What is Existentialism?
It is a philosophical movement that focuses on individuality, and the necessity of making reasoned decisions for one's self. It emphasizes individual existence, personal freedom and authentic choice.
What is the meaning of life? = What is the (essence) of existence?
This is a question that can be answered in so many different ways, because although I think there is a single meaning to life, I think everyone else interprets it and has their own different meaning to life as well. Personally, I think that the meaning of life is to test people. I think that we are tested in our faith and how we handle different things. I am a strong believer in God and I think that this world is only temporary and that there is something greater, and much better after this life.
Describe the difference between: Sartre, Kierkegaard, & Nietzsche
Kierkegaard: He believes that there are 3 stages and that people have a potential to travel through all 3. The stages include:
1. The Non-Committal Stage: a stage were people believe that "everything sucks" and that "something is missing". These people are in total existential angst and may be searching for something in the wrong places e.g. drugs, alcohol or sex.
2. Ethical Connection: this is a stage where the person finally sees a connection to others and they are ale to commit to something.
3. Religious Stage: in this stage, people start having a commitment to a higher power, not just people. They do good things not because they should, but because it's a personal choice.
Sartre: His main idea that he emphasizes in his teachings is that people, as humans, are "condemned to be free." He believes that there is no creator. Another one of his main ideas is "existence precedes essence".
He thinks this because human beings have no essence before their existence because there is no Creator.
Nietzsche: His primary belief in his teachings is "God is dead". He goes against everything that Christianity believes in and he has many stories about his different beliefs. Some of them include: The Hermit on the Mountain and his belief of the Superman.
1. The Non-Committal Stage: a stage were people believe that "everything sucks" and that "something is missing". These people are in total existential angst and may be searching for something in the wrong places e.g. drugs, alcohol or sex.
2. Ethical Connection: this is a stage where the person finally sees a connection to others and they are ale to commit to something.
3. Religious Stage: in this stage, people start having a commitment to a higher power, not just people. They do good things not because they should, but because it's a personal choice.
Sartre: His main idea that he emphasizes in his teachings is that people, as humans, are "condemned to be free." He believes that there is no creator. Another one of his main ideas is "existence precedes essence".
He thinks this because human beings have no essence before their existence because there is no Creator.
Nietzsche: His primary belief in his teachings is "God is dead". He goes against everything that Christianity believes in and he has many stories about his different beliefs. Some of them include: The Hermit on the Mountain and his belief of the Superman.
Existentialism Collage
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Ground Hog's Day Discussion Questions
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