Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Our Times and Camus Times
Is the philosophy of existentialism still relevant today? We live in a world of sweeping changes, new technology, access to more information than ever before. A global community has replaced small and isolated communities. Where does choice and responsibility come into play in the present times?
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9 comments:
I think "global community," as used so frequently today, may be a broad way of expressing an idea of unity. While we want our dissimilarities, our cultures and the things that define us as Americans, as Japanese, as Britts, as Greeks, a common brotherhood is a commendable goal. The antoagonists of this ideal are what keep it so forthright--if it was simply apart of normal life would we appreciate the enormities of it? Of course not.
From the stand point of our country, I see too much youth and vigour to believe Existentialism to be as apparent in WWII. There is too much spirit, too much desire to change and right the wrongs our country has fallen into, and to be a support for others that THE superpower of the world should be. While I am only a senior in high school, I speak from what I see. People take pride in being an American, and if they don't, they want to be able to.
Choice, systematic randomness, and control are only examples of a few ways to define the undefinable in Existentialsim. However, I have a hard time looking at Existentialism without thinking of the seperation of emotion--thereby, the loss of fundamental humanity. When seperating themselves to their secluded sheeth, Existentialists (through my understanding of the philosiphy) leave behind emotional reaction, making FEELING and BEING, in itself, random. I just do not see that in this American people, and more specifically, the next generation . . . the one that, evidently, matters most to our progression.
With how globally connected we are today, i feel that existentialism is more prominent than ever before. Decisions affect more and more people because technology allows us to link ourselves to so many communities very quickly. It so much easier to communicate with a mass audience now, which means that one person's actions may have more of an impact than ever before. Lucky that Hitlers dead...
I believe that, due to how "globably" linked we are, people don't realize how isolated we really are from each other. People go about their lives txting rather than talking to someone on the phone, or, heaven forbid, face to face. Everything is electronically controled, every step of our lives dictated by society... what would happen if we entered a state of computer failure? Electronics across the globe simultaneously dismantled...how would anyone survive? With the way everyone has completely blocked themselves from personal interaction, i feel existentialism has somehow burrowed into everyone's programming as a prominent trait, whether we recognize it or not.
You three really seem to comprehend existentialism. I enjoyed reading your comments and have internalized many of your ideas. I feel that my idea of the world has been broadened with reading your words.
I feel like we are currently in a state of post-existentialism. We know that choices dictate everything and affect everyone. Many of us operate under the opinion that life is random and absurd. So, to compensate for that we attribute blame to everything. If something goes wrong, it must be someone's fault. If something goes right, everyone fights for the credit. Also, we try to create our own meaning and purpose in life to replace the one we feel is missing. I feel like somewhere we passed up the happy medium between purpose and chance, between responsibility and blame. The result is a self-righteous and controlling society. Obviously this is not true for everyone, but overall I think that is what existentialism has evolved into. Needless to say, I am not a fan.
I've got to disagree with Adam on this one. One important component of existentialism that you've failed to mention is PASSION. From what I understand of existentialism, throwing oneself into something -- whatever you ultimately deep as being meaningful in life -- is one of the highest goals of the existentialist. Passion is not possible without emotion. So yes, while Meursault in The Stranger was fairly emotionless and dehumanized, I don't think that's the only way existentialism can take its form.
If you need further proof, just look at good ole Nietzsche -- one of the most prominent existentialist philosophers out there. He probably used more exclamation points in his writing than all other philosophers throughout history combined. If that's not passion, I don't know what is... :)
I like that bombilla. I think you're right on everything you stated. Here's the thing, though: from what I know about Existentialism, I am too; that is what's great (or not so great, personal preferance i guess) about the philosophy. While I feel I am right from my own perception, I know you are too, even though we have opposing views.
How can this be?
That, my blogging friend, is the TRUE center of Existentialsim (again, from my understanding of the philosophy)--a central, fundamental struggle. Passion, withdraw of emotion; seperation, societal intertwinement (which bman touched on as interactively fading); choice and the desire to somehow control all aspects of one's life, chance and randomness--all have been discussed and listed as Existentialst themes. However, they all contridict each other(for the sake of your time I wont embellish anymore on any one, no matter how much I want to).
I think Existentialsim is encoded with a central force of struggle. Everything about the philosophy points towards it. It is truly undefinable, right? Because the standpoints, and the perceptions taken from the philosophy can change! That is what happens during a struggle--it will not always be looked at in the same light. That is why it lasts. It is a morphing philosophy, and its interpretations coast along with society, which is why i didn't say Existentialism was gone altogether.
I say change, and i mean as in a shift of sorts. The philosophy is so intricately woven into society, it's hard to see it at its entirty. I full heartedly believe that some of those themes I mentioned earlier are just details, and that the REAL focus Existentialism is the exerting struggle between the individual components.
(Blog, not an essay...blog not an essay!) Sorry about this. :)
You get a choice in want you are able to do in this world. You have the choice to go on the internet and search or find info about everything.
You have so much knowledge just at the tips of your finger tips.
Also you have huge responsibility in looking on the internet. You have to watch what you get yourself into. You may have a choice and responsibility but it is all how you use it.
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