by
by
Clare Mann
Clare Mann
www.LifeMyths.com
www.LifeMyths.com
Interest in philosophy has increased as people ponder ways in which they can make sense of their Interest in philosophy has increased as people ponder ways in which they can make sense of their lives and live a more fullled life.
lives and live a more fullled life. However, However, trying to decipher meanings from original philostrying to decipher meanings from original philosophicalophical works is an arduous task since concepts are often so complex that we are unable to apply them to our works is an arduous task since concepts are often so complex that we are unable to apply them to our everyday lives.
everyday lives. This is no less the case with ExThis is no less the case with Existential Philosophyistential Philosophy..
Anyone who has searched for a clear denition of what existentialism is will have realised how Anyone who has searched for a clear denition of what existentialism is will have realised how complex and opaque a subject it is.
complex and opaque a subject it is. Much of the difculty in dening Much of the difculty in dening existentialism is due to broadexistentialism is due to broad differences in writings and perspectives and th
differences in writings and perspectives and the lack of a specic philosophye lack of a specic philosophy. . It is not a schoolIt is not a school or system of thought, but can
or system of thought, but can be considered more a style be considered more a style of philosophising than a distinct body of of philosophising than a distinct body of knowledge, beliefs or philosophy
knowledge, beliefs or philosophy. In identifying it . In identifying it parameters, the main parameters, the main themes or styles can themes or styles can bebe pinpointed to ascertain its nature and key concerns.
pinpointed to ascertain its nature and key concerns.
Existentialism was a philosophical activity which developed in Continental Europe in the 1940s and Existentialism was a philosophical activity which developed in Continental Europe in the 1940s and 1950s. However, whilst existential writing became prolic during this
1950s. However, whilst existential writing became prolic during this period, the main ideas period, the main ideas cancan be traced back much further in the history of philosophy and even in pre-philosophical attempts to be traced back much further in the history of philosophy and even in pre-philosophical attempts to
understand the nature of existence.
understand the nature of existence. The teachings of Socrates, Buddha anThe teachings of Socrates, Buddha and Christianity all highlightd Christianity all highlight questions pertinent to understanding the human condition.
questions pertinent to understanding the human condition.
All existential ideas indicate an interest in human freedom, choice and the individual’s experience All existential ideas indicate an interest in human freedom, choice and the individual’s experience in the world and the environment in wh
in the world and the environment in which they exercise their power of choice. ich they exercise their power of choice. UnderpinningUnderpinning all existential writing is an attempt to demonstrate an existent’s freedom and to highlight where all existential writing is an attempt to demonstrate an existent’s freedom and to highlight where this has not been recognised, or even denied. This highlights the social construction of reality and this has not been recognised, or even denied. This highlights the social construction of reality and how this might blind people to fully choosing their way of being. The aim of existentialism is how this might blind people to fully choosing their way of being. The aim of existentialism is not only to acknowledge our inherent freedom but to transform our very experience of being and not only to acknowledge our inherent freedom but to transform our very experience of being and meaning-making in the world.
meaning-making in the world. As WAs Warnock (1970:2) says, ‘Someone in the process of reading andarnock (1970:2) says, ‘Someone in the process of reading and understanding an existential philosopher ought to be in the grip of a mood which actually transforms understanding an existential philosopher ought to be in the grip of a mood which actually transforms his way of seeing the world and his place in it’.
his way of seeing the world and his place in it’.
Enormous diversity exists amongst the works of existential writers, making it difcult to fully grasp Enormous diversity exists amongst the works of existential writers, making it difcult to fully grasp what existentialism is and
what existentialism is and what it is not. what it is not. For example, some For example, some writers take a theological perspectivewriters take a theological perspective whereas others are atheistic.
whereas others are atheistic. Some focus on an indivSome focus on an individual existent’s idual existent’s freedom in the world whereasfreedom in the world whereas others pinpoint ‘relating’
others pinpoint ‘relating’ as the medium for co-constituting who was the medium for co-constituting who we are. e are. Some pronounce existenceSome pronounce existence to be meaningless and absurd whereas others highlight the potential for us to relate to someone to be meaningless and absurd whereas others highlight the potential for us to relate to someone beyond ourselves as intrinsically hopeful.
beyond ourselves as intrinsically hopeful.
A n
A number of key existential writers have been inuential in developing umber of key existential writers have been inuential in developing existential ideas. existential ideas. From theFrom the works of these writers, we can extract connections and themes that arise out of their viewpoints. For works of these writers, we can extract connections and themes that arise out of their viewpoints. For a fuller explanation of their contributions, see more
a fuller explanation of their contributions, see more
When you read the original works of existential authors, their ideas are often difcult to grasp When you read the original works of existential authors, their ideas are often difcult to grasp and even more difcult to apply to you
and even more difcult to apply to your own life. r own life. A langA language is needed to make these conceptsuage is needed to make these concepts meaningful in your
meaningful in your everyday experience. everyday experience. In the following In the following section, the key themes section, the key themes in existentialin existential philosophy will be explored, then an attempt will be made to make those concepts readily applicable philosophy will be explored, then an attempt will be made to make those concepts readily applicable
to your own life through the language of Myths. to your own life through the language of Myths.
What is Existentialism?
What is Existentialism?
Key Themes in Existential Philosophy Key Themes in Existential Philosophy
Despite the diversity of approaches in existential thought, all writers focus on the nature of Despite the diversity of approaches in existential thought, all writers focus on the nature of existence and what it is
existence and what it is to exist. to exist. A A distinction is made bdistinction is made between Existence and Essetween Existence and Essence. ence. ExistenceExistence of an entity is that it is, that is has a particular being.
of an entity is that it is, that is has a particular being. Essence is what it is and its unchEssence is what it is and its unchanging,anging, universal characteristics that result in it being one entity and not another.
universal characteristics that result in it being one entity and not another.
All philosophy attempts to identify universal,
All philosophy attempts to identify universal, abstract and unchanging truths behind manifestabstract and unchanging truths behind manifest existence (Macquarrie 1972), and
existence (Macquarrie 1972), and scientic empiricism scientic empiricism studies inanimate objects in studies inanimate objects in a scientica scientic way to identify the natural and abstract world.
way to identify the natural and abstract world. Positivism, developed by Positivism, developed by Auguste Comte (1778– Auguste Comte (1778– 1857) proposed that all human beings, and society
1857) proposed that all human beings, and society in general, could be in general, could be understood by unearthingunderstood by unearthing their underlying laws and rules (Mautner 1996). In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, this their underlying laws and rules (Mautner 1996). In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, this scientic approach has been applied to understanding human beings and this is apparent in scientic approach has been applied to understanding human beings and this is apparent in behaviourism and psychology which disseminate
behaviourism and psychology which disseminate an individual’s behaviour into constituent parts.an individual’s behaviour into constituent parts.
Existential writers argue that we cannot posit a nature or essence on a human being and then make Existential writers argue that we cannot posit a nature or essence on a human being and then make conclusions or deductions because the focus is on existence. Existentialists therefore reject the conclusions or deductions because the focus is on existence. Existentialists therefore reject the application of scientic reductionist principles in understanding the nature of human existence. application of scientic reductionist principles in understanding the nature of human existence. Rather,
Rather,
The aim of existential
The aim of existential philosophyphilosophy, then, is to develop , then, is to develop a deeper anda deeper and more complete understanding of this existence – the irreducible, more complete understanding of this existence – the irreducible, indenable totality that you, me and others are. (Cooper 2003:10) indenable totality that you, me and others are. (Cooper 2003:10)
The following themes can be identied as central to this study of Existence: The following themes can be identied as central to this study of Existence:
• Existence is unique and subjective • Existence is unique and subjective • Existence is a process
• Existence is a process • W
• We have freedom te have freedom to choose our own beingo choose our own being • There are limits to our freedom
• There are limits to our freedom • Existence is Relational
• Existence is Relational • The experience of time • The experience of time • Existence is embodied • Existence is embodied
• Existence is anxious and guilty • Existence is anxious and guilty • Inauthentic nature of existence • Inauthentic nature of existence • Existence is paradoxical
• Existence is paradoxical
• Unique and subjective nature of existence • Unique and subjective nature of existence
Because each human existent is seen as irreplaceable and unique, a qualitative approach to Because each human existent is seen as irreplaceable and unique, a qualitative approach to understanding subjective exp
understanding subjective experience is deemed appropriate. erience is deemed appropriate. Different writers put difDifferent writers put differentferent emphases on the individual as alone in their freedom to choose in an undened world (despite emphases on the individual as alone in their freedom to choose in an undened world (despite social construction sugg
social construction suggesting the opposesting the opposite) or relatedness with others. ite) or relatedness with others. Each appreciates how anEach appreciates how an existent is torn between the individual and communal poles of existence.
existent is torn between the individual and communal poles of existence.
Existence is a process Existence is a process
Contrary to the positivist perspective that human existence is subject to similar laws as the natural Contrary to the positivist perspective that human existence is subject to similar laws as the natural world, existential philosophers focus on the dynamic,
world, existential philosophers focus on the dynamic, changing process of being rather than changing process of being rather than aa static, xed approach.
Freedom to choose Freedom to choose
Contrary to the scientic perspectives that conditions, genes, stimulus-response reactions etc. are Contrary to the scientic perspectives that conditions, genes, stimulus-response reactions etc. are major determinants of human experience, the existential premise is that freedom is intrinsic to major determinants of human experience, the existential premise is that freedom is intrinsic to existence.
existence. Sartre, for example, Sartre, for example, says our says our identity is a identity is a function of function of our choices. our choices. He states: ‘Man He states: ‘Man isis nothing else but what he makes of himself’. (1945/1996:259) From this perspective, conditions and nothing else but what he makes of himself’. (1945/1996:259) From this perspective, conditions and genes, for example, are the limits within which we are free to choose our being.
genes, for example, are the limits within which we are free to choose our being.
Limits to our freedom Limits to our freedom
Whilst we are free to choose our being, there are limits to this freedom.
Whilst we are free to choose our being, there are limits to this freedom. For example, we do notFor example, we do not choose the circumstances of our birth, n
choose the circumstances of our birth, nor do we choose our death. or do we choose our death. Even if we plan to take our life,Even if we plan to take our life, we do
we do not know not know if we will if we will live until that live until that time. time. Heidegger highlights Heidegger highlights our being-towards-death. our being-towards-death. HeHe is not only pointing to our ultimate demise but the many deaths we experience in the process of is not only pointing to our ultimate demise but the many deaths we experience in the process of choosing and,
choosing and, from an existential perspective, rejecting alternatives. from an existential perspective, rejecting alternatives. Death is an intrinsic aspDeath is an intrinsic aspect of ect of every moment of being since we do
every moment of being since we do not have a xed self but a phenonot have a xed self but a phenomenal, changing self. menal, changing self. However,However, we do have choice over how we face the ontological limitations of our existence.
we do have choice over how we face the ontological limitations of our existence.
Existence is Relational Existence is Relational
Whilst existential writers highlight our aloneness in a world where there is no objective rightness to Whilst existential writers highlight our aloneness in a world where there is no objective rightness to our choices, they also emphasis
our choices, they also emphasise the in-betweenness of the individual and their world. e the in-betweenness of the individual and their world. Thus all our Thus all our actions are inter-world and not intra-personal.
actions are inter-world and not intra-personal. So, in contrast to the western philosopSo, in contrast to the western philosophical view of hical view of separateness and a xed sense of
separateness and a xed sense of who we are, existential who we are, existential philosophy focuses on the inter-subjectivephilosophy focuses on the inter-subjective nature of human existence and how we co-constitute each other through our relating.
nature of human existence and how we co-constitute each other through our relating.
Buber’s concept of ‘I-It’ and ‘I-Thou’
Buber’s concept of ‘I-It’ and ‘I-Thou’ focuses on the inter-subjective nature of focuses on the inter-subjective nature of existence andexistence and different modes of relating.
different modes of relating. In the I-It mode, the other is experienced as a xed obIn the I-It mode, the other is experienced as a xed object that can beject that can be identied, dened and categorised.
identied, dened and categorised. For example, we may categorise someone as an introvFor example, we may categorise someone as an introvert or ert or friendly
friendly. . In the I-Thou mode, the other is In the I-Thou mode, the other is experienced as unique, undenable, and experienced as unique, undenable, and as a free-choosingas a free-choosing existent with innite possibilities.
existent with innite possibilities. In the I-Thou mode, any pIn the I-Thou mode, any past and present assumptions ast and present assumptions are putare put aside, allowing the existent to be seen as u
aside, allowing the existent to be seen as unxed in nature. nxed in nature. This also allows for our own This also allows for our own inniteinnite possibilities to be and for us
possibilities to be and for us to be transformed through the encounto be transformed through the encounter. ter. Often we experience the other Often we experience the other as an object in the I-It mode as no more than an interface between our own stereotypes, assumptions as an object in the I-It mode as no more than an interface between our own stereotypes, assumptions and desires. The existential perspective identies ways in which we limit the innite possibilities we and desires. The existential perspective identies ways in which we limit the innite possibilities we have and truly are.
have and truly are.
The experience of time The experience of time
When we talk of the past, present and future, we appear to consider them as distinct linear realities. When we talk of the past, present and future, we appear to consider them as distinct linear realities. However, existential philosophers see them as inseparable in that what we experience now is
However, existential philosophers see them as inseparable in that what we experience now is inextricably linked to wh
inextricably linked to what we have experienced and at we have experienced and what we anticipate. what we anticipate. Because of the unxBecause of the unxeded nature of existence, the focus is on the present becoming the future and focuses on motives rather nature of existence, the focus is on the present becoming the future and focuses on motives rather than causes.
than causes. Differences exist between philosophers as Differences exist between philosophers as to whether living has meaning beyonto whether living has meaning beyond thatd that dened by the individual.
dened by the individual. Sartre and Camus, for example, see no objective rightness Sartre and Camus, for example, see no objective rightness against whichagainst which to evaluate choices, but Marcel and Buber are more hopeful about some order or universal meaning. to evaluate choices, but Marcel and Buber are more hopeful about some order or universal meaning.
Existence is embodied Existence is embodied
The Cartesian dualistic perspective of mind/body separation is not one shared by existential The Cartesian dualistic perspective of mind/body separation is not one shared by existential philosophers.
philosophers. Instead, the existential approach is that we are our body and Instead, the existential approach is that we are our body and our bodily reactions areour bodily reactions are an immediate, direct or intuitive appreciation of the world which may precede our intellectual grasp an immediate, direct or intuitive appreciation of the world which may precede our intellectual grasp of any experience.
of any experience. Thus our embodied expThus our embodied experiences are equi-primordial, and led Heidegger to sayeriences are equi-primordial, and led Heidegger to say we are always in a ‘mood’ i.e. the human existent is intrinsically attuned to their world.
we are always in a ‘mood’ i.e. the human existent is intrinsically attuned to their world.
Existential anxiety and guilt as givens of existence Existential anxiety and guilt as givens of existence
Existential philosophers see existence as intrinsically anxious because: Existential philosophers see existence as intrinsically anxious because:
a) our freedom means we have
a) our freedom means we have to choose without any objective rightness other than socialto choose without any objective rightness other than social constructions of what is appropriate;
constructions of what is appropriate; b) in choosing we reject al
b) in choosing we reject alternative choices and never know what would have happened if ternative choices and never know what would have happened if we had taken an alternative path;
we had taken an alternative path;
c) our existence is nite and therefore choice is truly limited. c) our existence is nite and therefore choice is truly limited.
Freedom, according to Heidegger, does not only give rise to anxiety but guilt, in that we have Freedom, according to Heidegger, does not only give rise to anxiety but guilt, in that we have wronged ourselves and failed to full ou
wronged ourselves and failed to full our own potential. r own potential. This is inherent in choosingThis is inherent in choosing, since one, since one choice negates another and we never know the outcome of other choices and whether they would choice negates another and we never know the outcome of other choices and whether they would have been preferable.
have been preferable.
Inauthentic nature of existence Inauthentic nature of existence
Our attempts to deny the nature of our existence and the freedom to choose our own being is seen Our attempts to deny the nature of our existence and the freedom to choose our own being is seen by Heidegger as Inauthentic and by Sartre as living in
by Heidegger as Inauthentic and by Sartre as living in Bad Faith. Bad Faith. By relating inauthenticallyBy relating inauthentically, we, we both deny our freedom to act out of choice and the responsibility for such.
both deny our freedom to act out of choice and the responsibility for such.
W
We regularly see examples of denying our freedom by turning ourselves into an object. e regularly see examples of denying our freedom by turning ourselves into an object. WWe saye say things like, ‘I am
things like, ‘I am not a person who does this’ or ‘I am an not a person who does this’ or ‘I am an introvert and can’t speak publicly’.introvert and can’t speak publicly’. Comments like this limit our essential nature and deny the potential and possibility of us being Comments like this limit our essential nature and deny the potential and possibility of us being otherwise.
otherwise. When we act out of character, we blame someone else for ‘making’ us do somWhen we act out of character, we blame someone else for ‘making’ us do something, or ething, or some unconscious ur
some unconscious urge to do something. ge to do something. These examples are seen as inauthentic, implying that weThese examples are seen as inauthentic, implying that we have no choice and that somehow an external or internal inuence ‘made us do something’.
have no choice and that somehow an external or internal inuence ‘made us do something’.
For Heidegger, inauthenticity is related to the ‘They Self’ and giving in to all that is associated For Heidegger, inauthenticity is related to the ‘They Self’ and giving in to all that is associated with the socially agreed meanings rather than seeing them as un
with the socially agreed meanings rather than seeing them as unxed and contingent. xed and contingent. TTo acto act inauthentically is costly.
inauthentically is costly. It not only denies future possibilities to choose but relegates us to duty,It not only denies future possibilities to choose but relegates us to duty, routine and obligation
routine and obligation with the resultant existential guilt with the resultant existential guilt of this awareness. of this awareness. Once we become awareOnce we become aware of our inauthenticity, we can begin to take responsibility for our choices in the knowledge that there of our inauthenticity, we can begin to take responsibility for our choices in the knowledge that there is no objective rightness for them.
Existence is paradoxical Existence is paradoxical
Despite the emphasis on living authentically in the awareness of our freedom and nitude, existential Despite the emphasis on living authentically in the awareness of our freedom and nitude, existential philosophers do n
philosophers do not see the goal of existentialism as achieving authenticity once and for all. ot see the goal of existentialism as achieving authenticity once and for all. ThisThis would be contrary to the view of o
would be contrary to the view of our unxed, process-oriented nature. ur unxed, process-oriented nature. Instead, life is made up of Instead, life is made up of paradoxes and tensions such as freedom and li
paradoxes and tensions such as freedom and limitation, being alone and being witmitation, being alone and being with others, hopeh others, hope and despair, dependence and independence. We do not ‘arrive’ at authenticity
and despair, dependence and independence. We do not ‘arrive’ at authenticity through a one-timethrough a one-time awareness. Instead, we are pulled between the polarities of authenticity and inauthenticity.
awareness. Instead, we are pulled between the polarities of authenticity and inauthenticity.
The Myths of Life – Applied Existentialism The Myths of Life – Applied Existentialism
The existential themes of choice, freedom, responsibility, anxiety etc. require interpretation at a level The existential themes of choice, freedom, responsibility, anxiety etc. require interpretation at a level that is applicable to our own lives.
that is applicable to our own lives. This is where Myths or UnThis is where Myths or Unquestioned questioned Assumptions are a moreAssumptions are a more accessible means of examining existential concepts.
accessible means of examining existential concepts. There are various Myths, each of which There are various Myths, each of which focusesfocuses on a particular socially-constructed assumption which has become culturally embedded in everyday on a particular socially-constructed assumption which has become culturally embedded in everyday social existence.
social existence. Such is their inuence, thSuch is their inuence, that individuals believe in their obat individuals believe in their objective existence and thejective existence and the impossibility of challenging them or failing to
impossibility of challenging them or failing to realise they are realise they are merely socially-constructed assumptions.merely socially-constructed assumptions. Myths enable us to examine where
Myths enable us to examine where we are denying our fwe are denying our freedom and in so doing, living inauthentically.reedom and in so doing, living inauthentically. This is the rst step
This is the rst step in making changes to live in making changes to live authenticallyauthentically..
The following example highlights the unquestioned assumptions that give rise
The following example highlights the unquestioned assumptions that give rise to inauthentic living.to inauthentic living.
Example Example
I recently moved
I recently moved from the city to from the city to a rural town. a rural town. During a conversation During a conversation with a shop with a shop owner owner regarding this move, I was ask
regarding this move, I was asked what my husband ed what my husband did. did. However, prior However, prior to being asked, I hadto being asked, I had only told the person that I had moved to the area from the city and was enjoying the beauty of only told the person that I had moved to the area from the city and was enjoying the beauty of the countryside.
the countryside. PresumablyPresumably, he had made a num, he had made a number of assumptions abber of assumptions about me on very littleout me on very little information.
information. What were somWhat were some of these e of these assumptions?assumptions?
• I was in a relationship and not single. • I was in a relationship and not single. • I was married and not co-habiting. • I was married and not co-habiting. • I was heterosexual.
• I was heterosexual.
• Husbands are bread-winners. • Husbands are bread-winners.
• It was not necessary to ask what my occupation is. • It was not necessary to ask what my occupation is.
On the face of it, this might seem like an innocuous question, made purely to pass the time of day. On the face of it, this might seem like an innocuous question, made purely to pass the time of day. However, the unquestioned assumptions inherent in his question highlight the pervasiveness and However, the unquestioned assumptions inherent in his question highlight the pervasiveness and limitations of a ubiquitous My
limitations of a ubiquitous Myth, namely: The Group th, namely: The Group Myth, which states that Myth, which states that It is better to be part of It is better to be part of a group than an individual.
a group than an individual.
It would appear from his question that
It would appear from his question that the shopkeeper held a number of xed the shopkeeper held a number of xed beliefs about the world,beliefs about the world, and I suggest the following:
and I suggest the following:
People who are in a certain c
People who are in a certain category or group should display the behaviours of that group. In this case,ategory or group should display the behaviours of that group. In this case, women of my age should be married, heterosexual and not hold the key responsibility for the family women of my age should be married, heterosexual and not hold the key responsibility for the family income.
This example highlights inauthenticity, since such assumptions deny our freedom to choose our This example highlights inauthenticity, since such assumptions deny our freedom to choose our own being.
own being. Once we accept that society’Once we accept that society’s norms are automatically desirable ans norms are automatically desirable and preferable to other d preferable to other ways of living, we deny the innite poss
ways of living, we deny the innite possibilities of who we are and might be. ibilities of who we are and might be. WWe see ourselves ande see ourselves and others as having a xed identity rather
others as having a xed identity rather than our existence being a process, subject to than our existence being a process, subject to constant change.constant change. Whether or not we adopt the beliefs that the majority advo
Whether or not we adopt the beliefs that the majority advocates is not the issue. cates is not the issue. The awareness thatThe awareness that such beliefs are socially constructed and not concrete, xed or open to future modication is the such beliefs are socially constructed and not concrete, xed or open to future modication is the issue.
issue.
Whilst I have, of course, made a number of a
Whilst I have, of course, made a number of assumptions about this man and in doing so have objectiedssumptions about this man and in doing so have objectied him, my interpretation is only for the purpos
him, my interpretation is only for the purpose of example. e of example. TTo face another person and put aside our o face another person and put aside our assumptions and b
assumptions and beliefs about who and eliefs about who and what they might be is what they might be is a challenging task. a challenging task. Our stereotypes,Our stereotypes, desires and assumption
desires and assumptions act as a useful s act as a useful shorthand to nshorthand to negotiate the social world. egotiate the social world. However, However, theythey inhibit us from relating to ourselves and others more authentically in the I-Thou mode of relating put inhibit us from relating to ourselves and others more authentically in the I-Thou mode of relating put forward by Martin Buber
forward by Martin Buber and described earlier.and described earlier.
The language of Myths
The language of Myths allows us to apply allows us to apply existential concepts to our everyday exexistential concepts to our everyday experiences. periences. BecauseBecause they are more accessible and easily applicable to our lived experiences, they offer us the possibility they are more accessible and easily applicable to our lived experiences, they offer us the possibility of leading a more authen
of leading a more authentic life. tic life. For more information oFor more information on Myths, see n Myths, see more.more.
Conclusion Conclusion
Whilst we are able to pinpoint a number of themes and styles of philosophising in existentialism, Whilst we are able to pinpoint a number of themes and styles of philosophising in existentialism, writings are still highly disparate. The key themes have been identied here, a
writings are still highly disparate. The key themes have been identied here, a nd the interested reader nd the interested reader is encouraged to explore the original writings
is encouraged to explore the original writings of the authors to grasp of the authors to grasp their full meanings. their full meanings. However,However, for a clearer and more accessible explanation of existential concepts, I encourage you to explore the for a clearer and more accessible explanation of existential concepts, I encourage you to explore the notion of Myths. This will allow you to consider how you deny the responsibility to create
notion of Myths. This will allow you to consider how you deny the responsibility to create your ownyour own being and how you might develop more authentic ways of living your life.
being and how you might develop more authentic ways of living your life.
Existential philosophy offers a very different perspective on existence and what it is to be human. Existential philosophy offers a very different perspective on existence and what it is to be human. Its rejection of scientic methods to dene, measure and categorise i
Its rejection of scientic methods to dene, measure and categorise i ts nature offers a fresh approachts nature offers a fresh approach to understanding the hum
to understanding the human condition and experience. an condition and experience. On the one hand, thOn the one hand, this highlights our inis highlights our innitenite possibilities to b
possibilities to be, and on e, and on the other, the other, anxiety arises out anxiety arises out of the responsof the responsibility of ibility of this realisation. this realisation. ThisThis can be summed up by the
can be summed up by the following quote by Sartre (1956:296)following quote by Sartre (1956:296)
…man rst of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world and …man rst of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world and denes himself afterwards.
denes himself afterwards. If man, as the exisIf man, as the existentialist sees him, is ntentialist sees him, is notot denable, it is because to begin with he is
denable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. nothing. He will not beHe will not be anything until later and then he will be what he makes of himself. anything until later and then he will be what he makes of himself.
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