existentialism introduction to the novel the stranger by albert camus introduction to the novel the...
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ExistentialismExistentialism
Introduction to the novel The Stranger by Albert Camus
Introduction to the novel The Stranger by Albert Camus
DefinitionDefinition
A philosophical movement that embraces diverse doctrines, BUT centers on the idea that people are free but ultimately responsible for their choices without knowing if those choices are right/wrong, good/bad
A philosophical movement that embraces diverse doctrines, BUT centers on the idea that people are free but ultimately responsible for their choices without knowing if those choices are right/wrong, good/bad
Concepts of ExistentialismConcepts of Existentialism
The only certainty is deathThe universe is meaningless
and absurdDoes not believe in abstract
principles like love and beauty
The only certainty is deathThe universe is meaningless
and absurdDoes not believe in abstract
principles like love and beauty
More Existential IdeasMore Existential IdeasThere is nothing after life
Truth is subjective
Free will exists; fate does not.
The universe is ruled by randomness
There is nothing after life
Truth is subjective
Free will exists; fate does not.
The universe is ruled by randomness
KIERKEGAARD (1813-1855)
KIERKEGAARD (1813-1855)
Believed life was an impossible choice between two conflicting attitudes
Aesthetic-immediate experienceEthical-ideals
Believed life was an impossible choice between two conflicting attitudes
Aesthetic-immediate experienceEthical-ideals
More Existential IdeasMore Existential Ideas
Believed in taking a leap of faith into a Christian life.
Believed this Christian faith would be the only thing to save an individual from despair.
Believed in taking a leap of faith into a Christian life.
Believed this Christian faith would be the only thing to save an individual from despair.
Friedrich Nietzsche(1844-1900)
Friedrich Nietzsche(1844-1900)
Tragic pessimism defines lifeThe individual will oppose itself to
the moral conformity of the majorityProclaimed the death of God and
rejected the entire Judeo-Christian moral tradition
Tragic pessimism defines lifeThe individual will oppose itself to
the moral conformity of the majorityProclaimed the death of God and
rejected the entire Judeo-Christian moral tradition
More Existential IdeasMore Existential Ideas
Man is personally and solely responsible for what he does and what he is
Every person has the power and the ability to change at ANY time in life
Individual actions are unpredictable
Man is personally and solely responsible for what he does and what he is
Every person has the power and the ability to change at ANY time in life
Individual actions are unpredictable
Martin Heidegger( 1889-1976)
Martin Heidegger( 1889-1976)
Humanity lives in an incomprehensible, indifferent world
Human beings will never understand why we are here
Each individual must choose a goal and follow it with passionate conviction, aware of the certainty of death and the ultimate meaningless of life.
Humanity lives in an incomprehensible, indifferent world
Human beings will never understand why we are here
Each individual must choose a goal and follow it with passionate conviction, aware of the certainty of death and the ultimate meaningless of life.
More Existential IdeasMore Existential Ideas
No self-identity
Individual shapes own destiny and gives meaning to his existence, not only for himself, but as it will be judged by others
No self-identity
Individual shapes own destiny and gives meaning to his existence, not only for himself, but as it will be judged by others
Jean-Paul Sartre(1905-1980)
Jean-Paul Sartre(1905-1980)
Emphasize human freedom, choice and responsibility
Humans require a rational basis for their lives but are unable to achieve this, thus life is a futile passion
“To be is to do.” - Existential motto
Emphasize human freedom, choice and responsibility
Humans require a rational basis for their lives but are unable to achieve this, thus life is a futile passion
“To be is to do.” - Existential motto
More Existential IdeasMore Existential IdeasFree will allows individuals to change
Even a refusal to choose is a choice
Few decisions are without negative consequences
Universe does NOT provide moral rules; they are constructed by humans and intended to promote responsibility for actionsTherefore, NO ONE should attempt to
impose rules of conduct on anyone!
Free will allows individuals to change
Even a refusal to choose is a choice
Few decisions are without negative consequences
Universe does NOT provide moral rules; they are constructed by humans and intended to promote responsibility for actionsTherefore, NO ONE should attempt to
impose rules of conduct on anyone!
Existentialists don’t believe inExistentialists don’t believe in
L ove B e au ty H o n or
A b s tra c t P rin c ip les
L ove B e au ty H o n or
A b s tra c t P rin c ip les
The AntiheroThe AntiheroInstead of manifesting dignity,
power, and heroism in the face of fate…
Is a protagonist whose character is at least conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis.
Instead of manifesting dignity, power, and heroism in the face of fate…
Is a protagonist whose character is at least conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis.
Absurdist TheoryAbsurdist Theory
The universe has no rational direction or scheme.
It is meaningless and absurd.
The Absurdist Theory must be addressed to grasp the full meaning of The Stranger.
The universe has no rational direction or scheme.
It is meaningless and absurd.
The Absurdist Theory must be addressed to grasp the full meaning of The Stranger.
Given: Life is meaningless.
Given: If we accept or acknowledge this, we risk falling into despair and depression.
Given: Life is meaningless.
Given: If we accept or acknowledge this, we risk falling into despair and depression.
Thus:
We create meaning for ourselves throughout our lives.
Thus:
We create meaning for ourselves throughout our lives.
But:
We know this meaning we have created is meaningless, as we are the ones feeding ourselves on illusion, to keep from going insane at the reality of the meaninglessness of human existence.
But:
We know this meaning we have created is meaningless, as we are the ones feeding ourselves on illusion, to keep from going insane at the reality of the meaninglessness of human existence.
Therefore:
We live ABSURD existences as we have created false meaning for ourselves, knowing this, and fooling ourselves.
Therefore:
We live ABSURD existences as we have created false meaning for ourselves, knowing this, and fooling ourselves.
So:The trick is to accept the meaninglessness of life, but create meaning for us so life is NOT meaningless – and this is, in effect, absurd.
So:The trick is to accept the meaninglessness of life, but create meaning for us so life is NOT meaningless – and this is, in effect, absurd.
IronyIrony
Existentialists cannot even agree on a definition of existentialism because it is an absurd idea.
Existentialists cannot even agree on a definition of existentialism because it is an absurd idea.
Wrap-UpWrap-Up
Write at least one thing about existentialism that you agree with. Explain.
Write at least two things that you disagree with. Explain.
Write at least one thing about existentialism that you agree with. Explain.
Write at least two things that you disagree with. Explain.