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Existential Theory

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Shyra Kate Catalya
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35 views24 pages

Existential Theory

Uploaded by

Shyra Kate Catalya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Existential Theory Report

Definition
Existential Theory, where an entire
generation was forced to confront
the human condition and the
anxiety-provoking givens of death,
freedom, and meaninglessness.
(Baert 2015)
Definition
Existentialism as an ethical
theory (Webber 2018), reframing
our conceptions of virtue and
human flourishing (McMullin 2019)
Definition
Alasdair MacIntyre (1981) has
drawn on classical existentialism
to illuminate how we exist in the
meanings and self-interpretations
that we create for ourselves.
Proponents

Søren Kierkegaard

Danish religious philosopher. He is


thought to be one of the first philosophers
of existential theory. His main philosophy
would argue that a divine command from
God transcends ethics.
Proponents

Friedrich Nietzsche

A famous twentieth-century philosophy


focusing on man's existential situation. In
his works, Nietzsche questioned the basis
of good and evil. He believed heaven was
an unreal place or “the world of ideas”.
Proponents

Jean-Paul Sartre

He was a key figure in the existentialism


philosophical movement, and his work
has had a significant influence on 20th-
century sociology, postcolonial theories
and general literary studies.
Existential Theory
Definition
Existential theory is rooted in the
philosophical idea that humans have
free choice, and because of that free
choice, we can create purpose and
meaning in our lives. Existential
theory suggests that we choose who
we desire to be.
What are the main ideas of existentialism?
Existentialism focuses on personal choice and
the question:
What does it mean to exist?
Existence precedes essence
The idea is that we exist and find meaning later.
We have free choice to create our meaning and
develop our values. The concept explains that
this is our purpose in life: To create meaning.
Existential philosophers believe that when
we’re born, we’re “nothing.” Instead, through
developing meaning, we become what we
make of ourselves.
Freedom
Emphasizes the importance of unrestricted
freedom for individuals to make their own
choices. These choices, due to the freedom that
individuals have, allow them to:
create goals
make something out of yourself
create meaningful experiences in your life
Absurdity
Existential philosophers connect the concept of
the absurdity of life to the creation of meaning.
Absurdity refers to the idea that there are a lot
of unknown circumstances in life, and anything
can happen to you at any time.
Anxiety
Anxiety often occurs when you become aware
of the absurdity of life. Existentialists suggest
that the awareness of your freedom and
responsibility can often lead to a sense of
overwhelming dread.
Authenticity
Authenticity is another crucial element of
existentialist theory. Authenticity is about being
genuine and making choices in a way that is
fundamental to who you are regardless of
external pressures.
Abandonment
This concept within existential theory comes
from the idea that humans are their only source
of value. The premise theorizes that this
knowledge creates feelings of loneliness and
isolation.
Benefit Limitation

Existentialism has the benefit of One of the significant


helping people create meaning limitations of existentialism is
in their lives. By becoming the idea of responsibility.
aware of freedom and choice, Existentialists assert the
individuals can mitigate their concept of personal freedom
anxiety about the unknown. and responsibility.
Existentialism Approach in
Analyzing Literature
It is a Philosophical and literary perspective that
focuses on the experience of an individual person
and the way he or she understands the world.
Existentialism is an approach that is mainly
expressed through literature. It emphasizes the
existence of the individual person as a free and
responsible human agent determining their own
development through acts of the will.

Additionally, Existentialism in literature tends


towards character analysis pieces. The medium is
based on the view that humans define their own
meaning in life and try to make rational decisions
despite existing in an irrational universe.
Aspects of Existentialism
in Literature:
● Human Free Will
● Human Nature
● Personal Responsibility
Themes:
●Existence precedes essence
●Absurdity
●Nihilism
●Condemned to be free
●Radical Free Choice
●Lack of meaning in Life
●Absence of the hand of God
It is expressed through all literature mediums
such as novels, poems, plays, and short stories.
Literature Film/Movie
Thank You

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