Political Crossfire Forums

Corona · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 155 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

Existentialism states that man is nothing but what he makes of himself, and that a man should make himself into what he believe all humanity should be like.
If you asked a man 'What if everyone was like you?' and he replied simply 'Not everyone is' he has a guilty conscience.
Existentialism holds a man responsible for his actions, he cannot blame society or bad luck or God. Existentialist believe that man is condemned to be free, and must accept the responsibility. As a result, existentialists are definately not religious.
Existentialism is based off rational thought and logic.

This is just a touch on the surface, so add on and discuss.

LostSoul3412 · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 7781

Corona wrote: This is just a touch on the surface, so add on and discuss.

Why?

What's the claim you're trying to make?

Corona · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 155 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

LostSoul3412 wrote: Corona wrote: This is just a touch on the surface, so add on and discuss.

Why?

What's the claim you're trying to make?

That existentialism is the best philosophy. But I was trying to get it a little more defined also.

LostSoul3412 · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 7781

Corona wrote: That existentialism is the best philosophy. But I was trying to get it a little more defined also.

There is no "best" philosophy, merely different means to the same end.

Fido · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 3936

Corona wrote: Existentialism states that man is nothing but what he makes of himself, and that a man should make himself into what he believe all humanity should be like.
If you asked a man 'What if everyone was like you?' and he replied simply 'Not everyone is' he has a guilty conscience.
Existentialism holds a man responsible for his actions, he cannot blame society or bad luck or God. Existentialist believe that man is condemned to be free, and must accept the responsibility. As a result, existentialists are definately not religious.
Existentialism is based off rational thought and logic.

This is just a touch on the surface, so add on and discuss.

Is that what existentialism means? I have thought of myself as an existentialist the greater part of my life; and I thought it meant: You believe you exist so prove it.

Gus · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 7312 Location: Tampa, FL

Corona wrote: As a result, existentialists are definately not religious.
Existentialism is based off rational thought and logic.

Like Kierkegaard, the founder of existentialism?

ubikk · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 2091

There is an existential, comedy movie out now starring Will Ferrell and Maggie Gyllenhal called Stranger than Fiction .

Fido · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 3936

Fido wrote: Corona wrote: Existentialism states that man is nothing but what he makes of himself, and that a man should make himself into what he believe all humanity should be like.
If you asked a man 'What if everyone was like you?' and he replied simply 'Not everyone is' he has a guilty conscience.
Existentialism holds a man responsible for his actions, he cannot blame society or bad luck or God. Existentialist believe that man is condemned to be free, and must accept the responsibility. As a result, existentialists are definately not religious.
Existentialism is based off rational thought and logic.

This is just a touch on the surface, so add on and discuss.

Is that what existentialism means? I have thought of myself as an existentialist the greater part of my life; and I thought it meant: You believe you exist so prove it.

Lest I aggravate my haste; let me suggest: We all take existence for granted. People be-have like they exist, and be-lieve they exist; and only run into problems with conceptualizing existence, because the conceptualization of anything requires proof and understanding; but who has those? So existence is not troubling unless one is troubled by it. People are more often troubled by a facet of existence than by existence proper. It is meaning rather than being that people stumble upon. Existence is a postulate, and significance is a proof. When you mean, you are.

The Impeacher · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2928 Location: Everywhere

Gus wrote: Corona wrote: As a result, existentialists are definately not religious.
Existentialism is based off rational thought and logic.

Like Kierkegaard, the founder of existentialism?

Oh God no you did not just type that. No one "founds" an ism for the most part, they are created categorically when one looks back at work thematically.

That said, your point pretty much still stands. I'd rather embrace the void than make a leap of faith.

That said, it seems that Kierkegaard is an existentialist in denial, rather than a proponet of "existentialism".

Gus · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 7312 Location: Tampa, FL

The Impeacher wrote: Gus wrote: Corona wrote: As a result, existentialists are definately not religious.
Existentialism is based off rational thought and logic.

Like Kierkegaard, the founder of existentialism?

Oh God no you did not just type that. No one "founds" an ism for the most part, they are created categorically when one looks back at work thematically.

That said, your point pretty much still stands. I'd rather embrace the void than make a leap of faith.

That said, it seems that Kierkegaard is an existentialist in denial, rather than a proponet of "existentialism".
Haha well you know what I mean. Of course he doesn't hold claim over thoughts or anything, he was just the first person to really solidify it all on paper and get the ball rolling...