Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Existentialism
From my understanding, existentialism is the philosophy that there is no innate meaning to life. It is a common misconception that this a somber philosophy; rather, it is an uplifting perspective because it allows the follower to create and appoint their own meaning and purpose to their life. Therefore, existentialism is freedom.
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At the first mention of Exsistentialism,I did not understand the concept. I figured it ridiculous, declaring and asking why would someone want to accept the absurdities of the world? So for the majority of the time, I stayed unsure about this part. A section that I did agree with fully was the idea that no one will ever trully know and understand you as a person. I concure that I give true meaning to my life, and that no one will ever know the intentions and complexities of Jasmine.
ReplyDeleteWhat I ask now is what would a contrasting philosophy be? Idealism? Transcendentalism? I'd also like to know what you guys declare yourselves as.
(I'd consider myself a Humanist/Intellectualist/Rationalist)
I AGREE I BELIEVE EXISTENTIALISM IS SOMETHING THE PERSON CREATES FOR HIMSELF OR HERSELF. ALLOWING THEM TO CREATE A DISTINCT PURPOSE TO THEIR OWN LIFE, RATHER THAN BELIEVING IN A PREDESTINED PURPOSE MADE BY A GREATER FORCE OR PERSON. CLEARLY EXISTENTIALISM IS A FREEDOM THE PERSON MAKES FOR THEMSELVES, AS YOU MENTIONED KELLY
ReplyDeleteI believe that Idealism would prove to be the contradicting philosophy in this case. Idealism places too much emphasis on what is possible, rather than what actually is.
ReplyDeleteI personally accept the idea of Atheism as the main focal point for my beliefs.
I would like to think that I contain a few existentialist qualities within myself. I do believe that we all add meaning to our own lives despite any external forces trying to ifluence us. Nevertheless, that is quite contradicting since I believe that we are all a product of our environment. How does one transcend from our environment and the influences that the people in our lives have on us?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Jasmine, transcendentalism would be one opposite of existentialism. Transcendentalists believe that answers can be found in nature while existentialists find answers within themselves, as in they make their own truths. I believe existentialism is just that, making rules and morals of your own. Sure you can believe pre-given morals such as what's written in the bible but in the end you make your own way.
ReplyDeleteI am still searching for what I declare myself as. I lean more towards Existentialism but, then again, I myself can't come to accept some imperfections of my life for what they are. - I do, however, feel like there is no innate meaning to life.
ReplyDeleteAs most of you will see, it is 3:00 a.m and I am blogging. I'm having trouble sleeping... because, this philosophy of existentialism has been on my mind a lot lately. However, a lot f things that are a part of me were found through myself and my mistakes... so, since I strongly believe in that, am I an existentialist? No, right?
This philosophy has had me analyzing everything about myself, my life, my choices, and my surroundings. I don't exactly know where I am going with this, all I know is that, I agree with some points of this.
Maybe I need to reflect on somethings some more and mature a little more to declare myself as an existentialist, or realist, or transcendentalist, or whatever?
Kafka had a great impact on me. His story was a bit... blah but, I loved it. The metamorphosis Gregor and Grete went through reminded me of every human being. - Especially us, as APES. We all morphed into intellectual beings craving more knowledge, not accepting "I don't know" or "No" as an answer. We've morphed into beings who part ourselves from the crowd to gain that much more knowledge. And to most, this is seen as ugly. (Nerd, geek, freak... etc.) Yet, we continue to feed our needs.
Some of us alienate ourselves and kind of hide because we don't feel wanted by others and that's Gregor.
Some of us flourish into beautiful intellects and put ourselves out there, and that's Grete.
We all struggle though, it's not an easy journey. And maybe that's what Kafka was telling us?
I mean, we all accept our imperfections when we reach where we want to be because we begin to say things like "if it wasn't for blah blah, blah, I wouldn't be doing this right now." etc. So, do we all become existentialists at some point?
I don't know if I'm making too much sense, I'm just vomiting my thoughts.