Existentialism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Existentialism - Essay Example 1. Abstract: Summary or overview of the paper 2. Introduction: An expository and informative pro and cons of existentialism 3. Arguments in support of existentialism 4. Criticism or arguments against existentialism 5. Conclusion. Abstract The purpose of this paper is to underscore the argument for and against existentialism. Even though advocates of existentialism lament that philosophy should begin with individual thinking which is the cornerstone of his or her existence, it’s also prudent to state that individual morals as well as reason and experience does not alone define the true character and origin of a person. This is the thesis of this philosophical movement. The experience one under goes determines the resultant character of that person until that person absurdly perishes. These are among other things that the author explores to understand more about existentialism. The paper is divided into an abstract, as a summary of the author’s intended research goals, in troduction of the topic arguments for and against existentialism and a conclusion of the findings. The author concludes that there is no specific definition of existentialism but it is merely a bundle of ideas that tries to marry Christianity and atheism. It is therefore, a quasi-human secularism philosophy divided into Atheist and theist existentialism. This marriage has so far received considerable criticisms and the writer agrees that it does not justify the philosophical means attached to it. The rationale supporting is that existentialism is more inclined to secular humanism that Christianity and thus theism existentialism has no place in this human philosophy. Introduction The term existentialism is an idealistic doctrine which appeals to individual freedom and responsibility in determining personal actions and motivations. It rests upon the presupposition that â€Å"essence precedes existence† (Sartre 387). Once man appears on the scene, he determines his existence (Sa rtre 388). This philosophy is strongly opposed to the traditional thinking that in search for truth, man appeals rationalism plus empiricism yet you cannot divorce reason and experience from philosophical and human development. These two brains development are sarcastically motivated and have much origin in theism than existentialism. Whereas existentialists developed their thinking based on reason together with experience, all these are a cornerstone of traditional theism. It is agreeable that reason plus experience have linkages with theistic existentialism. And whereas it presupposes that the scientific plus moral ideas cannot sufficiently explain â€Å"human existence† without individual subjective responsibility, collective responsibility cannot also be ignored either. Accordingly, it is a self-descriptive thinking theory of determining one’s own way of life and responsibility than the will of external thinking or force motivated by moral values. Besides, it negat ives the rule of law in society which is divisionary because society without rule on law is a dead society, undemocratic and ungovernable. These advocates are morally dead men looking of moralists to devour. However, this is the ideal of reason, empiricism and freedom to effectively think about what is right and wrong, which are typical moral virtues. It’s a philosophy with no definite definition but its meaning is gathered from the ideas and classical illustrations of philosophers such as â€Å"