Author Jean Paul Sartre Essence Precedes Existence The classic concept of existence is that essence precedes existence w hich means that the idea of something existed before its creation For example the person who created the scissor had an idea of the shape and purpose of the scissor ID: 277832
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Slide1
Existentialism
Author: Jean Paul SartreSlide2
Essence Precedes Existence
The classic concept of existence is that “essence precedes existence,”
w
hich means that the idea of something existed before its creation. For example, the person who created the scissor had an idea of the shape and purpose of the scissor before creating it. The scissor, when in existence, will be judged according to how well it meets the expectations of the scissor.
How, do you think, does this concept apply to humans?Slide3
Existence Precedes Essence
Existentialism does not recognize the existence of God. If there is no God, then there is no essence.
Each human being creates and recreates his/her essence every moment through his/her actions and choices.
You may think that being an existentialist automatically makes you an atheist. That’s not true. Existentialist philosophers like Soren Kierkegaard believed in God, but it’s just that: a belief. God’s absence in our lives is an affirmation of our freedom, so turning to free will is the same as turning to God.Slide4
On Identity
I
dentity starts at a crucial point in young people’s lives when they realize their existence as independent agents: “I exist
!”
With
the realization of existence comes the existentialist question, “ I exist, but who am I and what should I do?”
Whatever
meaning a person can make of life has to be his or her own. We define ourselves by the choices we make
.
We
are free, and this freedom is wrapped up in a search for meaning.Slide5
On religion
Existentialism does
not accept a predetermined creed or philosophical system; therefore, no belief in religion or the existence of God or a higher moral code
T
here
is no ultimate meaning or Truth. No God or
m
oral force
will preserve us.
We
live in an alien meaningless existence on a small planet in an unimportant galaxy
.
Death
is the only guarantee in life. The lack of an afterlife provides the ongoing tension in an existentialist life: “Why struggle? Why continue, if there is no hope?”
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