What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose in life?
These are just some of the "eternal questions" of humankind. The existentialist will gladly say to you that "there is no meaning." Life is absurd. Now the question stands still, what should I do in a meaningless world? Jean-Paul Sartre would answer that the only truth in this world is that "We are condemned to be free." For him, it is not the world's lack of meaning that is disturbing rather it is its terrifyingly abundance of freedom. Why terrifying? Just imagine a world that is full of autonomous agents living with each other, everyone capable of doing what he wants. What will happen? You might always be thinking that there is someone up there - an authority - to look up to and who will give meaning to our life but Sartre and the existentialists would argue that all of these perceived authority are fake. We are the only masters of our soul - the only captains of our ships. Thus this condemnation to freedom forces us to create our own moral codes - our own Selves. Thus, contrary to Christian stance, the existentialist would argue that "Existence precedes essence." It is only me who can give meaning to my life and Self no other - not religion, my parents nor my country because these people are just like me, mere people looking for meaning deciding for themselves. So what's the best thing to do? Sartre would argue that it is to "live authentically." This means that you should accept the full weight of your freedom amidst the absurdity of the world. And along this freedom is the responsibility for your choices. No one can be credited or blamed because of your choices except yourself. You are the only one who can give meaning to this meaningless world. What if you do not like this ad you'll just ask your parents what you are or what you should be or just phone the famous DJ in town? Albert Camus will say that "The human being is the only creature who tries not to be what he is." For the existentialist what makes man truly human is his freedom and his acceptance of it and its consequences so otherwise will b e fatal to his humanity. This escapism Sartre calls "Bad Faith." Thus, you should not just follow others' paths because these are not yours. No one can give you right advice because you are the only one who should be doing so to yourself. Remember, you live your own life. Thus there is really no true choice except your own choice - provided you chose it authentically. So no one can tell you what to do - only you can!
To all my students in PHI115 kindly download here our text for discussion entitled "Existentialism is a Humanism" by Jean-Paul Sartre. |
anonymous lenzJust a traveling someone in this reality we have fallen in love with... this we call our world... "What is essential is invisible to the eyes..." Tags
All
"The absolutely other is the Other" Archives
September 2018
"There is only one corner in the universe that you can be certain of improving and that's your own Self" |