Jean Paul Sartre Existentialism Questions to answer for

  • Slides: 14
Download presentation
Jean Paul Sartre: Existentialism Questions to answer for yourself: l What are the key

Jean Paul Sartre: Existentialism Questions to answer for yourself: l What are the key elements of Existentialism? l What would an "existential ethic" look like? l How is Sartre like and unlike Nietzsche?

Key elements of existentialism I l l l Opposition to rationalist tradition. The belief

Key elements of existentialism I l l l Opposition to rationalist tradition. The belief that Radical Freedom l is a CONDITION of human existence l Rather than a CHARACTERISTIC of human nature. [What is the difference? ] Who we are is a function of the choices we make, not the other way around. l We must commit ourselves at every moment

Key elements of existentialism II l The concept of "authenticity" defined as living according

Key elements of existentialism II l The concept of "authenticity" defined as living according to choices made consciously and responsibly. l l l There are no universal principles. [from an anti-rationalist stance] The social order is a "fabrication" that allows us to avoid our isolation. Responsibility for my choices is mine alone.

Sartre is an atheistic existentialist l l What consequences does not believing in God

Sartre is an atheistic existentialist l l What consequences does not believing in God have for the existentialist? l Existence precedes essence – we are born and then make ourselves through our choices. l As we chose for ourselves we choose for all humankind … How so? Anguish/Folornness. l The existentialist feels these because without the existence of God s/he is alone

Anguish l I am unable to escape a deep sense of responsibility. l "It

Anguish l I am unable to escape a deep sense of responsibility. l "It is always for me to decide that this is the angel's voice. " l I am not Abraham, yet I must perform exemplary acts at every moment.

Rembrandt Abraham & Isaac 1634

Rembrandt Abraham & Isaac 1634

Caravaggio, The Sacrifice of Isaac 1601 -02

Caravaggio, The Sacrifice of Isaac 1601 -02

Folornness l l l "God does not exist and we must face all the

Folornness l l l "God does not exist and we must face all the consequences. " Why does this distress the existentialist? l Because finding values in the "heaven of ideas" disappears. (see Nietzsche) If existence precedes essence , we cannot fall back on a fixed and given human nature. There are no excuses.

Man is "condemned to be free" l l Why condemned? Why free? What is

Man is "condemned to be free" l l Why condemned? Why free? What is Sartre's view of failing to act? l Hint: "man is nothing else than his plan. " What can we count on? l That which is in our power. There are no excuses outside ourselves l “Love” equals a person's being in love l “Genius” is nothing other than that expressed in works of art.

"Culture" and freedom l Some say we are determined by our culture. How does

"Culture" and freedom l Some say we are determined by our culture. How does Sartre respond? l Man is free to determine his existence in relation to the culture [culture is a condition, not a characteristic] l "There is a universality of man"; but it is not given, it is being perpetually made. " l "I build the universal in choosing myself"

Two kinds of Humanism 1. Man as an end a higher value: l Value

Two kinds of Humanism 1. Man as an end a higher value: l Value is assigned in relation to the best that certain men have done. Sartre’s Critique: man isn't an "end", because he is "always in the making" 2. Man as losing himself outside of himself. Pursuing goals outside himself. l Sartre believes that existentialism is optimistic: a doctrine of action. l

Man is not a "thing" l l Even the worst conditions do not render

Man is not a "thing" l l Even the worst conditions do not render a man inhuman. l Everything that happens to me is mine l To decide to be non-human is still MY decision. . (Frankl - concentration camp) Example of war: l If I am mobilized for war, it is MY war. l "For lack of getting out of it, I have chosen it. "

An example l l A young man in France during WWII is faced with

An example l l A young man in France during WWII is faced with the choice of going to war or staying with his grandmother who needs him. He decides to go talk with a priest, hoping the priest will make the choice for him. What does Sartre say ? l He has already made his choice by going to the priest rather than a military official.