a very complex philosophical way of thinking. Defining existentialism in on itself becomes difficult as it the very notion of existentialism denounces the notions of classification and a system of belief.
Reference:
-Crowell, S. (2016). Existentialism. In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University}
-Roak, D.M (n.d.). Introduction to Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/roark-textbook/Chapter-13.htm
-Pecorino, P. A. (2000). An Introduction to Philosophy. Queensborough: Queensborough Community College, CUNY
-[Academy of Ideas]. (2012, Nov 17). Introduction to Existentialism [Video File]. Received from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilg7PiDD8yY
One of the strength that can be found in existentialism it pursuit of authenticity. The rejection of systems that is explained in the video by Academy of Ideas (2012), allows for the focus of understanding life and one's purpose can be derived from human condition rather than trying to find the answer from an encompassed system of belief. It generalize the meaning the meaning of life, rather than making the individual's purpose meaningful. Looking at Sartre's well known slogan " existence precedes essence" the notion of denouncing the encasing systems becomes clear. Crowell (2016) explains how it helps define the aspect of existentialism and the idea how there is no general, informal definition on what it means to be human and that life is given meaning through existence itself. It's interesting to note how through existentialism, an individual define their own life and purpose without the means of systems such as religion. The …show more content…
ability of free-choice allows use to "chance to sculpt a unique essence for ourselves during the course of our lifetime" (Academy of Ideas, 2012).
What one can define as a weakness in existentialism is this lack of definitive definition on what existentialism is.
Going back to the previous point, while some existentialist do not agree with Sartre's stance of essence. As Roak (n.d.) explains, there seems to be a disagreement of the notion of existence. Gabriel Marcel explains how existence is "inter-subjectivity" rather than an "isolated phenomenon". Existentialism can also be mistaken as nihilism as well and while they have many similarities, there are very distinctive differences between the two perspectives, as explained by Academy of Idea's (2012) video, which can be unappealing to
people.
In conclusion, existentialism is a very complex philosophical way of thinking. Defining existentialism in on itself becomes difficult as it the very notion of existentialism denounces the notions of classification and a system of belief.
Reference:
-Crowell, S. (2016). Existentialism. In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University}
-Roak, D.M (n.d.). Introduction to Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/roark-textbook/Chapter-13.htm
-Pecorino, P. A. (2000). An Introduction to Philosophy. Queensborough: Queensborough Community College, CUNY
-[Academy of Ideas]. (2012, Nov 17). Introduction to Existentialism [Video File]. Received from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilg7PiDD8yY