Research Paper On Soren Kierkegaard

Philosophy consists of many diverse schools of thought, one of which is Existentialism. Existentialism is based upon the analysis of human existence, our purpose in life, and how we find ourselves existing in the world. In other words, existentialism is a form of philosophy which is focused on finding the self and our meaning of life through our ability to have free will in our choices. Existentialists believe that humans have free will and that humans determine their fate through their own choices in life; however, existentialists do not believe that humans are innately good but ruined by external forces or that people have no fault in their affairs. (Allaboutphilosophy.org). There have been many existentialist philosophers throughout history, those of which include Soren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, but most importantly, Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche was a highly influential German philosopher who developed his central points of his own philosophy which was centered around the idea that people should explore what it means to be human and not let society establish what is morally correct. Nietzche is an nineteenth century existentialist philosopher who believed that man was responsible for his own actions; he foresaw the dissolution of traditional religion and metaphysics (Wilkerson). Nietzsche suggests that by defeating societal norms and embracing every aspect of life, humans can achieve their full potential.

Existentialism is a philosophy that puts emphasis on the existence of a person’s freedom or life. In a human point of view, it means to believe in oneself, not a group or religion. (33)

Soren Kierkegaard is a Danish philosopher and theologian who attempted to deliver his existentialist point of views. Specifically, Kierkegaard emphasizes the need for humans to take responsibility for their actions and go beyond their “socially imposed identities” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). According to his earliest major work “Either/Or,” he suggests humans are reluctantly stuck between two spheres of life that they must choose between: aesthetic or ethical. He delves into what constitutes a life as either and suggests the practicalities associated with each choice. He stresses the importance of being responsible for the truth and living according to the truth we’ve committed to. In addition, the existential choice can be

Existentialism is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre, was published in 1945 at the height of Existentialism's cultural resurgence. As Sartre states in his opening line, his purpose is to “offer a defence of existentialism against some charges that have been brought against it.” (Sartre, 1945) At a time where Existentialism was heavily associated with wearing black and smoking (Fahlenbrach, 2012) Sartre felt the need to draw attention to its philosophical and more meaningful aspects, beyond it simply being a passing trend. Sartre outlines, “Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. That is the first principle of existentialism” (Sartre, 1945) This is rooted in what Sartre believes to be the basis of all Existential

Jean Paul Sartre's Existential philosophy posits that is in man, and in man alone, that existence precedes essence. Simply put, Sartre means that man is first, and only subsequently to his “isness” does he become this or that. The implication in Sartre's philosophy is that man must create his own essence: it is in being thrown into the world through consciounsess intent, loving, struggling, experiencing and being in the world that man is alllowed to define itself. Yet, the definition always remains open ended: we cannot say that a human is definitively this or that before its death and indeed, it is the ultimate nothingness of death that being is defined. The concepts that Sartre examines in Being and Nothingness

Sartre was the prominent philosopher of the existentialism movement. As an atheist, Sartre supported against the existence of God, and argued that for pre-determined human essence to exist, a designer must exist. Whereas, medieval philosophers like Plato, believed in the existence of God and that we had an essence before existing. Sartre rejects

  Existentialism is a philosophy dealing with man's aloneness in the universe. Either there is no God or else God stands apart from man, leaving him free will to make his own choices. From this basic idea of man being alone in an uncertain and purposeless world, many related ideas have developed. One great worry of existentialist writers is that life is becoming too complicated and too impersonal. People become more and more involved with their work, which is taking them away from their friends, family, and culture. However, these provide the only "meaning" that life could possibly have. One author prominently known for his work with existential ideas was Franz

Kierkegaard emphasizes that Christian love is the only real love. Kierkegaard also says that erotic love and friendship are just temporal love that one experiences.

Sartre’s stance that human existence precedes essence directly ties into his notion of rational freedom and responsibility. Existence precedes essence means that there is no predetermined human essence and that there is no human nature fixed in advance of human existence. Furthermore, if I create my essence then I am wholly responsible for the person that I am. In other words, one could say that humans exist and subsequently make themselves who they are by their actions, choices, as well as creating an image of what men ought to be. “Man simple is” (Sartre 28). When we are born we have no essence, but through experiences

One such book was The Stranger, where the main character himself was an existentialist, yet had never defined himself as such. Meursault’s existentialism show when addressing the priest “asking why I call him “monsieur” and not “father” … I told him he wasn’t my father” (120). This point that Meursault notes is simply the name father is for one who gave him life, not to an old man who tells he must trust God to help him. Although Meursault is an existentialist he has lived in a more secluded life in comparison to those who have access today technology which allows one to more than just two or three perspectives or ideologies. Another book was The Metamorphosis, where again the main character had showed many signs of being an existentialist. One such line that shows this is when Gregor says “Just don’t stay in bed being useless” (7). He makes this point after realizing something is very wrong with, yet does not care for himself. Both these characters may be existentialists, however the time period for these characters are roughly the same where neither had access to what people have today. Even those who do have access to such technology seem to want to give the idea that it’s hurting more than helping

The Merriam – Webster Dictionary defines existentialism as a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad (Merriam, 2011). In other words, an existentialist believes that our natures are the natures we make for ourselves, the meaning of our existence is that we just exist and there may or may not be a meaning for the existence, and we have to individually decide what is right or wrong and good or bad for ourselves. No one can answer any of those things for us. A good

Before I begin to discuss the replies Sartre provides for each objection raised, it is important to establish what Sartre believes existentialism to be. That is, it is important to understand exactly what Sartre is defending. Sartre begins his definition by defining the two groups of existentialists: Christian existentialists and atheistic existentialists. Sartre aligns himself with the atheistic existentialists for the remainder of the essay. What the existentialist philosophers have in common, and where Sartre begins his definition, is the idea that existence precedes essence. The reader is provided the example of a paper cutter.

Existentialism can be defined as a branch of philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It focuses on the question of human existence and the feeling that there is no purpose or explanation for existence. Although they never used the term existentialism in their works, Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche are considered two of the first and significant philosophers to the existentialist movement. They focused on subjective human experience and were interested in the struggle to escape boredom and find meaning in life. Kierkegaard and Nietzsche also stressed the importance of making free choices and how these choices change the identity of the individual. Both Kierkegaard and Nietzsche felt that life is

Sartre’s atheist existentialism presented in his lecture mainly states that there is no human nature in which man can place his trust; therefore, man is free to choose and is the definer of himself through his own choices and actions. Sartre begins by listing some prevalent oppositions against existentialism. For example, the Communists blame it for inducing “quietism and despair,” because the idea that there is no code of ethics to tell man what he ought to do and become generates fear that might discourage people from committing themselves to action. Christians reproach existentialism for

     Set in Hell, the vision of the underworld is nothing the characters imagined as they are escorted to a Second Empire styled hotel. This is all ironic, in the fact that Sartre never believed in perdition. He uses this fictitious place to persuade his audience. Hell is used as a