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Questions tagged [existentialism]

A loose title covering : the individual, the experience of choice, and the absence of rational understanding of the universe with a consequent dread or sense of absurdity in human life.

3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can Something Exist in Nothing (Outside the bounds of our Universe)?

I have always been intrigued by cosmology and the idea that there is a possibility that absolutely nothing exists beyond our universe. Now I know that there are many theories regarding the universe (...
TAEHSAEN's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
6k views

Does Sartre imitate Kant in moral philosophy?

This is not originally my question but someone deleted their question while I was typing an answer to it. Consequently, I'm reposting the question and then my answer -- n.b., I've changed the title ...
virmaior's user avatar
  • 24.8k
4 votes
1 answer
874 views

What are the Main Objections to Being and Nothingness?

I am currently in the process of reading Being and Nothingness. In the interest of getting through it, I have not been fully challenging Sartre's theory as I go along. Can someone point to the main ...
Jacob Wakem's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

what lies beyond absurdity?

What should I read to break out of the endless loop that brings me back to the absurdity of (my?) perceived reality? (I'm not talking on a human scale but on an endless time scale) If the question has ...
val's user avatar
  • 317
14 votes
10 answers
3k views

What are some philosophical arguments for accepting absurdity?

In absurdist philosophy, the Absurd arises out of the fundamental disharmony between the individual's search for meaning and the meaninglessness of the universe. As beings looking for meaning in a ...
John's user avatar
  • 143
3 votes
2 answers
346 views

Does Sartre deny the existence of an excuse?

In L'Existentialisme he writes extensively how since we are born free, condemned to be so in fact, we are only shaped by the actions and choices that we make. With this isolation, does he destroy the ...
mymotherthescorpion's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

The reality of self [closed]

A person is perceived and judged by their actions. Frequently the intention or motive of a person's actions can be misunderstood or misinterpreted for a variety of factors. A few possible factors ...
user avatar
2 votes
5 answers
2k views

Man's Relation to AI vs. God's Relation to Man

I have been a hacker and programmer since I was 14 and I have done advanced education and research in Artificial Intelligence. We all know that we do not yet have a computer entity that is "truly" ...
GµårÐïåñ's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
548 views

Origins of fear [closed]

I have a few questions about fear and loneliness What is the fear? Where does the fear come from? Why a person is afraid of loneliness? Why a lonely person tends to isolate themselves even more?
Tomi's user avatar
  • 119
4 votes
3 answers
10k views

Existentialism and the absensce of free will

One of the most famous doctrines of existentialism formulated by Jean Paul Sartre is that we are absolutely free. Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible ...
Ben's user avatar
  • 2,386
4 votes
1 answer
431 views

Is Camus 'Outsider' an argument for, or a critique of existentialism?

I've read Camus 'Outsider' twice. And have seen it acted out in the theatre. I do not think I understand it, though I can admire Camus prose style. Its often taken as canonical in existentialist ...
Mozibur Ullah's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
32k views

What does Sartre mean when he says people are "condemned to be free"?

What did Jean-Paul Sartre mean when he said that because there is no creator, humans are "Condemned to be Free"?
Kenshin's user avatar
  • 1,554
7 votes
1 answer
3k views

what are the differences of existentialism to epicurianism?

Although not an expert, I do see many similarities on both these currents' focus on man himself, aboloshing all idols and taking control of his fate. Are there any real differences between these two ...
p.a.'s user avatar
  • 289
4 votes
3 answers
546 views

'Meaning of life' as per Viktor Frankl's Man's search for Meaning

I recently read 'Man's search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl. It was a very moving book and in it the author describes three ways in which a man may find meaning in his life. 1.Through some creative ...
Kaushik's user avatar
  • 185
15 votes
12 answers
10k views

Rationality of Suicide?

I came across a story about a kid who committed suicide after carefully calculating the benefits of life and deciding it was not worth living. I am wondering if any philosopher has considered the ...
Sushi's user avatar
  • 263

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