NationStates Jolt Archive

I need help with the whole thing in general.

I understand some of the small basics about it, like how we have our own choices to make, and that we are responsible for our actions. I understand the general lack of a God or higher power, but it's the existence part that confuses me.

I'm trying to focus more on Sartre's Existentialism. If you know anything about it and would like to share, that'd be great.

*gets the popcorn and sits down to watch*

*gets the popcorn and sits down to watch*

yeah, no kidding...

I need help with the whole thing in general.

I understand some of the small basics about it, like how we have our own choices to make, and that we are responsible for our actions. I understand the general lack of a God or higher power, but it's the existence part that confuses me.

I'm trying to focus more on Sartre's Existentialism. If you know anything about it and would like to share, that'd be great.

Damnit...I don't have the time (or energy at this point) to give you a real good answer...but I'll make it snappy before I leave.

First of all, Existentialism doesn't not automatically denote a lack of faith in god or a higher power. In fact, many existentialists were diests, thus believing in a higher power, however not using that belief as a crutch or excuse.

In general, that is what existentialism is: the belief that people are free, independant, and able to make what they want of themselves, regardless of situational effects. It says that individuals all have the potential (with or without the collective consciousness theory) to make whatever they want of themselves, regardless of economical status or whatever excuse they can come up with for not fullfilling their ultimate goals. Also in this are the ideas of, like I said, the collective consciousness, in which it is believed that all individuals draw from humanity's central consciousness, as well as ideas on concepts as basic as right from wrong or good vs. evil.

When I get the time, I'll give you a much more indepth answer specific to Sartre (they all blend together) but perhaps someone else will reply before I get the chance. Good luck with it though...philosophy kicks ass.

*gets the popcorn and sits down to watch*
Any bets on how this ends up? I'll put down ten bucks that it ends up with everyone saying "No you're wrong," without many valid points.

Any bets on how this ends up? I'll put down ten bucks that it ends up with everyone saying "No you're wrong," without many valid points.
And a tenner says it'll be a descent into flaming before post #50.

Any bets on how this ends up? I'll put down ten bucks that it ends up with everyone saying "No you're wrong," without many valid points.

There really can't be a right or a wrong on the subject though...Existentialism is what it is...especially something as specific as a certain man's (Sartre) opinion on it. Debating it would be like debating the fact that 2+2=4.

Now as long as someone doesn't barge in forcing their unfounded religious beliefs on people who aren't even implying anything about them, this thread should progress nicely.

He's not asking how you feel about it...he's asking what it is.

Philosophy, at least in the way that most people think of it, is totally subjective and therefore pointless to debate. Claiming that there's such a thing like a collective consciousness is like telling people a neurologist when you don't know anything about science. What point are you trying to make by debating this kind of "subjective scienctific" part of philosopy? There's plenty of more worthwhile things to talk about.

There really can't be a right or a wrong on the subject though...Existentialism is what it is...especially something as specific as a certain man's (Sartre) opinion on it. Debating it would be like debating the fact that 2+2=4.

Now as long as someone doesn't barge in forcing their unfounded religious beliefs on people who aren't even implying anything about them, this thread should progress nicely.

He's not asking how you feel about it...he's asking what it is.

Its gonna turn into a "how you feel about it thing though..." I can feel it ;)

thanks... i'm not really good with philosophy, but i have to be for this... it is for 15% of my grade. i want to keep it simple, but if i do that there doesn't seem to be too much to use, and i don't want to get into too much detail because i'll go on for way too long.

i wouldn't be surprised if people start popping in and knifing eachother. tends to happen with threads like these, even though no harm is meant. i couldn't just do an essay on generation x...

If I were you, I'd save myself the trouble and look on Wikipedia or Google.

*bump* (for 15% of a grade)

I need help with the whole thing in general.

I understand some of the small basics about it, like how we have our own choices to make, and that we are responsible for our actions. I understand the general lack of a God or higher power, but it's the existence part that confuses me.

I'm trying to focus more on Sartre's Existentialism. If you know anything about it and would like to share, that'd be great.

What's the point?

Existentialism, a concept prevelant in Modernist writing, though seen in Shakespeare's Macbeth and Melville's Captain Ahab is the concept that because there is no meaning in Life one has to make the meaning themselves. While it can simply mean that, it often implies the extreme version, in which one character, so bent on fighting nihilism, he or she will put everyone else in jeapardy to achieve the goal, which upon completion creates meaning.

For example, Captain Ahab wants revenge against Moby Dick, so he makes it his goal to take down Moby Dick even if it will kill his crew and possibly himself. His life is only meaningful if he pursues and finally fulfills his goal. Everyone else is merely a tool or a means to help him. It's often a very selfish philosophy.

There's more to it than that, but I don't want to go into it.

If you read Hardy's THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE, Eustacia Vye, and to a lesser extent Clym Yeobright, are prime examples.

I'm trying to focus more on Sartre's Existentialism. If you know anything about it and would like to share, that'd be great.
my free advice would be to read some of his writings if you want to learn more. la nausee (nausia) would be a good place to start, as its his most famous, an important book to existentialist though/study, and although i havnt read it, a friend says that he enjoyed it....of course me and him have had many a discussion on thus spoke zarathustra...so you never really know with him.
i remember when i first came accross existentialism, i was probably about 12, read the stranger (l'etranger) in french and really enjoyed it. although i wouldnt necessarily call myself an existentialist if you asked me to describe myself, i would certainly say its impacted my philosophy and my life.
that wasnt very helpful, but i would love to further discuss existentialsim with regards to sartre or just in general
edit: a good place to start in learning about new topics ideas or people is always wikipedia, should get you well on your way, and they guarenteed have pages on sarter, his plays and books, his communism, camus, existentialism in gerneral etc etc.

RE: Sartre's Existentialism

I'll be able to give you a decent history of Sartre, as well as a big pop-culture connection (i.e. The Matrix), if you're able to wait until sometime tomorrow afternoon/evening. It's currently 3 am here and I have class tomorrow...