The message of existentialism, unlike that of many more obscure and academic philosophical movements, is about as simple as can be. It is that every one of us, as an individual, is responsible—responsible for what we do, responsible for who we are, responsible for the way we face and deal with the world, responsible, ultimately, for the way the world is. It is, in a very short phrase, the philosophy of “no excuses!” Life may be difficult; circumstances may be impossible. There may be obstacles, not least of which are our own personalities, characters, emotions, and limited means or intelligence. But, nevertheless, we are responsible. We cannot shift that burden onto God, or nature, or the ways of the world. If there is a God, we choose to believe. If nature made us one way, it is up to us to decide what we are to do with what nature gives us—whether to go along or fi ght back, to modify or transcend nature. That is what existentialism is all about. We are responsible for ourselves. There are no excuses.
Existentialism is a movement, a “sensibility,” not a set of doctrines.It is not, as it is too often said, a necessarily “gloomy” philosophy. It is, rather, invigorating and positive. Nor is it necessarily atheistic - Soren Kierkegaard is a pious Christian; Nietzsche and Sartre are atheists; Sartre was a Marxist; Camus, a humanitarian; Heidegger, a Nazi.
Three themes pervade existentialism:
- A strong emphasis on the individual (although this is variously defined and understood). A lot of these writers were truly eccentric. Each of them takes individuality in a different direction.
- The central role of the passions, as opposed to the usual philosophical emphasis on reason and rationality. The emphasis instead is on a passionate commitment. For the existentialist, to live is to live passionately.
- The importance of human freedom. Existentialists are concerned with personal freedom, both political freedom and free will. This is central to Kierkegaard and Sartre, but not so obviously to Nietzsche and Heidegger. The relationship between freedom and reason is particularly at issue. Traditionally, acting “rationally” is said to be free, while acting out of emotion is considered being a “slave to one’s passions.” The existentialists suggest that we live best and are most ourselves in terms of passion. Kierkegaard’s notion of “passionate commitment” is central.
The existentialists challenge the idea that human existence is so tied up with thinking. Existentialism basically urges us to live our lives to the fullest, although what this means will take somewhat different forms.
Source credit: Professor Robert C. Solomon, The University of Texas at Austin
Existentialism is a movement, a “sensibility,” not a set of doctrines.It is not, as it is too often said, a necessarily “gloomy” philosophy. It is, rather, invigorating and positive. Nor is it necessarily atheistic - Soren Kierkegaard is a pious Christian; Nietzsche and Sartre are atheists; Sartre was a Marxist; Camus, a humanitarian; Heidegger, a Nazi.
Three themes pervade existentialism:
- A strong emphasis on the individual (although this is variously defined and understood). A lot of these writers were truly eccentric. Each of them takes individuality in a different direction.
- The central role of the passions, as opposed to the usual philosophical emphasis on reason and rationality. The emphasis instead is on a passionate commitment. For the existentialist, to live is to live passionately.
- The importance of human freedom. Existentialists are concerned with personal freedom, both political freedom and free will. This is central to Kierkegaard and Sartre, but not so obviously to Nietzsche and Heidegger. The relationship between freedom and reason is particularly at issue. Traditionally, acting “rationally” is said to be free, while acting out of emotion is considered being a “slave to one’s passions.” The existentialists suggest that we live best and are most ourselves in terms of passion. Kierkegaard’s notion of “passionate commitment” is central.
The existentialists challenge the idea that human existence is so tied up with thinking. Existentialism basically urges us to live our lives to the fullest, although what this means will take somewhat different forms.
Source credit: Professor Robert C. Solomon, The University of Texas at Austin
