Georg Lukács on Existentialism

8/12/2019 Georg Lukcs on Existentialism

1/24


2/24

s all !his a &assing fa(2&erha&s one /hi'h may las! a fe/

years< =r is i! really an e&o'h2ma0ing ne/ &hiloso&hy< %he

ans/er (e&en(s on ho/ a''ura!ely !he ne/ &hiloso&hy refle'!s

reali!y, an( ho/ a(eua!ely i! (eals /i!h !he 'ru'ial human

ues!ion /i!h /hi'h !he age is fa'e(.

n e&o'h2ma0ing &hiloso&hy has ne*er ye! arisen /i!hou! a

really original me!ho(. %his /as so for all !he grea!

&hiloso&hers of !he &as!, Pla!o an( ris!o!le, Des'ar!es an(

&ino>a, ?an! an( Hegel. 6ha! is !he originali!y of

eis!en!ialism)s me!ho(< %he ues!ion is no! se!!le( by

referring !o !he fa'! !ha! eis!en!ialism is an offshoo! of

Husserl)s &hiloso&hy. ! is im&or!an! !o no!e !ha! mo(ern&henomenology is one of !he numerous &hiloso&hi'al me!ho(s

/hi'h see0 !o rise abo*e bo!h i(ealism an( ma!erialism by

(is'o*ering a &hiloso&hi'al @!hir( /ay,A by ma0ing in!ui!ion

!he !rue sour'e of 0no/le(ge. From Bie!>s'he !hrough Ma'h

an( *enarius !o ergson an( beyon(, !he mass of bourgeois

&hiloso&hy goes !his /ay. Husserl)s in!ui!ion of essen'e

$esenssc%au is bu! one s!ran( of !he (e*elo&men!.

%his /oul( no! in i!self be a (e'isi*e argumen! agains! !he

&henomenologi'al me!ho(. f /e are !o arri*e a! a 'orre'!

u(gmen!, /e mus! firs! un(ers!an( !he &hiloso&hi'al an(

!o&i'al signifi'an'e of !he @!hir( /ay,A as /ell as !he &la'e an(

fun'!ion of in!ui!ion in !he 0no/ing &ro'ess.

s !here any room for a @!hir( /ayA besi(es i(ealism an(

ma!erialism< f /e 'onsi(er !his ues!ion seriously, as !he grea!

&hiloso&hers of !he &as! (i(, an( no! /i!h fashionable &hrases,!here 'an be only one ans/er, @Bo.A For /hen /e loo0 a! !he

rela!ions /hi'h 'an eis! be!/een being an( 'ons'iousness /e

see 'learly !ha! only !/o &osi!ions are &ossible: ei!her being is

&rimary ma!erialism, or 'ons'iousness is &rimary i(ealism.

=r, !o &u! i! ano!her /ay, !he fun(amen!al &rin'i&le of

ma!erialism is !he in(e&en(en'e of being from 'ons'iousness;

of i(ealism, !he (e&en(en'e of being on 'ons'iousness. %he

fashionable &hiloso&hers of !o(ay es!ablish a 'orrela!ionbe!/een being an( 'ons'iousness as a basis for !heir @!hir(


3/24

/ayA: !here is no being /i!hou! 'ons'iousness an( no

'ons'iousness /i!hou! being. u! !he firs! asser!ion &ro(u'es

only a *arian! of i(ealism: !he a'0no/le(gmen! of !he

(e&en(en'e of being on 'ons'iousness.

! /as !he grim reali!y of !he im&erialis! &erio( !ha! for'e(

!he &hiloso&hi'al @!hir( /ayA on bourgeois !hin0ing: for only

in be'alme(, un!rouble( !imes 'an men hol( !hemsel*es !o be

!horough2going i(ealis!s. 6hen some s!u(en!s bro0e Fi'h!e)s

/in(o/s o*er a 'ollege uarrel oe!he sai(, smiling: @%his is

a *ery (isagreeable /ay !o !a0e 'ogni>an'e of !he reali!y of !he

e!ernal /orl(.A %he im&erialis! e&o'h ga*e us su'h /in(o/2

brea0ing on a /orl(2/i(e s'ale. Do/nrigh! &hiloso&hi'ali(ealism gen!ly fa(e( ou!. &ar! from some minor &rofessorial

&hiloso&hers, anyone /ho (e'lares himself an i(ealis! !o(ay

feels ho&eless abou! a&&lying his &hiloso&hy !o reali!y Ealery,

en(a, e!'..

%he aban(onmen! of !he ol( (o/nrigh! i(ealism ha( been

an!i'i&a!e( e*en in !he mi((le of !he las! 'en!ury by &e!!y2

bourgeois as'e!i'ism. *er sin'e Bie!>s'he, !he bo(y Leib

has &laye( a lea(ing role in bourgeois &hiloso&hy. %he ne/

&hiloso&hy nee(s formulas /hi'h re'ogni>e !he &rimary reali!y

of !he bo(y an( !he oys an( (angers of bo(ily eis!en'e,

/i!hou!, ho/e*er, ma0ing any 'on'essions !o ma!erialism. For

a! !he same !ime ma!erialism /as be'oming !he /orl(*ie/ of

!he re*olu!ionary &role!aria!. %ha! ma(e a &osi!ion su'h as

assen(i an( Hobbes loo0 im&ossible for bourgeois !hin0ers.

l!hough !he me!ho( of i(ealism ha( been (is're(i!e( by !he

reali!ies of !he !ime, i!s 'on'lusions /ere hel( in(is&ensable.%his e&lains !he nee( for !he @!hir( /ayA in !he bourgeois

/orl( of !he im&erialis! &erio(.

%he &henomenologi'al me!ho(, es&e'ially af!er Husserl,

belie*es i! has (is'o*ere( a /ay of 0no/ing /hi'h ehibi!s !he

essen'e of obe'!i*e reali!y /i!hou! going beyon( !he human

or e*en !he in(i*i(ual 'ons'iousness. %he in!ui!ion of essen'e

is a sor! of in!ui!i*e in!ros&e'!ion, bu! is no! &sy'hologi'allyorien!e(. ! inuires ra!her /ha! sor! of obe'!s !he !hough!


4/24

&ro'ess &osi!s, an( /ha! 0in( of in!en!ional a'!s are in*ol*e(.

! /as s!ill rela!i*ely easy for Husserl !o o&era!e /i!h !hese

'on'e&!s, be'ause he /as 'on'erne( e'lusi*ely /i!h

ues!ions of &ure logi', i.e., &ure a'!s an( obe'!s of !hough!.

%he ues!ion be'ame more 'om&le as 'heler !oo0 u&

&roblems of e!hi's an( so'iology, an( Hei(egger an( ar!re

broa'he( !he ul!ima!e ues!ions of &hiloso&hy. %he nee( of !he

!imes /hi'h (ro*e !hem in !his (ire'!ion /as so 'om&elling

!ha! i! silen'e( all gnosiologi'al (oub!s as !o /he!her !he

me!ho( /as a(eua!e !o obe'!i*e reali!y.

*en /hen !he &henomenologis!s (eal! /i!h 'ru'ial

ues!ions of so'ial a'!uali!y, !hey &u! off !he !heory of0no/le(ge an( asser!e( !ha! !he &henomenologi'al me!ho(

sus&en(s or @bra'0e!sA !he ues!ion /he!her !he in!en!ional

obe'!s are real. %he me!ho( /as !hus free( from any

0no/le(ge of reali!y. =n'e (uring !he Firs! 6orl( 6ar 'heler

*isi!e( me in Hei(elberg, an( /e ha( an informing

'on*ersa!ion on !his sube'!. 'heler main!aine( !ha!

&henomenology /as a uni*ersal me!ho( /hi'h 'oul( ha*e

any!hing for i!s in!en!ional obe'!. For eam&le, he e&laine(,&henomenologi'al resear'hes 'oul( be ma(e abou! !he (e*il;

only !he ues!ion of !he (e*il)s reali!y /oul( firs! ha*e !o be

@bra'0e!e(.A @Cer!ainly,A ans/ere(. @an( /hen /hen you are

finishe( /i!h !he &henomenologi'al &i'!ure of !he (e*il, you

o&en !he bra'0e!s - an( !he (e*il in &erson is s!an(ing before

you.A 'heler laughe(, shrugge( his shoul(ers, an( ma(e no

re&ly.

%he arbi!rariness of !he me!ho( is seen es&e'ially /hen !heues!ion is raise(: s /ha! &henomenologi'al in!ui!ion fin(s

a'!ually real< 6ha! righ! (oes !ha! in!ui!ion ha*e !o s&ea0 of

!he reali!y of i!s obe'!< For Dil!hey)s in!ui!ion, !he

'olorfulness an( !he uniueness of his!ori'al si!ua!ions are !he

reali!y; for ergson)s, i! is !he flo/ i!self, !he (ura!ion dure,

!ha! (issol*es !he &e!rifie( forms of or(inary life; /hile for

Husserl)s, !he a'!s in /hi'h in(i*i(ual obe'!s are mean!

'ons!i!u!e @reali!yA - obe'!s /hi'h he !rea!s as isola!e( uni!s,


5/24

/i!h har( 'on!ours li0e s!a!uary. l!hough mu!ually e'lusi*e,

!hese in!ui!ions /ere able !o (/ell !oge!her in rela!i*e &ea'e.

%hese in!er&re!a!ions of reali!y s!em from fa'!ors e*en more

'on're!e !han !he so'ial nee( for a @!hir( /ay.A ! is a general!en(en'y of !he im&erialis! &erio( !o regar( so'ial rela!ionshi&s

as se'on(ary 'ir'ums!an'es /hi'h (o no! 'on'ern !he essen'e

of man. %he in!ui!ion of essen'e !a0es !he imme(ia!e gi*enness

of inner e&erien'e as i!s s!ar!ing &oin!, /hi'h i! regar(s as

un'on(i!ione( an( &rimary, ne*er loo0ing in!o i!s 'hara'!er

an( &re'on(i!ions, an( &ro'ee(s !hen'e !o i!s final abs!ra'!

@*ision,A (i*or'e( from reali!y. u'h in!ui!ions, un(er !he

so'ial 'on(i!ions of !he !ime, 'oul( easily abs!ra'! from allso'ial a'!uali!y /hile 0ee&ing !he a&&earan'e of u!!er

obe'!i*i!y an( rigor. n !his /ay !here arose !he logi'al my!h

of a /orl( in s&len(i( a''or( /i!h !he a!!i!u(e of bourgeois

in!elle'!uals in(e&en(en! of 'ons'iousness, al!hough i!s

s!ru'!ure an( 'hara'!eris!i's are sai( !o be (e!ermine( by !he

in(i*i(ual 'ons'iousness.

l! is im&ossible here !o gi*e a (e!aile( 'ri!iue of !he

&henomenologi'al me!ho(. 6e shall !herefore merely analy>e

in summary fashion an eam&le of !he /ay i! is a&&lie(. 6e

ha*e 'hosen !he boo0 of >ilasi, !he /ell 0no/n s!u(en! of

Husserl an( Hei(egger,[1]&ar!ly be'ause >ilasi is an earnes!

!hin0er /ho aims a! s'ien!ifi' obe'!i*i!y, no! a 'yni'al

fabri'a!or of my!hs li0e 'heler; an( &ar!ly be'ause !he

elemen!ary form of !he eam&le is /ell sui!e( !o a brief

!rea!men!. >ilasi !a0es as his ins!an'e !he 'o2&resen'e

Miteinandersein a! his le'!ure of his hearers an( himself.Des'ribing !he essen'e of !he si!ua!ion, he fin(s !ha! !he hall

lies before him, !he ben'hes, in a /or(, !he e!ernal /orl(:

@%his s&a'e /i!h i!s *ariously /or0e( boar(s is a le'!ure hall

only be'ause /e un(ers!an( !his mass of /oo(en obe'!s as

su'h, an( /e (o un(ers!an( i! so be'ause from !he ou!se! /e

mean i! as some!hing &resu&&ose( in our 'ommon !as0 -

namely, le'!uring an( lis!ening.A From /hi'h he 'on'lu(es, @!

is !he /ay of being !oge!her !ha! (e!ermines /ha! !he !hing is.A
https://www.marxists.org/archive/lukacs/works/1949/existentialism.htm#n1https://www.marxists.org/archive/lukacs/works/1949/existentialism.htm#n1


6/24

e! us 'onsi(er !he resul! of !his in!ui!ion of essen'e from

!he me!ho(ologi'al &oin! of *ie/. Firs!, i! is a &rimi!i*e

abs!ra'!ion /hen >ilasi s&ea0s of @*ariously /or0e( boar(s,A

an( no! of (es0s, ben'hes, e!'. u! !his is me!ho(ologi'ally

essen!ial, for if he shoul( 'on'e(e !ha! !he le'!ure hall is

eually a(a&!e( !o hol(ing &hilologi'al, legal, an( o!her

le'!ures, /ha! /oul( be lef! of !he magi'al &o!en'y of !he

in!en!ional e&erien'e, /hi'h is su&&ose( !o ma0e !he obe'!

/ha! i! isilasi 'oul( (eli*er a le'!ure &re'isely in uri'h has !he mos!(i*erse so'ial &re'on(i!ions. For ins!an'e, before Hi!ler)s

sei>ure of &o/er >ilasi ga*e his le'!ures in Freiburg; af!er

1933 !hey /ere no longer &ermi!!e(, in fa'! !he le'!urer ha( !o

lea*e ermany be'ause his &ersonal safe!y /as !hrea!ene(.

6hy is all !his missing from !he in!ui!ion of 'o2&resen'e< !

belongs !here a! leas! as mu'h as (o !he @/or0e( boar(s.A

u! le! us re!urn !o !he boar(s. %he fa'! !ha! boar(s are use(

in a 'er!ain /ay !o ma0e (es0s an( ben'hes &resu&&oses a

'er!ain s!age of (e*elo&men! of in(us!ry an( of so'ie!y. gain,

!he fa'! !ha! !he boar(s an( !he ball as a /hole are in a 'er!ain

'on(i!ion is !here 'oal for hea!ing, or glass in !he /in(o/s


7/24

of !he &hiloso&hi'al @!hir( /ayA !o(ay !he eis!en!ialis!s ma0e

similar a''usa!ions agains! one ano!her. o ar!re 'om&lains of

Husserl an( Hei(egger, !/o men he o!her/ise &ri>es highly.

Husserl, in his o&inion, has no! gone beyon( ?an!; an( he

'ri!i'i>es Hei(egger as follo/s: @%he 'hara'!er being2!oge!her

G'o2&resen'e,Mitsein in!ro(u'e( by Hei(egger is a 'hara'!er

of !he isola!e( ego. Hen'e i! (oes no! lea( beyon( soli&sism.

%herefore /e shall sear'h ein und !eitin *ain for a &osi!ion

beyon( bo!h i(ealism an( realism Gmeaning ma!erialism.A n

analysis of ar!re)s &hiloso&hy /ill sho/ us !ha! he 'an be

!ae( /i!h !he offense for /hi'h he 'on(emns Husserl an(

Hei(egger. Hei(egger)s &hiloso&hy eis!en'e &asein (oes

no! mean obe'!i*e being ein &ro&er, bu! human eis!en'e,i.e., a being a/are of eis!en'e. n some &la'es ar!re, /ho has

more in!eres! !han his &re(e'essors in !he emo!ional an(

&ra'!i'al rela!ion of man !o na!ure, s&ells ou! !he 'om&le!e

(e&en(en'e of na!ure on man s 'ons'iousness. 6hen s&ea0ing

of (e*as!a!ion, he (enies !ha! i! eis!s in na!ure i!self, in /hi'h

only 'hanges !a0e &la'e. @n( e*en !his e&ression is

ina(eua!e, for in or(er !ha! !his 'hanging2!o2some!hing2else

may be &osi!e(, a /i!ness is nee(e( /ho someho/ or o!her&reser*es !he &as! /i!hin himself an( is able !o 'om&are i! /i!h

!he &resen! in i!s Ino2longer) form.A n( in ano!her &la'e he

says: @%he full moon (oes no! (eno!e !he fu!ure, e'e&! /hen

/e obser*e !he /aing moon in !he I/orl() /hi'h re*eals

i!self in human a'!uali!y: !he fu!ure 'omes in!o !he /orl( by

/ay of human eis!en'e.A

%his &urely i(ealis!i' !en(en'y is heigh!ene( in ar!re by !he

fa'! !ha! his /ay of han(ling &roblems 'om&els him !o s!u(y

'on're!e ues!ions of 'o2eis!en'e Mitsein e*en more

freuen!ly !han Hei(egger. He mee!s !he (iffi'ul!y &ar!ly by

'hoosing loosely 'onne'!e( manifes!a!ions of 'o2&resen'e !ha!

'an be referre( /i!h some &lausibili!y !o !he inner e&erien'es

of !he ego a ren(e>*ous a! a 'af+, a !ri& in !he sub/ay. u!

/hen a'!ual so'ial a'!i*i!y is in*ol*e( labor, 'lass

'ons'iousness, he ma0es a me!ho(ologi'alsalto mortalean(

(e'lares !ha! !he e&erien'es of !he rele*an! in!ui!ions of


8/24

essen'e are of &sy'hologi'al an( no! of on!ologi'al 'hara'!er.

%he reason for !his is !he se're! of !he ini!ia!e, !hose !o /hom

!he in!ui!ion of essen'e is gran!e(. ! is !herefore no a''i(en!

!ha! /hen ar!re !es!s !he rela!ion of man !o his fello/ man he

re'ogni>es only !he follo/ing rela!ions as on!ologi'ally

essen!ial, !ha! is, as elemen!s of reali!y in i!self: lo*e, s&ee'h,

maso'hism, in(ifferen'e, longing, ha!e, an( sa(ism. *en !he

or(er of !he 'a!egories is ar!re)s. ny!hing beyon( !his

inMiteinandersein, !he 'a!egories of 'olle'!i*e life !oge!her, of

/or0ing !oge!her, of figh!ing in a 'ommon 'ause, is for ar!re,

as /e ha*e seen, a 'a!egory of 'ons'iousness &sy'hologi'al

an( no! a really eis!en! 'a!egory on!ologi'al.

6hen all !his is a&&lie( !o a'!ual 'ases, !he resul! is banal

Philis!ine 'ommon&la'es. n his &o&ular boo0 ar!re !a0es u&

!he ues!ion of ho/ far he 'an ha*e 'onfi(en'e in his freely

a'!ing 'omra(es. ns/er: @s far as ha*e imme(ia!e

&ersonal 0no/le(ge of !hem, !o 'oun! on !he uni!y an( /ill of

!he &ar!y is us! li0e 'oun!ing on !he s!ree!'ar !o 'ome on !ime,

an( on !he !rain no! !o um& !he !ra'0s. u! 'anno! 'oun! on

men !ha! (o no! 0no/, ban0ing on human goo(ness or man)sin!eres! in !he 'ommon goo(, for i! is a gi*en (a!um !ha! man

is free an( !here is no su'h !hing as a human na!ure on /hi'h

'an 'oun!.A &ar! from !he in*ol*e( !erminology, any &e!!y

bourgeois, shrin0ing from &ubli' affairs, 'oul(, an( (oes, say

as mu'h.

2. The Myth o !othingness

l es! absur(e ue nous sommes n+s,

il es! absur(e ue nous mourrons.

- ar!re, )!re e! le n+an!

! /oul( be an error !o assume !ha! su'h an abs!ra'!

narro/ing of reali!y, su'h an i(ealis! (is!or!ion of !he &roblem

of reali!y, by in!elligen! an( e&erien'e( men is in!en!ional

(e'ei!. =n !he 'on!rary, !hose inner e&erien'es /hi'h

'ons!i!u!e !he a!!i!u(e re*eale( in !he in!ui!ion of

!he $esenssc%au, an( i!s 'on!en!, are as sin'ere an(


9/24

s&on!aneous as &ossible. u! !ha! (oes no! ma0e !hem

obe'!i*ely 'orre'!. n(ee( !his s&on!anei!y, by be!raying i!s

imme(ia!e un'ri!i'al a!!i!u(e !o/ar( !he basi' &henomenon,

'rea!es !he false 'ons'iousness: fe!ishism. Fe!ishism signifies,

in brief, !ha! !he rela!ions among human beings /hi'h fun'!ion

by means of obe'!s are refle'!e( in human 'ons'iousness

imme(ia!ely as !hings, be'ause of !he s!ru'!ure of 'a&i!alis!

e'onomy. %hey be'ome obe'!s or !hings, fe!ishes in /hi'h

men 'rys!alli>e !heir so'ial rela!ionshi&s, as sa*ages (o !heir

rela!ionshi&s !o na!ure; an( for sa*ages !he la/s of na!ural

rela!ions are us! as im&ene!rable as !he la/s of !he 'a&i!alis!

sys!em of e'onomy are !o !he men of !he /orl( of !o(ay. i0e

sa*ages, mo(ern men &ray !o !he fe!ishes !hey !hemsel*es ha*ema(e, bo/ (o/n !o !hem, an( sa'rifi'e !o !hem e.g., !he fe!ish

of money. Human rela!ions, as Mar says, a'uire @a s&e'!ral

obe'!i*i!y.A %he so'ial eis!en'e of man be'omes a ri((le in

his imme(ia!e e&erien'e, e*en !hough obe'!i*ely he is a

so'ial being firs! an( foremos!, (es&i!e all imme(ia!e

a&&earan'es !o !he 'on!rary.

! is no! our aim nor our !as0 !o !rea! of !he &roblem of fe!ishma0ing: !o (o so /oul( reuire a sys!ema!i' (e*elo&men! of

!he /hole s!ru'!ure of 'a&i!alis! so'ie!y an( !he forms of false

'ons'iousness arising ou! of i!. shall merely &oin! ou! !he

mos! im&or!an! ues!ions /hi'h ha*e ha( (e'isi*e influen'e

on !he (e*elo&men! of eis!en!ialism.

%he firs! is life)s losing i!s meaning. Man loses !he 'en!er,

/eigh!, an( 'onne'!e(ness of his o/n life, a fa'! life i!self

'om&els him !o reali>e. %he &henomenon has been 0no/n for along !ime. bsen, in'eer Gynt,&u!s i! in!o a s!ri0ing li!!le

s'ene. %he aging Peer yn! is &eeling off !he layers of an

onion, an( &layfully 'om&ares !he single layers /i!h !he

&erio(s of his life, ho&ing a! !he en( !o 'ome !o !he 'ore of !he

onion an( !he 'ore of his o/n &ersonali!y. u! layer follo/s

layer, &erio( af!er &erio( of life; an( no 'ore is foun(.

*eryone /hom !his e&erien'e has !ou'he( fa'es !heues!ion: Ho/ 'an my life be'ome meaningful< %he man /ho


10/24

li*es in !he fe!ish2ma0ing /orl( (oes no! see !ha! e*ery life is

ri'h, full, an( meaningful !o !he e!en! !ha! i! is 'ons'iously

lin0e( in human rela!ions /i!h o!her li*es. %he isola!e(

egois!i' man /ho li*es only for himself li*es in an

im&o*erishe( /orl(. His e&erien'es a&&roa'h !hrea!eningly

'lose !o !he unessen!ial an( begin !o merge in!o no!hingness

!he more e'lusi*ely !hey are his alone, an( !urne( solely

in/ar(.

%he man of !he fe!ishi>e( /orl(, /ho 'an 'ure his (isgus!

/i!h !he /orl( only in in!oi'a!ion, see0s, li0e !he mor&hine

a((i'!, !o fin( a /ay ou! by heigh!ening !he in!ensi!y of !he

in!oi'an! ra!her !han by a /ay of life !ha! has no nee( ofin!oi'a!ion. He is no! a/are !ha! !he loss of 'ommunal life,

!he (egra(a!ion an( (ehumani>a!ion of 'olle'!i*e /or0 as a

resul! of 'a&i!alis! (i*ision of labor, an( !he se*eran'e of

human rela!ions from so'ial a'!i*i!y ha*e s!u&efie( him. He

(oes no! see !his, an( goes fur!her an( fur!her along !he fa!al

&a!h, /hi'h !en(s !o be'ome a sube'!i*e nee(. For in 'a&i!alis!

so'ie!y &ubli' life, /or0, an( !he sys!em of human rela!ions

are un(er !he s&ell of fe!ish ma0ing, reifi'a!ion an((ehumani>a!ion. =nly re*ol! agains! !he a'!ual foun(a!ions, as

/e 'an see in many au!hors of !he !ime, lea(s !o a 'learer

a&&re'ia!ion of !hese foun(a!ions, an( !hen'e !o a ne/ so'ial

&ers&e'!i*e. s'a&e in!o in/ar(ness is a !ragi'2'omi'al blin(

alley.

s long as !he &illars of 'a&i!alis! so'ie!y seeme(

unsha0able, say u& !o !he firs! /orl( /ar, !he so2'alle( avant(

garde (an'e( /i!h !he fe!ishes of !heir inner life. ome /ri!ers,i! is !rue, sa/ !he a&&roa'h of !he ine*i!able 'a!as!ro&he bsen,

%ols!oy, %homas Mann, e!'.. %he gau(y 'arni*al, of!en /i!h a

ghas!ly !one from !ragi' in'i(en!al musi', /en! on

unin!erru&!e(. %he &hiloso&hy of immel an( ergson an(

mu'h of !he li!era!ure of !he !ime sho/ ea'!ly /here !hings

/ere hea(ing.

Many a goo( /ri!er an( 0een !hin0er sa/ !hrough !hein!oi'a!ion of 'arni*al !o !he fa'! !ha! !he fe!ishi>e( ego ha(


11/24

los! i!s essen'e. u! !hey /en! no fur!her !han !o s0e!'h !ragi'

or !ragi2'omi' &ers&e'!i*es behin( !he garish /hirl. %he

fe!ishi>e( bases of life seeme( so beyon( ues!ion !ha! !hey

es'a&e( s!u(y, le! alone 'ri!i'ism. f !here /ere (oub!s, !hey

/ere li0e !he (oub! of !he Hin(u /ho ues!ione( !he a''e&!e(

(o'!rine !ha! !he /orl( res!s on a huge ele&han!; he as0e(

mo(es!ly on /ha! !he ele&han! res!e(; an( /hen !ol( i! res!e(

on a huge !or!oise, he /en! his /ay 'on!en!e(. Min( /as so

forme( by fe!ish !hin0ing !ha! /hen !he firs! /orl( /ar an( !he

subseuen! series of 'rises 'alle( !he *ery &ossibili!y of human

eis!en'e in!o ues!ion, gi*ing a ne/ !inge !o e*ery i(ea, an(

/hen !he 'arni*al of isola!e( in(i*i(ualism ga*e /ay !o i!s

sh 6e(nes(ay, !here /as s!ill *ir!ually no 'hange in !he /ay!ha! &hiloso&hi'al ues!ions /ere as0e(.

Je! !he aim an( (ire'!ion of !he ues! for essen'e (i(

'hange. %he eis!en!ialism of Hei(egger an( 5as&ers is &roof.

%he e&erien'e /hi'h un(erlies !his &hiloso&hy is easily

s!a!e(: man s!an(s fa'e !o fa'e /i!h no!hingness or nonbeing.

%he fun(amen!al rela!ion of man !o !he /orl( is !he si!ua!ion

of vis()(vis de rien* %here is no!hing &ar!i'ularly original in!his. *er sin'e Poe, &erha&s !he firs! !o (es'ribe !he si!ua!ion

an( !he 'orres&on(ing a!!i!u(e, mo(ern li!era!ure has (/el!

u&on !he !ragi' fa!e /hi'h (ri*es a man !o !he e(ge of !he

abyss. s eam&les /e may men!ion !he si!ua!ion of

Kas0olni0o* af!er !he mur(er, an( !he roa( !o sui'i(e of

*i(rigailo* or !a*rogin. 6ha! is in*ol*e( here<

'hara'!eris!i' !ragi' form of (e*elo&men!, arising ou! of

&resen!2(ay life. grea! /ri!er /ea*es !hese !ragi' (es!inies,

/hi'h are as *i*i( an( &osi!i*e as /ere !he !rage(ies of

=e(i&us an( Hamle! in !heir (ay.

%he originali!y of Hei(egger is !ha! he !a0es us! su'h

si!ua!ions as !y&i'al an( ma0es !hem his s!ar!ing &oin!. 6i!h

!he hel& of !he 'om&li'a!e( me!ho( of &henomenology, he

lo(ges !he en!ire &roblem in !he fe!ishi>e( s!ru'!ure of !he

bourgeois min(, in !he (reary ho&eless nihilism an( &essimism

of !he in!elle'!uals of !he in!er*al be!/een !he !/o /orl( /ars.%he firs! fe!ish is !he 'on'e&! of no!hingness. n Hei(egger as


12/24

in ar!re, !his is !he 'en!ral &roblem of reali!y, of on!ology. n

Hei(egger no!hingness is an on!ologi'al (a!um on a le*el /i!h

eis!en'e; in ar!re i! is only one fa'!or in eis!en'e, /hi'h

ne*er!heless en!ers in!o all !he manifes!a!ions of being.

*ery s&e'iali>e( &hiloso&hi'al (isser!a!ion /oul( be

reuire( !o sho/ !he 'hains of !hough!, some!imes ui!e false,

some!imes ob*iously so&his!i'al, by /hi'h ar!re see0s !o

us!ify his !heory of nega!i*e u(gmen!. ! is !rue !ha!, for e*ery

@BoA /hi'h e&resses a &ar!i'ular u(gmen!, !here is a

&osi!i*ely eis!ing si!ua!ion. u! i! is only i(oli>ing of

sube'!i*e a!!i!u(es !ha! gi*es no!hingness !he semblan'e of

reali!y. 6hen inuire, for ins!an'e, /ha! !he la/s of !he solarsys!em are, ha*e no! &osi!e( any nega!i*e being, su'h as

ar!re en*isages. %he meaning of my ues!ion is sim&ly !ha!

la'0 0no/le(ge. %he ans/er may be &u! in ei!her &osi!i*e or

nega!i*e form, bu! !he same &osi!i*e reali!y is in(i'a!e( in

ei!her 'ase. =nly so&his!ry 'oul( infer !he @eis!en'eA of

nonbeing. %he no!hingness /hi'h fas'ina!es re'en!

&hiloso&hers is a my!h of (e'lining 'a&i!alis! so'ie!y. 6hile

&re*iously i! /as in(i*i(uals !hough so'ially !y&i'al onesli0e !a*rogin an( *i(rigailo* !ha! ha( !o fa'e no!hingness,

!o(ay i! is a /hole sys!em !ha! has rea'he( !his 'himeri'al

ou!loo0. For Hei(egger an( ar!re life i!self is !he s!a!e of

being 'as! in!o no!hingness.

is!en!ialism 'onsis!en!ly &ro'laims !ha! no!hing 'an be

0no/n by man. ! (oes no! 'hallenge s'ien'e in general; i! (oes

no! raise s0e&!i'al obe'!ions !o i!s &ra'!i'al or !e'hni'al uses.

! merely (enies !ha! !here is a s'ien'e /hi'h has !he righ! !osay any!hing abou! !he one essen!ial ues!ion: !he rela!ion of

!he in(i*i(ual !o life. %his is !he allege( su&eriori!y of

eis!en!ialism !o !he ol( &hiloso&hy. @is!en!ial &hiloso&hy,A

5as&ers says, @+ould be lost immediately i it started believing

again t%at it kne+ +%at man is*- %his ra(i'al ignoran'e on

&rin'i&le, /hi'h is s!resse( by Hei(egger an( ar!re, is one of

!he main reasons for !he o*er/helming influen'e of

eis!en!ialism. Men /ho ha*e no &ros&e'!s !hemsel*es fin(


13/24


14/24

eis!en'e, a''or(ing !o Hei(egger, one mus! !a0e !he roa( !o

(ea!h, his o/n (ea!h; one mus! li*e in su'h a /ay !ha! his

(ea!h (oes no! 'ome u&on him as a bru!e fa'! brea0ing in on

him from /i!hou!, bu! as his o/n. '!ual eis!en'e 'an fin( i!s

'ro/ning a'hie*emen! only in su'h a &ersonal (emise. %he

'om&le!e 'a&ri'iousness an( sube'!i*ism of !he on!ology,

'on'eale( behin( a sho/ of obe'!i*i!y, 'ome !o ligh! on'e

more. s a 'onfession of a 'i!i>en of !he 19"#s, Hei(egger)s

/ay of !hin0ing is no! /i!hou! in!eres!. ein und !eit is a! leas!

as absorbing rea(ing as C+line)s no*el,.ourney to t%e End o

t%e /ig%t* u! !he former, li0e !he la!!er, is merely a (o'umen!

of !he (ay sho/ing ho/ a 'lass fel! an( !hough!, an( no! an

@on!ologi'alA (is'losure of ul!ima!e !ru!h. ! is only be'ause!his boo0 is so /ell sui!e( !o !he emo!ional /orl( of !o(ay)s

in!elle'!uals !ha! !he arbi!rariness of i!s &seu(oargumen!a!ion is

no! e&ose(. %he 'on!ras! of abs!ra'! (ea!h !o meaningless life

is for many men !o(ay an im&li'i! aiom. u! i! suffi'es !o

glan'e a! !he mo(e of !hough! of ol(er !imes, before 'olla&se

s!ar!e(, !o reali>e !ha! !his a!!i!u(e !o/ar( (ea!h is no! !he

on!ologi'al 'hara'!er of @beingA bu! a !ransi!ory &henomenon.

&ino>a sai(: @%he free man !hin0s of any!hing bu! his (ea!h;his /is(om is no! (ea!h bu! &on(ering on life.A

5as&ers an( ar!re are less ra(i'al !han Hei(egger in !his

res&e'!, al!hough !heir !hough! is no! !he less 'on(i!ione( by

!ime an( 'lass. ar!re fla!ly ree'!s !he 'on'e&! of s&e'ifi' or

&ersonal (ea!h as a 'a!egory of eis!en!ialism. n 5as&ers, !he

&han!om of @oneA (oes no! a&&ear formally in su'h a ra(i'ally

mys!ifying form, bu! only as !he !o!ali!y of !he nameless

&o/ers ruling life !ha! is, essen!ially, so'ial life on'e more

obe'!i*i>e( in a fe!ish. He 'on!en!s himself /i!h assigning

man, on'e he has a'uire( his essen'e an( begun !o li*e his

o/n &ri*a!e eis!en'e, s!ri'!ly !o !he &a!hs of &ri*a!e life. n

ene*a re'en!ly 5as&ers (e*elo&e( !he !hesis !ha! no!hing goo(

or essen!ial 'an 'ome of &oli!i'al or so'ial a'!i*i!y: !he

sal*a!ion of man is &ossible only /hen e*ery one &assiona!ely

'on'erns himself e'lusi*ely /i!h his o/n eis!en'e an( in

rela!ions /i!h o!her in(i*i(uals of li0e &ersuasion.


15/24

Here !he labors of !he &hiloso&hi'al moun!ain ha*e only

&ro(u'e( a (reary Philis!ine mouse. rns! lo'h, !he /ell

0no/n erman an!i2fas'is! /ri!er /hose boo0 a&&eare( in

193L, sai( of Hei(egger)s (ea!h !heory from /hi'h 5as&ers)

&ersonal morali!y is ob!aine( sim&ly by !he a((i!ion of /a!er:

%a0ing e!ernal (ea!h as goal ma0es man)s eis!ing so'ial

si!ua!ion a ma!!er of su'h in(ifferen'e !ha! i! migh! as /ell

remain 'a&i!alis!i'. %he asser!ion of (ea!h as absolu!e fa!e an(

sole (es!ina!ion has !he same signifi'an'e for !o(ay)s

'oun!erre*olu!ion as formerly !he 'onsola!ion of !he hereaf!er

ha(. %his 0een obser*a!ion 'as!s ligh! !oo on !he reason /hy

!he &o&ulari!y of eis!en!ialism is gro/ing no! only among

snobs bu! also among rea'!ionary /ri!ers.

". #reedo$ in a #etishi%ed World and the #etish o #reedo$

5e 'ons!ruis l)uni*ersel en me 'hoisissan!.

- ar!re:)is!en!ialisme es! un hurnanisme.

is!en!ialism is !he &hiloso&hy no! only of (ea!h bu! also of

abs!ra'! free(om. %his is !he mos! im&or!an! reason for !he

&o&ulari!y of ar!re)s forms of eis!en!ialism; an(2al!hough i!may soun( &ara(oi'al2!he rea'!ionary si(e of eis!en!ialism)s

&resen! influen'e is here 'on'eale(. Hei(egger, as /e 0no/,

sa/ !he /ay !o eis!en'e)s be'oming essen!ial an( real only in

a life (ire'!e( !o/ar( (ea!h; ar!re)s shre/( 'ommen!s &u! an

en( !o !he s&e'ious &roba!i*eness of Hei(egger)s e&osi!ion.

%his 'on!ra(i'!ion be!/een ar!re an( Hei(egger is an

e&ression no! merely of !he (i*ergen! a!!i!u(es of Fren'h an(

erman in!elle'!uals !o/ar( !he 'en!ral &roblems of life, bu!also of !he 'hange( !imes. Hei(egger)s basi' boo0 a&&eare( in

19"7, on !he e*e of !he ne/ /orl( 'risis, in !he o&&resse(

mur0y a!mos&here before !he fas'is! s!orm; an( !he effe'!

lo'h (es'ribe( /as !he general s!a!e of in!elle'!uals. 6e (o

no! 0no/ /hen ar!re)s boo0 a&&eare(; !he nominal (a!e is

1943 - !ha! is, /hen libera!ion from fas'ism /as alrea(y in

sigh! an( /hen, us! be'ause of !he (e'a(e2long rule of

fas'ism, !he longing for free(om /as !he (ee&es! feeling of !he

in!elle'!uals of all uro&e, es&e'ially of 'oun!ries /here !hey


16/24

ha( gro/n u& in (emo'ra!i' !ra(i!ions. %he inner e&erien'e -

abo*e all, in !he 6es!ern 'oun!ries - /as one of free(om in

general, abs!ra'!ly, /i!hou! analysis or (ifferen!ia!ion, in brief

free(om as my!h, /hi'h &re'isely be'ause of i!s formlessness

/as able !o uni!e un(er i!s flag all enemies of fas'ism, /ho

/ha!e*er !heir &oin! of *ie/ ha!e( !heir origin or !heir goal.

=nly one !hing ma!!ere( !o !hese men, !o say @BoA !o fas'ism.

%he less s&e'ifi' !he @BoA /as, !he be!!er i! e&resse( !he

feeling of a'!uali!y. %he abs!ra'! @BoA an( i!s &en(an!, abs!ra'!

free(om, /ere !o many men !he ea'! e&ression of !he @my!hA

of !he resis!an'e. 6e shall see !ha! ar!re)s no!ion of free(om

is mos! abs!ra'!. %his enables us !o un(ers!an( /hy !he sense

of !he !ime eal!e( eis!en!ialism an( yiel(e( !o i! as a(eua!e&hiloso&hy of !he (ay.

Ho/e*er, fas'ism 'olla&se(, an( !he 'ons!ru'!ion an( re2

enfor'emen! of (emo'ra'y an( free life engage( !he &ubli'

o&inion of e*ery 'oun!ry as i!s firs! 'on'ern. *ery serious

argumen!, from &oli!i's !o $eltansc%auung, re*ol*es no/

aroun( !he ues!ion of /ha! !he (emo'ra'y an( free(om

shoul( be /hi'h man0in( is buil(ing on !he ruins of fas'is!(es!ru'!ion.

is!en!ialism has 0e&! i!s &o&ulari!y un(er !hese 'hange(

'ir'ums!an'es; in(ee(, i! /oul( seem !ha! i! is no/ for !he firs!

!ime - !o be sure, in ar!re)s formula!ion, no! Hei(egger)s - on

!he roa( !o /orl( 'onues!. =ne (e'isi*e fa'!or here is !he fa'!

!ha! eis!en!ialism gi*es !he no!ion of free(om a 'en!ral &la'e

in i!s &hiloso&hy. u! !o(ay free(om is no longer a my!h. %he

s!ri*ings for free(om ha*e be'ome 'on're!e, more an( more'on're!e e*ery (ay. Eiolen! (is&u!es o*er !he in!er&re!a!ion of

free(om an( (emo'ra'y ha*e s&li! !he su&&or!ers of !he

*arious s'hools in!o an!agonis!i' 'am&s. 8n(er su'h

'ir'ums!an'es ho/ is i! &ossible !ha! eis!en!ialism, /i!h i!s

rigi(, abs!ra'! 'on'e&!ion of free(om, shoul( be'ome a

/orl(/i(e !ren(< =r more &re'isely, /hom, an( ho/, (oes

eis!en!ialism 'arry 'on*i'!ion as a &hiloso&hy of free(om< %o

ans/er !his 'en!ral ues!ion, /e mus! 'ome !o 'loser gri&s /i!har!re)s 'on'e&! of free(om.


17/24

''or(ing !o him, free(om is a basi' fa'! of human

eis!en'e. 6e re&resen!, says ar!re, @free(om /hi'h 'hooses,

bu! /e 'oul( no! 'hoose !o be free. 6e are (oome( !o

free(om.A 6e are !hro/n in!o free(om

Hei(egger)s Ge+oren%eit*

Bo! 'hoosing, ho/e*er, is us! as mu'h 'hoi'e as 'hoosing

is; a*oi(ing a'!ion is a'!ion !oo. *ery/here ar!re s!resses

!his role of free(om, from !he mos! &rimi!i*e fa'!s of e*ery(ay

life !o !he ul!ima!e ues!ions of me!a&hysi's. 6hen !a0e &ar!

in a grou& e'ursion, ge! !ire(, am /eighe( (o/n by my &a'0,

an( so for!h, am fa'e( /i!h !he fa'! of free 'hoi'e, an( mus!

(e'i(e /he!her /ill go on /i!h my 'om&anions or !hro/ offmy bur(en an( si! (o/n by !he roa(si(e. From !his &roblem

!he /ay lea(s !o !he final, mos! abs!ra'! &roblems of human

eis!en'e; in !he &lans or &roe'!s in /hi'h man 'on're!i>es his

free (e'ision an( free 'hoi'e #ro0et, #ro0eter is one of !he

mos! im&or!an! no!ions of ar!re)s !heory of free(om !here lies

!he 'on!en! of !he ul!ima!e i(eal, !he las! @&roe'!A: o(. n

ar!re)s /or(s: @%he basi' &lan of human reali!y is bes!

illus!ra!e( by !he fa'! !ha! man is !he being /hose &lan i! is !obe'ome o(. . . . eing a man is eui*alen! !o being engage(

in be'oming o(.A n( !he &hiloso&hi'al 'on!en! of !his i(eal

of o( is !he a!!ainmen! of !ha! s!age of eis!en'e /hi'h !he

ol( &hiloso&hy (eno!e( as causa sui*

ar!re)s no!ion of free(om is e!remely broa( an(

in(e!ermina!e, la'0ing s&e'ifi' 'ri!eria. Choi'e, !he essen'e of

free(om, 'onsis!s for him in !he a'! of 'hoosing oneself. %he

'ons!an! (anger lur0ing here is !ha! /e 'oul( be'ome o!her!han /e are. n( here !here is no moral 'om&ass or &lumb line.

For ins!an'e, 'o/ar(i'e s!ems from free 'hoi'e us! as mu'h as

'ourage (oes. @My fear is free an( a!!es!s my free(om; ha*e

'as! all my free(om in!o my fear an( 'hosen myself as

'o/ar(ly in su'h an( su'h 'ir'ums!an'es; in o!her

'ir'ums!an'es migh! eis! as 'ourageous an( &u! my free(om

in!o 'ourage. 6i!h res&e'! !o free(om, no i(eal has any

&re'e(en'e.A


18/24

in'e for ar!re all human eis!en'e is free by (efini!ion, his

no!ion of free(om is e*en more in(efini!e !han !ha! of

Hei(egger. Hei(egger 'oul( (ifferen!ia!e be!/een !he free an(

!he unfree. For him, !ha! man is free /ho &rogramma!i'ally

li*es !o/ar( his o/n (ea!h; unfree an( unau!hen!i', he /ho,

forge!!ing his o/n (ea!h, li*es no! as a self bu! in !he 'ro/(.

ar!re ree'!s !his 'ri!erion, as /e ha*e seen. He also ree'!s

su'h a hierar'hy of moral *alues as 'heler ha( 'on'ei*e(, as

/ell as any 'onne'!ion of free 'hoi'e /i!h man)s &as!, *i>., !he

&rin'i&le of 'on!inui!y an( 'onsis!en'y of &ersonali!y. Finally,

he (enies !he ?an!ian formal (is!in'!ion be!/een free an(

unfree a'!s.

He seems, i! is !rue, !o be some/ha! frigh!ene( by !his

in(e!ermina!eness. n his &o&ular &am&hle! he says, @Bo!hing

'an be goo( for us /hi'h is no! goo( for e*eryone,A an( in

ano!her &la'e: @! !hesame !ime !ha! /ill my o/n free(om i!

is my (u!y !o /ill !he free(om of o!hers. 'anno! se! my o/n

free(om as goal unless also se! !ha! of o!hers as my goal.A

%his soun(s *ery fine. u! in ar!re i! is only an e'le'!i'

inser!ion in!o eis!en!ialism, of !he moral &rin'i&les of !henligh!enmen! an( !he ?an!ian &hiloso&hy. ?an! (i( no!

su''ee( in es!ablishing obe'!i*e morali!y by generali>ing

sube'!i*i!y. %he young Hegel, in a shar& 'ri!iue, sho/e( !his

failure. Ho/e*er, ?an!)s generali>a!ion s!ill s!an(s in in!ima!e

'onne'!ion /i!h !he firs! &rin'i&les of his so'ial &hiloso&hy; in

ar!re, !his generali>a!ion is an e'le'!i' 'om&romise /i!h

!ra(i!ional &hiloso&hi'al o&inion, 'on!ra(i'!ing his on!ologi'al

&osi!ion.

n his 'a&i!al /or0 he (oes no! ma0e !hese 'on'essions. %rue

!o his basi' !hough!, on!ologi'al soli&sism, !he 'on!en! an(

goal of !he free a'! are meaningful an( e&li'able only from

!he &oin! of *ie/ of !he sube'!. Here ar!re s!ill s!a!es a *ie/

o&&osi!e !o !ha! of his &o&ular bro'hure: @Kes&e'! for !he

free(om of one)s fello/ man is i(le 'ha!!er: e*en if /e 'oul(

so &lan !ha! /e honore( !his free(om, su'h an a!!i!u(e /oul(

be a *iola!ion of !he free(om /hi'h /e /ere so busyres&e'!ing.A n !he same &la'e he illus!ra!es !his 'on'e&!ion by


19/24

a *ery 'on're!e eam&le: @6hen bring abou! !oleran'e

among my fello/ men ha*e for'ibly hurle( !hem in!o a

!oleran! /orl(. n so (oing ha*e in &rin'i&le !a0en a/ay !heir

free 'a&a'i!y for 'ourageous resis!an'e, for &erse*eran'e, for

self2!es!ing, /hi'h !hey /oul( ha*e ha( !he o&&or!uni!y of

(e*elo&ing in some /orl( of in!oleran'e.A

%his 'yni'al *ie/ !ha! !here are no unfree a'!s has

signifi'an! resemblan'e !o !he *ie/ !ha! !here are no free a'!s.

6hile e*en Hei(egger 0ne/ !ha! /e 'an s&ea0 of a free a'!

only if man is 'a&able of being 'oer'e( as /ell, ar!re (oes no!

0no/ !his. i0e !he (e!erminis!, ar!re re(u'es human

&henomena !o one le*el. u! (e!erminism is a! leas! a sys!em,*erifiable in &ar!, /hereas ar!re)s free a'!s are a (is'onne'!e(,

for!ui!ous 'onglomera!ion.

6ha! is !he legi!ima!e fa'!or in ar!re< 6i!hou! ues!ion, !he

em&hasis on !he in(i*i(ual)s (e'ision, /hose im&or!an'e /as

un(er*alue( ali0e by bourgeois (e!erminism an( by *ulgar

Marism. ll so'ial a'!i*i!y is ma(e u& of !he a'!ions of

in(i*i(uals, an( no ma!!er ho/ (e'isi*e !he e'onomi' basis

may be in !hese (e'isions, i!s effe'!s are fel! only @in !he long

run,A as ngels so of!en s!resses. %his means !ha! !here is

al/ays a 'on're!e area of free 'hoi'e for !he in(i*i(ual, /hi'h

(oes no! 'onfli'! /i!h !he fee! !ha! his!ory has i!s general an(

ne'essary !ren(s of (e*elo&men!. %he mere eis!en'e of

&oli!i'al &ar!ies &ro*es !he reali!y of !his area. %he main

(ire'!ions of (e*elo&men! 'an be foreseen; bu!, as ngels

s!resse(, i! /oul( be i(le &e(an!ry !o !ry !o fore!ell from !he

la/s of e*olu!ion /he!her in a gi*en 'ase Pe!er or Paul /illin(i*i(ually (e'i(e !his /ay or !ha!, *o!e for !his &ar!y or !he

o!her, an( so for!h. %he ne'essi!y of e*olu!ion is al/ays

effe'!e( by means of in!ernal an( e!ernal 'on!ingen'ies. !

/oul( be a ser*i'e !o s'ien'e !o sho/ !heir signifi'an'e an(

s!u(y !heir &la'e an( role, if a! !he same !ime !heir

me!ho(ologi'al meaning in !he /hole (iale'!i'al &ro'ess /ere

more &re'isely (e!ermine( !han formerly. n !his sense a role

/hi'h shoul( no! be un(eres!ima!e( a!!a'hes !o moral


20/24


21/24

ar!re sees some!hing of all !his, bu! /i!hou! (ra/ing any

'on'lusions from i!. o he /ea*es fe!ishes an( my!hs aroun(

!he &roblem he *aguely (is'erns, an( 'on'lu(es /i!h !he !ri*ial

&hrase: @ny one /ho in anguishA angoisse has been a

(e'isi*e 'a!egory of eis!en!ialism sin'e !he ?ier0egaar(ian

Ke'e&!ion @reali>es !ha! his 'on(i!ion of life is !ha! of being

!hro/n in!o a res&onsibili!y /hi'h lea(s !o 'om&le!e isola!ion:

!ha! man 0no/s no more remorse, regre!, or self2us!ifi'a!ion.A

5us! as !he sublime is bu! a s!e& from !he ri(i'ulous, so a

'er!ain 0in( of moral sublimi!y is only a s!e& from fri*oli!y an(

'yni'ism.

! /as ne'essary for us !o elabora!e !hus shar&ly on !heban0ru&!'y of !he ar!rean 'on'e&! of free(om be'ause !his is

&re'isely !he 0ey !o !he /i(es&rea( effe'!i*eness of !he

(o'!rine in 'er!ain 'ir'les. u'h an abs!ra'!, for'e(, !o!ally

*a'uous an( irra!ionali>e( 'on'e&!ion of free(om an(

res&onsibili!y, !he haugh!y s'orn for so'ial *ie/&oin!s an(

&ubli' life use( !o (efen( !he on!ologi'al in!egri!y of !he

in(i*i(ual - all a(eua!ely roun(s ou! !he my!h of no!hingness,

es&e'ially for !he reuiremen!s of snobs: for !hey mus! be&ar!i'ularly im&resse( /i!h !he mi!ure of 'ruelly s!ri'!

&rin'i&le /i!h 'yni'al looseness of a'!ion an( moral nihilism.

u! in a((i!ion !his 'on'e&!ion of free(om gi*es a 'er!ain

se'!ion of in!elle'!uals, al/ays in'line( !o/ar( e!reme

in(i*i(ualism, an i(eologi'al su&&or! an( us!ifi'a!ion for

refusing !he unfol(ing an( buil(ing of (emo'ra'y. %here ha*e

been /ri!ers /ho, 'alling !hemsel*es (emo'ra!s, un(er !oo0 !o

(efen( !he righ!s of !he bla'0 mar0e! an( of !he sabo!aging an(

s/in(ling 'a&i!alis!, all in !he name of in(i*i(ual free(om, an(

/ho 'arrie( !he &rin'i&le so far !ha! room is foun( for !he

free(om of rea'!ion an( fas'ism; res&onsibili!y has been !he

slogan in /hose name !he a!!em&! /as firs! ma(e !o blo'0 !he

regis!ra!ion of !he ne/ o/ners) lan( an( la!er !o 'all for !heir

re!urn. ar!re)s abs!ra'! an( s!raine( 'on'e&!ion of free(om

an( res&onsibili!y /as us! /ha! !hese for'es 'oul( use.

ar!re)s hoo0s (o no! gi*e us !he im&ression !ha! he ea'!ly(esires !o be !he i(eologis! of !hese grou&s; an( 'er!ainly !here


22/24


23/24

an( s!ru'!ure. %his 'onseuen'e follo/s no! only from !he

*ir!ual infini!y of e*ery a'!ual obe'!, as a resul! of /hi'h !he

mos! 'om&le!e !hough! is only an a&&roima!ion, i.e. !he obe'!

of on!ology is e*en in &rin'i&le ri'her in 'on!en! an( !herefore

of ri'her, more 'om&li'a!e( s!ru'!ure !han !he

&henomenologi'al obe'! of mere 'ons'iousness. n( !his is a

'onseuen'e as /ell of !he e!ensionally an( in!ensionally

infini!e 2erloc%ten%eit in!errela!e(ness of real obe'!s, in

/hi'h !he re'i&ro'al a'!ion of !heir rela!ions 'hanges !he

obe'!s) fun'!ions an( !hen rea'!s on !heir obe'!i*i!y. n !his

'on!e! mere eis!en'e, !he bru!e fa'!, be'omes un(er 'er!ain

'ir'ums!an'es one of !he 'hara'!ers an( 'hanges !he 'on'e&! of

obe'!i*i!y, /i!h res&e'! !o 'on!en! an( s!ru'!ure. e! us'onsi(er !he !heory of money, !o 'on!inue /i!h ?an!)s

eam&le. o long as /e s&ea0 of money as a me(ium of

'ir'ula!ion, /e migh! s!ill assume !ha! !hough!2of money is

i(en!i'al /i!h real money al!hough /e shoul( be /rong e*en

here. u! !he *ery 'on'e&! of money as a me(ium of &aymen!

im&lies eis!en'e; !here is &resen! in !his 'ase a 'on'e&!ual

(ifferen'e be!/een !he !hough!2of (ollar an( !he real one, a

(ifferen'e /hi'h 'ons!i!u!es a ne/ 'a!egory. =nly !he a'!ual(ollar, in one)s &ossession, 'an be a means of &aymen!. Money

in i!self is no! enough; /e mus! %ave i! !oo.

Mo(ern on!ology by&asses !hese 'onsi(era!ions, no!

unin!en!ionally. %he isola!ing in!ui!ion of !he isola!e(

in(i*i(ual - in !his 'onne'!ion i! is imma!erial /he!her his

in!eres! is (ire'!e( !o/ar( !he obe'!, fie( in i!s rigi(i!y, or

!o/ar( !he 'hangefulness of !hough! - lif!s e*ery obe'! ou! of

!he 'om&le an( li*ing fabri' of i!s eis!en'e, fun'!ions,

rela!ions, in!era'!ions, e!'., (issol*ing i! ou! of !he real, li*ing,

mo*ing !o!ali!y. %he @original a'hie*emen!A of

&henomenology an( on!ology in !his fiel( 'onsis!s merely in

!he fa'! !ha! i! (ogma!i'ally i(en!ifies reali!y /i!h !he

obe'!i*i!y i! has !hus ob!aine(. For !hem, obe'!i*i!y an(

obe'!i*e reali!y mean one an( !he same !hing.


24/24

1.$issensc%at als '%iloso#%ie, uri'h, 194L

Georg Lukács on Existentialism

Documents

Transcript of Georg Lukács on Existentialism