"Existentialism Is a Humanism "(French: "L'existentialisme est un humanisme") is a 1946 work by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 -1980). I read it when I was 18.
It is related to, what I regard as my the "greatest" philosophical achievement. My classmates were flabbergasted
and person who delivered a lecture on Gabriel Marcel was speechless for a moment.
Gabriel Honoré Marcel (1889–1973) was a French philosopher, playwright, music critic and leading Christian existentialist.
And that was the sting: Christian existentialist. Sartre was an outspoken atheist and I had read his "L'existentialisme est un humanisme".
One of the basic principles of Sartre's existentialism, as formulated in that text, was, that the existence PRECEDES the essence.
In Christianity it is exactly the other way around: the essence of man PRECEDES his existence. That is, man was created in God's image and likeness, as the bible says.
What appealed to me so much in the ideas of Sartre, was, that he argued that man creates himself in the choices in life he makes. You are the creator of your own essence.
So, here was my question to the lecturer: How can you speak of a Christian existentialist,
when existentialism means that the existence precedes the essence, while the bible and Christianity assume the opposite?
That was 52 years ago and I don't recall the answer. I only remember the effect, which my question had.
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Sartre has written many novels in which the characters behaved according or contrary to the existentialist maxim.
Let's elaborate on a few fundamental concepts of Sartre, which you definitely will recognize in the characters in his novels.
The important ones are authenticity and bad faith. Either you are authentic or you act in bad faith.
What is authenticity? To begin with, it is the antithesis of bad faith. It is a deliberate and sustained project
in which a person affirms his freedom and takes full responsibility without regret for his past, for his present situation and for his actions within that situation.
That is, he takes full responsibility for his Being-in-situation. Authenticity involves a person recognizing and valuing the fact
that he must continually choose what he is without ever being able to become what he is once and for all.
An authentic person accepts freedom, responsibility, and mortality as the inescapable existential truths of the human condition.
He strives to live his life affirming these truths rather than denying them through various projects of bad faith.
But then, what is bad faith? Well....inauthenticity! The choice not to choose, misrepresented as an inability to choose.
A project in which a person refuses to take responsibility for his actions and the situation he finds himself in, his Being-in-situation.
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After 1946 Sartre added Marxist ideas to his existentialism. He put the existentialist in a social and political context.
It shaped the generations of the 1960s, the generations who were against the bourgeois mentality and the authoritarian adults.
Main features of the 1960s were the (student's) protest against the establishment and regents, the fight for sexual emancipation and freedom.
In politics of Europe you saw big socialist and (though smaller) communist parties and when you look around today.....
you may wonder what has happened to this revolutionary zeal of those days and what caused it to disappear?
What is our legacy here?
Thank you for your attention,,,,,,,
The Discussion
[13:16] CB Axel: Thank you.
[13:16] CB Axel: I think it's coming back.
[13:16] CB Axel: I see students protesting our poor gun laws and climate change.
[13:16] herman Bergson: In a person like Alexandra Ortega-Cortez...yes :-)
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): so if i get it right inauthenticity is instead of saying that ok w was wrong you blame it as an act of god instead?
[13:17] herman Bergson: yes Bejiita or on something else....circumstances for instance
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): instead of taking responsibility yourself
[13:17] herman Bergson: indeed
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:18] herman Bergson: or you blame it on an unhappy childhood
[13:18] herman Bergson: that is why you killed your mother or something like that
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well
[13:18] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or blaming the climate changes on god instead of on our pollution
[13:18] CB Axel: Or you blame it on racism? Some people do have it harder than others. Having black skin in America makes things much more difficult.
[13:19] herman Bergson: I guess it does, CB, but yet you are responsible for your choices
[13:19] CB Axel: I agree with that.
[13:19] herman Bergson: The idea is, that you CAN make a difference
[13:20] CB Axel: OK
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Hopes
[13:20] herman Bergson: Not easy Gemma, I agree
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:20] herman Bergson: But Martin Luther King did it
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): what a mess he actually made
[13:21] CB Axel: And then got shot
[13:21] herman Bergson: He made a mess, Gemma?
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I think so
[13:21] herman Bergson: In what way?
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): He did not change the Roman church and started hundreds of different sects
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that all disagree
[13:22] herman Bergson: I see
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): dont you think?
[13:22] herman Bergson: Of course we never hear about such details
[13:22] CB Axel: Gemma, he said Martin Luther KING, not Martin Luther.
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ] I'm Sorry!
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I sorry..
[13:23] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :)
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): looks back
[13:23] herman Bergson grins
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oops
[13:23] herman Bergson: You missed the King, Gemma?
[13:23] CB Axel: I had too look back,too.
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:23] herman Bergson: Can happen
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe
[13:23] CB Axel: I was afraid you were all wondering, "Martin Luther was shot?!"
[13:24] herman Bergson: He died of old age :-))
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i was just thinking what but im still a bit tired so took no note of it
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): did not connect
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): wakes up
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): told you the time change still bugging me
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:25] herman Bergson: The question is...where did all revolutionary zeal of the 1960s go?
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its ok i bugged too, as said ee really sluggish all day
[13:25] herman Bergson: CB said ...it is coming back...
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): moved to other countires
[13:25] CB Axel: And as I said, I think it's coming back.
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): countries
[13:26] herman Bergson: If you mean a miss Cortez for instance..?
[13:26] CB Axel: I recently read an article about how the rich are causing socialism.
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): may be true cb
[13:26] herman Bergson: In what way CB?
[13:26] CB Axel: That was something I had been thinking.
[13:27] CB Axel: The rich flash their wealth and privilege making the non-rich angry.
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): those leaders who are so rich and taking money out of the countries causing groups to fight back
[13:27] herman Bergson: That is happening indeed
[13:27] CB Axel: The rich get away with not paying taxes and changing policy to favor them.
[13:27] CB Axel: That is angering those of us who are paying for their easy life-style.
[13:27] herman Bergson: Happens indeed
[13:28] CB Axel: Through our labor.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed they like to boast, what do u say high-hat
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and the taxes we pay
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and they avoid
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh tax time
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thinking they get respect that way but they dont , u dont get respect by saying F U! im better then u cause I got moneyyy!
[13:29] herman Bergson: I read about Ivanka and her Kushner....that they behave as if the rules and laws don't apply to them
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):one get hated that way
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh yes
[13:29] CB Axel: Rules and laws don't apply to them.
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): students of she whose name i hate to say
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): just look at trumps grin, it screems IM BEST IM SOOO MUCH BETTER tHEN ALL OF YOU
[13:29] herman Bergson: because you are rich you believe you can get away with anything,,,,it seems the basic attitude (in the US)
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): whenever i see that grin i want soo to punch him on it
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): for most yes
[13:30] CB Axel: Leona Helmsley got sent to jail, but she was just one. The others just keep going.
[13:30] herman Bergson: that is why a number of people are now in jail....Cohen, Manaford, Stone and others
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ot yet i am afraid
[13:31] CB Axel: We got her arrested but then didn't follow up with others. Like Trump. He's just as bad as she was. Why isn't he in jail?
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): just manafort so far
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): waits to see teh pardons begin
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but charges by the district of NY cant pardon
[13:32] herman Bergson: Manaford cant be pardoned for the 43 months from the State of New York
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that will take some time
[13:32] CB Axel: Cohen got convicted by state courts, didn't he? Trump can't pardon him.
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): nto yet
[13:32] CB Axel: Unless the governor of NY pardons them.
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): cohen is charges so far
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): big chance cb
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): then there is brexit
[13:33] herman Bergson: So we need a new angry young generation....
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): wow what a mess
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed its like a cement mixer or washing machine full of different type of poo and put on centrifuge
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and no one to pull the plug or press the emergency stop button on the machine
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): gets messier and messier
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): everything
[13:34] herman Bergson: Not too negative Bejiita :-)
[13:34] Anna Adamant Albion (anna.adamant) is online.
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but something is not right
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well hopefully something will change soo
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): keep in mind the good things still going on
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well all is not bad
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not easy some times
[13:35] herman Bergson: What I observe is that we live in a money world today
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): has it not always been??
[13:36] herman Bergson: A small group of people is shifting large amounts of money around
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in the days of royalty and feifdoms?
[13:36] herman Bergson: I'd say, not on this scale, Gemma
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and everything is based on increasing consumption
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): which can not hold
[13:36] herman Bergson: indeed Bejiita
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): back then NO one had money
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): excepts the royal courts
[13:37] CB Axel: The Royals and nobles did.
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): commoners bartered to live
[13:37] herman Bergson: in stead of revolutionaries of the 1960s we have become comsumers in the 1980s and later
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is true
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and big attitude changes
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:38] herman Bergson: yes and those in politics who say...formerly all was better get voted for....
[13:38] herman Bergson: we want to keep our consumerism
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i use to say we have gone from industrialism society, through IT society and now we are in a stress and consumption society
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): were people drive like idiots to make 20 different activities at once including shopping stuff like there was no end
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): while at the same time leave/get the kids at school and work
[13:39] herman Bergson: the constant emphasis on the mantra that the economy has to grow......
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its crazy
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): true
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and stress is not good either
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): recited every day
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): it CANT work
[13:40] herman Bergson: yes.....and it is just a belief....
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): have to plane out/get satisfied some time
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but no
[13:40] herman Bergson: There are examples enough of self sufficient economic systems....
[13:41] herman Bergson: They can work....a no growth economy
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as long as u produce what is really needed its good at that, now instead every time a new computer or mobile model or tv comes out we are supposed to throw away the one we got last year or even earlier even its nothing wrong with it
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and the trash mountains grow and grow
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): what a waste
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:43] herman Bergson: I guess we have to conclude that we have lost our revolutionary zeal since the 1980s and prefer consumerism
[13:43] herman Bergson: But according to CB, there is new hope rising
[13:44] CB Axel: Don't you think so?
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hopefullly the pendulum will swing
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): apple complaint about dripping sales, well EVERYONE maybe don't need or can afford to buy every single model you make or doesn't want to cause the one they still got work perfectly still
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it is a lot of hope to see the young ones follow through
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i don't buy new gear until i really need it, i buy good stuff that will last
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it wil take the return of unions too i think
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in some form
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:45] CB Axel: Apple must realize that. They're branching out into Netflix's realm now.
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): certainly several teachers unions did that succesfully this past year
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): went on strike and won changes
[13:46] CB Axel: Yes, Gemma. That gives me some hope.
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): was really impressed!!!!!
[13:46] herman Bergson: There....positive sounds....:-)
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:47] CB Axel: And New Jersey's legislature passed a medical aid in dying act. Their governor has promised to sign it.
[13:47] herman Bergson: Here in the Netherlands tens of thousands of high school students demonstrated against climate change
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): here too
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): walk outs
[13:47] CB Axel: It's not really a rebellion, but that's a cause I work on, so it's good news to me.
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes i know of that one
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the internet social groups get them connected
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and that is a plus
[13:48] CB Axel: Yeah. Kids all over the world demonstrated last Friday. :-)
[13:48] herman Bergson: Where there is a youth , there is hope
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): much more organized
[13:49] herman Bergson: The next step is controlling the big money in this world
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): PSBs new song "what are we gonna do about the rich" is a suiting theme here
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): while we love that problem
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:50] herman Bergson: ahh...:-)
[[13:51] CB Axel: I don't know that song.
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): me either
[13:51] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): sing it Bejiita:)
[13:51] herman Bergson: I even dont know who is PSB, Bejiita :-)
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes what is that
[13:51] herman Bergson: Wanted to suggest that too, Beertje :-))
[13:51] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :)))
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHMk9WdoFHg
[13:52] CB Axel: Pet Shop Boys
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:52] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :)
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): shall check that
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): they did a really good one about social media too
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): really catchy
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuNBJkLLnOs
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we play them at our swedish friday parties a lot
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:53] herman Bergson: °͜°
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i have one i love someone sent me a couple weeks ago
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): both of these tunes tell a lot about what we are dicussing here
[13:54] herman Bergson: what are we gonna do about the rich...:-)
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FciQeRGYFlw
[13:54] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): come on, come on....
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): try hat
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that even
[13:55] herman Bergson: It may be a sign indeed that things are slowly changing...
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (bashes trump in the had and blasts his safe open with a good load of dynamite)
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): BOOOOOOM
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Robin Hood anyone?
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sharing is caring
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): love this one
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): classic say
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh late
[13:56] herman Bergson: ok...nice ending...this music....
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa that one too gemma,
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:56] herman Bergson: Thank you all again.....
[13:57] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:57] herman Bergson: Gemma has to run., so....Class dismissed :-))
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman
[13:57] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:57] CB Axel: Thank you, Herman.
[13:57] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well not hosting
[13:57] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:57] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:58] bergfrau Apfelbaum: thank you class and Herman
[13:58] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): save the world Bejiita:)
[13:58] CB Axel: See you all Thursday. Bye until then.
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