EXISTENTIALISM. Religion vs. Philosophy Religion Religion –Can be philosophical but doesn’t need...

EXISTENTIALISMEXISTENTIALISM

Religion vs. PhilosophyReligion vs. Philosophy

• ReligionReligion– Can be philosophical but doesn’t need to beCan be philosophical but doesn’t need to be– Has rituals/ceremoniesHas rituals/ceremonies– Makes use of reason (sometimes), but relies Makes use of reason (sometimes), but relies

mostly or entirely on faithmostly or entirely on faith– Based on faith in God, gods, or religious Based on faith in God, gods, or religious

principlesprinciples– Often includes miracles or miraculous Often includes miracles or miraculous

eventsevents


• PhilosophyPhilosophy– Can be religious but does not need to beCan be religious but does not need to be– No ritualsNo rituals– Emphasizes the use of reason and Emphasizes the use of reason and

critical thinkingcritical thinking– Based on rational argumentsBased on rational arguments– No miraclesNo miracles


• Common GroundCommon Ground– Both wrestle with problems like:Both wrestle with problems like:

•What is good?What is good?

•What does it mean to live a good life?What does it mean to live a good life?

•What is the nature of reality?What is the nature of reality?

•Why are we here and what should we be Why are we here and what should we be doing?doing?

•How should we treat each other?How should we treat each other?

•What is really most important in life?What is really most important in life?

World War IIWorld War II

Germany started World War II by Germany started World War II by invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939

Britain and France responded by Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany – Sept. 3declaring war on Germany – Sept. 3

Within a month, Poland was defeated Within a month, Poland was defeated and divided between Germany and and divided between Germany and RussiaRussia

Germany then invaded Norway and Germany then invaded Norway and DenmarkDenmark


May 10, 1940 – Germany began its assault May 10, 1940 – Germany began its assault on western Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, on western Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France)Luxembourg, and France)

Germany attacked France from the north – Germany attacked France from the north – Italy attacked from the south – Germans Italy attacked from the south – Germans closed in on Parisclosed in on Paris

June 17, 1940 – Marshal Henri Petain June 17, 1940 – Marshal Henri Petain (French military commander) told his (French military commander) told his country “we must stop fighting”country “we must stop fighting”


Four days later, Hitler handed French Four days later, Hitler handed French officers his terms of surrender – Germans officers his terms of surrender – Germans would occupy the northern part of France, would occupy the northern part of France, and a Nazi-controlled puppet government and a Nazi-controlled puppet government would be set up at Vichy in southern would be set up at Vichy in southern FranceFrance

Dec. 11, 1941 – U.S. declared war on Italy Dec. 11, 1941 – U.S. declared war on Italy and Germanyand Germany

In late 1942, Germany took over all of In late 1942, Germany took over all of FranceFrance

Europe – 1942 Europe – 1942


May 7, 1945 – Germany signs May 7, 1945 – Germany signs unconditional surrenderunconditional surrender

Sept. 2, 1945 – Japan signs Sept. 2, 1945 – Japan signs unconditional surrenderunconditional surrender

During World War II, French people During World War II, French people were under control of the Nazis and were under control of the Nazis and feared that they had lost their feared that they had lost their country and their heritage forever.country and their heritage forever.

Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre

Nobel Prize for literature in 1964Nobel Prize for literature in 1964

““for his work which, rich in ideas and for his work which, rich in ideas and filled with the spirit of freedom, and filled with the spirit of freedom, and

the quest for truth, has exerted a far-the quest for truth, has exerted a far-reaching influence on our age”reaching influence on our age”

BiographyBiography

Born in Paris – June 21, 1905Born in Paris – June 21, 1905Grew up in the home of his maternal Grew up in the home of his maternal

grandfathergrandfatherEducated in ParisEducated in Paris Inducted into the French military following Inducted into the French military following

the outbreak of European war in 1939 the outbreak of European war in 1939 (World War II)(World War II)

BiographyBiography

Captured in June, 1940 and imprisoned Captured in June, 1940 and imprisoned into 1941 by the Germansinto 1941 by the Germans

Germans released him on the grounds Germans released him on the grounds that he was not physically fit for military that he was not physically fit for military serviceservice

Taught philosophyTaught philosophyActive in the French ResistanceActive in the French ResistanceDeveloped existentialism (a philosophy) Developed existentialism (a philosophy)

during Nazi occupation of Franceduring Nazi occupation of France

BiographyBiography

Existentialism gained a large followingExistentialism gained a large followingSartre gave up teaching in 1945 and Sartre gave up teaching in 1945 and

founded a political and literary magazinefounded a political and literary magazineExistentialism maintained an enormous Existentialism maintained an enormous

following even after World War IIfollowing even after World War IIAfter World War II, Sartre moved away After World War II, Sartre moved away

from existentialism and became more from existentialism and became more involved with Marxisminvolved with Marxism

BiographyBiography

Rejected the 1964 Nobel Prize in Rejected the 1964 Nobel Prize in literature, explaining that to accept such literature, explaining that to accept such an award would compromise his integrity an award would compromise his integrity as a writeras a writer

Died April 15, 1980Died April 15, 1980More than 25,000 people lined the streets of More than 25,000 people lined the streets of

Paris for his funeral processionParis for his funeral procession

ExistentialismExistentialism

A philosophy developed by Sartre during the Nazi A philosophy developed by Sartre during the Nazi occupation of Franceoccupation of FranceThe philosophy makes sense in the time frameThe philosophy makes sense in the time frame– Consider the lack of freedom in FranceConsider the lack of freedom in France– Think about how the French felt, thinking their freedom and Think about how the French felt, thinking their freedom and

heritage had been taken foreverheritage had been taken forever– They had a feeling of hopelessnessThey had a feeling of hopelessness– Existentialism gained popularity because it gave the people a Existentialism gained popularity because it gave the people a

feeling of power over their lives and their worldfeeling of power over their lives and their world– Existentialism also gave people a feeling of individuality against Existentialism also gave people a feeling of individuality against

the conformity of Nazism the conformity of Nazism – The Nazi occupation could also explain Sartre’s atheism – how The Nazi occupation could also explain Sartre’s atheism – how

could God allow this to happen?could God allow this to happen?

The Principles of ExistentialismThe Principles of Existentialism

Existence Precedes EssenceExistence Precedes Essence– The prevailing philosophical view of human The prevailing philosophical view of human

beings is that they have a “nature” or beings is that they have a “nature” or “essence from birth”“essence from birth”

Christianity – we are created by God for a reasonChristianity – we are created by God for a reason

Sartre himself denies the existence of God, and Sartre himself denies the existence of God, and believes there is no human essence (no reason for believes there is no human essence (no reason for being)being)

– Sartre argues, however, that there are also Christian Sartre argues, however, that there are also Christian existentialistsexistentialists


Existence Precedes Essence (cont.)Existence Precedes Essence (cont.)– First we exist, then we create ourselves through our First we exist, then we create ourselves through our

actions and decisionsactions and decisions– We are nothing more than a collection of acts that We are nothing more than a collection of acts that

make up our livesmake up our lives– When a paper cutter is made, it is made with a When a paper cutter is made, it is made with a

purpose – the person who makes it knows that it is a purpose – the person who makes it knows that it is a paper cutter and that will be its functionpaper cutter and that will be its function

– Humans are not made like this – there is no reason Humans are not made like this – there is no reason for our existence – we are not made for a specific for our existence – we are not made for a specific reason or purposereason or purpose


Existence Precedes Essence (cont.)Existence Precedes Essence (cont.)– There is no meaning for our existenceThere is no meaning for our existence– But we do existBut we do exist

This is absurdThis is absurd

– Man is thrown into a meaningless world Man is thrown into a meaningless world without his permissionwithout his permission

– My essence, the person I am now, is the My essence, the person I am now, is the product of the free choices I have made in the product of the free choices I have made in the course of my life so farcourse of my life so far


Existence Precedes Essence (cont.)Existence Precedes Essence (cont.)

I am I am NOTNOT who I was in the who I was in the pastpast

I am I am NOTNOT who I will be in the who I will be in the futurefuture

Every decision I make Every decision I make changes who I amchanges who I am


ConsciousnessConsciousness– Consciousness always refers beyond itself to Consciousness always refers beyond itself to

an objectan object

““Unreflected consciousness” – Unreflected consciousness” – consciousness consciousness before it is reflected on/thought aboutbefore it is reflected on/thought about

– No “I”No “I”– Running to catch a bus – unreflected Running to catch a bus – unreflected

consciousness – “bus-to-be-caught”consciousness – “bus-to-be-caught”


Consciousness (cont.)Consciousness (cont.)– ““Reflective consciousness” – when you Reflective consciousness” – when you

actually think about/reflect on somethingactually think about/reflect on somethingYou understand your relationship to somethingYou understand your relationship to something

This is where the “I” is foundThis is where the “I” is found

Once you missed the bus – “I missed the bus; I’m Once you missed the bus – “I missed the bus; I’m going to be late for school”going to be late for school”

Focus is internalizedFocus is internalized

Suddenly consciousness is self-directed and self-Suddenly consciousness is self-directed and self-aware, not just observing outwardlyaware, not just observing outwardly


I Create MyselfI Create Myself– My “self” is not a stable, solid entity – it is a My “self” is not a stable, solid entity – it is a

creation that I must make and remake from creation that I must make and remake from moment to momentmoment to moment

– Every decision I make or do not make creates Every decision I make or do not make creates me (it makes me who I am)me (it makes me who I am)


I Create Myself (cont.)I Create Myself (cont.)– I must also create my worldI must also create my world– In choosing for myself, I am also choosing for In choosing for myself, I am also choosing for

the worldthe world– Every time I make a decision, I am putting Every time I make a decision, I am putting

values into the worldvalues into the world– If I choose to cheat on a test, then I am saying If I choose to cheat on a test, then I am saying

it is ok to cheat. I am putting that value into it is ok to cheat. I am putting that value into the worldthe world


I Create Myself (cont.)I Create Myself (cont.)– If I choose to get married and have children, If I choose to get married and have children,

then I am choosing the value of monogamy then I am choosing the value of monogamy for the worldfor the world

– I am not only responsible for myself, I am I am not only responsible for myself, I am responsible for the worldresponsible for the world

– Every time I make a decision, I must think Every time I make a decision, I must think “What would happen if everyone looked at “What would happen if everyone looked at things this way?”things this way?”


Condemned to be FreeCondemned to be Free– We are freeWe are free– Freedom is not absolute – if a boulder falls in Freedom is not absolute – if a boulder falls in

my way, I cannot change the fact that it is my way, I cannot change the fact that it is there and I cannot get through it, but I am free there and I cannot get through it, but I am free to interpret the meaning of the boulderto interpret the meaning of the boulder

It may mean an obstacle to be conqueredIt may mean an obstacle to be conquered

It may mean that I cannot reach my goal of getting It may mean that I cannot reach my goal of getting to the top of the mountainto the top of the mountain


Condemned to be Free (cont.)Condemned to be Free (cont.)– We are always making decisions and creating We are always making decisions and creating

ourselves and our worldourselves and our worldEven choosing not to decide is a decisionEven choosing not to decide is a decision

– We are always free because there are always We are always free because there are always alternative choices – the ultimate alternative is alternative choices – the ultimate alternative is death – If I do not shoot myself, then I have death – If I do not shoot myself, then I have chosen whatever is the alternative to deathchosen whatever is the alternative to death

– We are We are condemned to be freecondemned to be free – we cannot – we cannot escape this freedom as long as we are aliveescape this freedom as long as we are alive


Condemned to be Free (cont.)Condemned to be Free (cont.)– ““If God doesn’t exist, everything would be If God doesn’t exist, everything would be

possible” –Fyodor Dostoevskypossible” –Fyodor Dostoevsky– This is trueThis is true– Because there is no God, there are no Because there is no God, there are no

excusesexcuses– There are no values except those that we There are no values except those that we

createcreate

The Principles of Existentialism The Principles of Existentialism

Bad Faith vs. Good FaithBad Faith vs. Good Faith– Most people create themselves and their Most people create themselves and their

world in “bad faith”world in “bad faith”Rather than facing up to their responsibility and Rather than facing up to their responsibility and freedom, they flee from it by blaming others or fatefreedom, they flee from it by blaming others or fate

– We should act in “good faith”We should act in “good faith”We should accept responsibility for our actions We should accept responsibility for our actions without blaming other thingswithout blaming other things


Bad Faith vs. Good FaithBad Faith vs. Good Faith– ExamplesExamples

I didn’t do well on that test because the teacher doesn’t like I didn’t do well on that test because the teacher doesn’t like me and we didn’t go over the homework enough – BAD me and we didn’t go over the homework enough – BAD FAITHFAITH

I didn’t do well on that test because I didn’t study or ask for I didn’t do well on that test because I didn’t study or ask for help – GOOD FAITHhelp – GOOD FAITH

I am never going to be successful because I come from a I am never going to be successful because I come from a poor family and my parents don’t care about me – BAD poor family and my parents don’t care about me – BAD FAITHFAITH

I can be successful if I make choices that lead me in the I can be successful if I make choices that lead me in the direction I choose – GOOD FAITHdirection I choose – GOOD FAITH


The GazeThe Gaze– The main complication in all of this is that we The main complication in all of this is that we

must encounter other beingsmust encounter other beingsWhen someone else looks at me, I become the When someone else looks at me, I become the object of his gazeobject of his gaze

I am transformed into objectI am transformed into object

This is not a good feeling because we have no This is not a good feeling because we have no control over itcontrol over it

““Hell is other people” – SartreHell is other people” – Sartre


The GazeThe Gaze– Imagine that you are looking through a key Imagine that you are looking through a key

hole into someone else’s house. You are hole into someone else’s house. You are spying on them. spying on them.

– The people you are looking at are purely The people you are looking at are purely object. You are watching them and seeing object. You are watching them and seeing what they are doing. They do not know you what they are doing. They do not know you are there.are there.


The Gaze (cont.)The Gaze (cont.)– As you are watching them, you become aware As you are watching them, you become aware

that someone is behind you – someone has that someone is behind you – someone has caught you peeping. caught you peeping.

– You have now become the object to that You have now become the object to that person.person.

– You have become the “other” – you are now You have become the “other” – you are now an object to someone else.an object to someone else.

– You now see yourself as object – as the other You now see yourself as object – as the other person sees you.person sees you.

Criticism of ExistentialismCriticism of Existentialism

It is pessimisticIt is pessimistic– Sartre denied this, saying that we are all heroes in Sartre denied this, saying that we are all heroes in

existentialism because we persevereexistentialism because we persevere

Sartre ignores the lower classesSartre ignores the lower classes– It is difficult to focus on the issues of existentialism It is difficult to focus on the issues of existentialism

when you are worried about feeding your children and when you are worried about feeding your children and having a place to livehaving a place to live

Sartre does not mention or deal with politics or Sartre does not mention or deal with politics or government government – These two reasons may explain why Sartre later These two reasons may explain why Sartre later

became a Marxist (Marxism focuses on these two became a Marxist (Marxism focuses on these two issues)issues)

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