Transcript Existentialism as a Humanism

EXISTENTIALISM AS A
HUMANISM
Jean-Paul Sartre (500-502)
CHOICE/DEFINITION
• Paragraph #1- misconceptions;
optimistic perspective---man
has a choice
• Paragraph #2- Loose use of
the word
• Paragraph #3- 2 types=
Christian & Atheist “existence
before essence”
• Paragraph #4- Defining
“existence before essence”
SUBJECTIVISM
Paragraph 5- freedom to choose & shape humanity
with choices
ANGUISH
Paragraph 6= man has responsibility for all men;
“what if everyone did so?”
Paragraph 7= personal responsibility>> Your
decisions effect all of humanity
ABANDONMENT
Paragraph 8= God doesn’t exist/need for common
values (a priori=obligatory morality)
Paragraph 9= everything is allowed>>>Man must
take ownership for his actions
Paragraph 10= “we decide our being”
DESPAIR
Paragraph 11= act without hope; don’t assume the
outcome
Paragraph 12= NO human nature; humans are not
defined by genetics/environment…ONLY their
OWN freewill
IMPORTANCE/INSPIRATION
Paragraph 13= action& self-commitment is most
important
Paragraph 14= “possibility of creating a human
community”
Paragraph 15= responsibility gives us freedom
EXISTENTIALISM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
EXPLAIN ALL ANSWERS
1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
Can we be “anything” or are we shaped by our
environmental limitations? (societal expectations,
financial limitations, intellectual inadequacies)
Does our “religion” define our morality? Is it
possible to establish a moral society without
religion?
Do we need a common moral guideline (a priori)?
In your opinion, how are our personalities formed?
(environment, heredity, mixture, self, divine plan)
Are there authorities in our world that dictate our
actions?
What values do we establish in society (our a
priori)? How do we differ from other cultures?
DISCUSSION GROUPS
• Discuss each question at length in your
groups. Points will be earned for each
contribution. (+1)
• Extra points will be given for each text
reference (Sartre’s text). (+1)
• Examples given to support answers earn
extra points as well (+1)
GOAL- Earn 10 points!  === A+ (100%)