February 21, 2013Extansalisim is humanisimBy: Juan-Paul Sartre1. What is meant is that a human being exists first and then defines himself or his essence. 2. In a sense we individually are responsible for all humans because when we define our essence we are defining how the world should run and how all other men should handle themselves. This is so closely related to anguish because as a man discovers that he doesn’t only define himself but all of mankind he realizes that he is in fact responsible for everything that occurs. 3. Forlornness is the knowledge that god doesn’t exist and that we are all responsible for our own actions and the consequences of said actions; essentially we are no longer able to make excuses for ourselves. The student example was a showing of forlornness because the Christian values set in place were to vague in that they didn’t tell him which decision was the correct decision. Hehad to go with his own instincts, there was not doctrine to tell him what to do; the boy was completely responsible for his actions. 4. Despair means to confine yourself only to be making decisions based upon your will, and the probabilities of your action being possible. Joining a political movement involves despair becauseyou cannot be sure of what will happen. (think about the man waiting for the train, hoping that it will not jump the tracks, but he cannot ever be sure) 5. Existentialists must value the freedom of others because when it comes down to it the freedom of the person is what defines him. If he is part of a political movement it is because he has the desire to reach a state of freedom. Man’s use of his freedom is what defines him as a hero, coward, etc.... Notes- Existentialism o Was a “hipster” thing to be back in the timeo Sartre was one of the 4 “founding” existentialists  He tried to give existentialism a clear cut definition. YOU MAKE ALL OF YOUR OWN DECISIONS.o It was criticized as a very gloom and doom way of thinking, SARTE SOUGHT TO CHANGE THATo 2 main types of existentialism Christian If you want to find a purpose in life you need to embrace god Atheistic (Sartre) People create the idea of god because they feel better to think that their life has meaning and purpose, as a security blanket. To find meaning or purpose in life you must go out and find this meaning.  They both think that existence PRECEEDES our essence (for manmade or physical objects it’s the opposite)- This means that first, we first exist then we find meaning to our life.- Sartre uses the example of the paper cutter(something that was used to separate the “accordion” books; kind of like a letter opener)o The paper cutter was first created in a mind(essence) and then was produced(existed)  Three consequences of existence.- Anguisho When man makes a decision he is not only making the decision for himself but also shows his expectations for the rest of society.  Refers much more towards the “hot button” issues not just basic, everyday decisions.  Anytime you take a stance on one of these issues you’re deciding that you’re on that side and that everyone else in society should be on that same sideo Anguish comes about because it’s a huge responsibility to think that everyone should be on your side. What if you’re wrong?- Forlornnesso A priori”prior to” Most of the time referring to prior to human beings  Ex. Morality-morals existed before humans came about because of god or a higher powero A posteriori”after” After humans have came Morality-morals (right & wrong) didn’t exist before we did. We made morals, therefore we may change them. Everything is permissible because there is no god to tell us what is right and wrong. This is what Sartre thinks and what spawns forlornness.  Forlornness is caused by this because it leaves it up to the individual to decide between right and wrong.o Sartre uses the student who comes to him as an example of this.(Can’t decide to go to war or stay with his mom who would be alone without him). In the end of the day only the student can make the decision. What makes this choice the right choice? Because the student, HIMSELF, made decision. o When you go to someone for advice you normally make the decision by choosing who you ask for advice. o No matter if you go with the advice or not you still make the decision. If you shift the responsibility off to someone else then it’s still your responsibility because you chose to shift the responsibility. - Despairo You can control you but there are still things that are completelyout of your control. o Despair comes about because you realize that things are out of your control  Ex. Your friend comes to visit, and he doesn’t show up on time or doesn’t show up at all. YOU DIDN’T CONTROLTHIS As much as you plan you can’t always control everything.o Criticisms of existentialism say that if you understand these three (above) things, why you don’t just go curl up at home where you can control everything and wait for death.  Sartre says that you should go about your life knowing of the possibility that things CAN blow up in your face and go wrong BUT they could also go right. If you don’t go out and try you will never find out what you can accomplish. - Take-away message: FREEDOMo Your life is entirely free. You can choose whatever you want to do. o Even if you are feeling pushed and pulled in different directions you can just choose to go out and try something different. o We need to fight for freedom: the only way you can have complete freedom is if everyone else has that same freedom.  Ex. The right to free speech if you want the right to say whatever you want to say than everyone else has the right to say whatever they want to