Hatrack River Forum: Can someone explain..

This is topic Can someone explain.. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Kacie_lala33 (Member # 9784) on :

to me what existentialism is.

I have read the definition over 10 times. I think I am having a brain fart.
Laugh if you want.
[Big Grin]

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of
all poems,
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions
of suns left,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look
through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in
books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.

-- Walt Whittman

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

It's a catchall term to describe anything vaguely.

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

Do you mean 'to describe anything that is vague' or 'to describe anything in a vague way'? Not that I agree with either, merely looking to understand.

Posted by David Bowles (Member # 1021) on :

No. It means that there is no inherent meaning in the universe... we create meaning for ourselves. There is no subjective truth beyond existence and non-existence... the rest we make up through our own personal subjective POV.

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

quote:
Originally posted by vonk:
Do you mean 'to describe anything that is vague' or 'to describe anything in a vague way'? Not that I agree with either, merely looking to understand.

Take your pick, that's the beauty of the word.

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

quote:
Originally posted by David Bowles:
No. It means that there is no inherent meaning in the universe... we create meaning for ourselves. There is no subjective truth beyond existence and non-existence... the rest we make up through our own personal subjective POV.

I always thought that existentialism looked past the false 'universal truth' to help a person find their 'subjective truth' (ST) Not that there is no ST, but that that ST can be found by looking past the physical and emotional barriers society and our senses put on us. And also that that ST truth doesn't much matter. I could be wrong though. I'm probably melding multiple philosophies. :shrug:

Edit: "You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self."

This pretty much sums it up for me.

Posted by BlueWizard (Member # 9389) on :

Well, the meaning is in the root of the word - existence. Man seeking to understand his own existence and the meaning of that existence in a seemingly meaningless and random world.

By American Heritage definition -

"A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts."

The problem is that once the conversation gets started it delves off into impossibly complex tangents, and of course, is asking a question that can never truly be resolved. That complicates things.

But in the simplest terms it is man (mankind) contemplating his (their) existence.

Steve/BlueWizard

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

It doesn't mean anything. That's the beauty of it.

[ January 31, 2007, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: mr_porteiro_head ]

Posted by David Bowles (Member # 1021) on :

Hrm...

Another important aspect of it is the rejection of rational, codified objectivity and meaning (the world on such terms is absurd) in favor of personally "placed" meaning.

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

quote:
When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'

If you generalize that to apply not only to words but to life, the universe and everthing in it -- you have the essence of existential philosophy

Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :

It absolutely does mean something. David Bowles' posts have done a good job of summarizing the essentials.

Posted by Avatar300 (Member # 5108) on :

Sartre said, "Existence precedes essence."

I've always liked that quote.

Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :

mph: [No No]