HS 027: Existentialism – Nothing Means Anything… So Now What?

High Science

Philosophy episode! High Science has an existential meltdown as they discuss the core principles of existentialism and explore the ideas of this movement's most influential thinkers. Show Notes: Existentialism - Best viewed as a movement and not philosophical system or a set of doctrines “It is far better for a man to go wrong in freedom than to go right in chains” - Thomas H. Huxley Existential Crisis - Things that used to seem like common sense reveals itself as uncanny, up to chance, contingent, and relative Why do we live here instead of there? Why are we doing this job instead of that job? Why are we with this partner? Why are we following this set of social norms? There are more options the we ever imagined. We are freer than we thought. Deluding ourselves with what “had to be” This realization tends to induce much anxiety - hence “crisis” Tends to accompany a heightened awareness of death A sense of urgency to reexamine life but the clock is running out We have many choices, but we will forever be deficient on information and will never be able to make a decision with ultimate wisdom or certainty Forced to decide but always uncertain that we have done so adequately Plotting a course in the dark without adequate reason or insight a sense of disorientation, confusion, or dread in the face of an apparently meaningless or absurd world. So what do we do about it? “[Existentialism] is an attitude that recognizes the unresolvable confusion of the human world, yet resists the all-too-human temptation to resolve the confusion by grasping toward whatever appears or can be made to appear firm or familiar… The existential attitude begins with a disoriented individual facing a confused world that he [or she] cannot accept.” - Robert Soloman Concepts Despite strong differences in thinking, the existentialist thinkers share some commonalities Note: existentialist thinkers were mostly grouped well after they completed their works Philosophical thinking should begin with the human subject and not merely thought itself. Humans feel, act, live, exist. This should factor into thought on our meaning and how to live a good life Primary value seems to be authenticity the degree to which one is true to one's own personality, desires, spirit, or character, despite external pressures Starting point is the existential crisis Many existentialists have also regarded traditional systematic or academic philosophies, in both style and content, as too abstract and remote from concrete human experience. Existence precedes essence Essentialism dominated before existentialism Essentialism - The essence (nature) of something is more fundamental than its existence (the mere fact of its being) Existentialism flips this, an individual’s existence comes before and preconceived categories or labels. The actual life of the individual is their true essence. Most important consideration for individuals is that they are individuals—independently acting and responsible, conscious beings Human beings, through their own consciousness, create their own values and determine a meaning to their life The Absurd There is no meaning in the world beyond what meaning we give it. This meaninglessness also encompasses the amorality or "unfairness" of the world. This contrasts with the notion that "bad things don't happen to good people"; to the world, metaphorically speaking, there is no such thing as a good person or a bad person; what happens happens, and it may just as well happen to a "good" person as to a "bad" person. Anything can happen to anybody, a tragic event could plummet someone into direct confrontation with the absurd. What to do about a confrontation with the absurd varies from philosopher to philosopher Facticity