EXISTENTIALISM Negative elements of existentialism, often coinciding with atheistic existentialism (Nietzche): 1.

A man-in-a-situation/ limit-situation a situation that is threatening to freedom; individuals must make choices as to whether they will do one thing over another, but experience a sense of ensnarement. 2. Objectification/dehumanization people become seen as less than human, which is marked by a sense of indignation (anger) for the objectified individual. 3. Alienation the detached observer; a person who sees the world not as a conscious member, but instead as one looking in on life from elsewhere. For example, Martin Buber utilized the contrast between I-Thou relationships (person-person) and I-It relationships (person-object). 4. The universe is chaos the idea of chance paving the way for naturalism/realism (artistic idea of nature as a series of random occurrences => truth); shown in the idea of man vs. nature. Basically, the concept that all in the universe is a chaotic, random jumble of events and stimuli. 5. Absurdity idea that truth can exist in the strange and bizarre; this is a tool that Albert Camus uses in his The Stranger => Mersault kills the Arab because it is hot, which is absurd/ridiculous. 6. Meaninglessness the world is unchangeable in how tragic it is, thus giving it a sense of hopelessness and a lack of meaning. 7. Nihilism similar to meaninglessness in that there is no meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value to life in general; basically, there is nothing in the world that truly has any truth or inherent worth. 8. Despair often leads to suicide the epitome of negative existentialism caused by a number of factors including notions of hopelessness. Ex. The woman who jumped in The Fall. *Freedom - Positive elements of existentialism, often associated with theistic existentialism (Kierkegaard). 9. I create who I am self-empowerment which takes away from the from the negative feeling of the limitsituation. Exemplified by Jean-Paul Sartre's statement: existence precedes essence or I am precedes who I am (through choices). Sartre - man-is-the-not-of-that-which-is => this establishes that there is a hole in being. A step through this hole is change and people are thrown upon their potentiality for becoming. Ex. Zuber is a teacher at SPX now, but if he were to step into the hole in being (which is change), then he could become something else, like a physicist. Also shown in Heidegger's idea of geworfenheit or thrownness - a person is just thrown into where they are in life (and also who they are). This thrownness is defined as a realization of existence that is based upon choices and actions. 10. The burden of free will because people are able to choose, they are often taken aback by their ability to do so (choose) and feel as though the action of choosing is a bother. It can be seen in the indecision present when trying to decide what to order off a restaurant's menu; you just want something to eat, but the decision about what becomes a hassle. 11. I create meaning another self-empowerment idea which leads to a greater sense of freedom. Because one is able to make decisions, it also makes sense that they have the choice to infuse meaning into whatever they please. 12. Transcendence going beyond limit-situations => the burden of choice is overcome, leading to better things; basically just the idea of exceeding something. 13. Choose your obstacles another existential decision which has its roots in people's mindsets. If one wishes for something to be a problem, it will be. But individuals have the ability (freedom) to bypass that problem and instead choose a different one. 14. Authentic vs. inauthentic what is real, true, just, right vs. what is unreal, false, unjust, and incorrect/wrong. Discerning the difference between these is a central existential problem, as shown by Jean-Batiste in The Fall he judges that his selfindulgent life is inauthentic, but believes that by knowing his Parisian life of self-indulgence was wrong, he has come closer to the authentic. 15. Man is alone. 16. Individual aspect of self-knowledge and discovery. Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) A Protestant minister who became the founder of theistic (with a God) existentialism. He coined the term existentialism because he noticed a lack of passion in Christians Soren argued that people should give up on a scientific view on God, life, and self and instead take an existential view of the self by looking at own nave, everyday existence (experiences and moods/modes). He established that people are standing on the edge of a precipice facing the abyss of nothingness. This led to concept of fleeing (angst fear with no object - no-thing). There are three modes of being: 1. The aesthetic mode, which is the dionysian, or pleasure, drive which propels us towards animalistic behavior. 2. The ethical mode, which is characterized by discipline, law and order, work, doing the right thing, being a good citizen, etc. (the Apollonian, which is another type of fleeing).

EXISTENTIALISM 3. The religious mode what Kierkegaard believed was the true mode. In it, he proposed that a person must jump (take a leap of faith) into the silent, dark abyss must lose in order to find - to find truth Friedrich Nietzche (1844-1900) He was the father of atheistic existentialism who believed that there was an angst/anxiety, but that God is dead... and we have killed him. Nietzche believed in the Dionysian abyss was competition, while fleeing the abyss was also inauthentic in that it leads to the submissive mode (Apollonian). Instead, we must descend into the abyss because everyone has the will to power, which is authentic. Like John the Baptist, Nietzche states that he has descended a ways into the abyss, but someone will come who can descend further into the abyss than he, aka the Uberman. This Uberman will create a new world order called the transvaluation of ethics, which is beyond good and evil. The Fall Albert Camus It is in the stream of consciousness which is like a monologue, but a conversation between the speaker and the reader. It creates a montage made through the free association of ideas. The main character is Jean-Batiste Clamence, meaning John the Baptist of Mercy. It is ironic because of his total lack of mercy and his flagrant misdeeds and debauchery. The setting is Mexico City, Amsterdam. Ending: the water is too cold and Jean-Batiste is incapable of jumping to save the girl; he is trapped, essentially, by his selfishness; he still cannot think of anyone but himself he embraces egoism in Amsterdam. that Daru must face regarding how to treat the prisoner. Instead of coldness, Daru shares his food and hospitality. Balducci commands Daru to take the prisoner up to the prison, but Daru chooses to set him free. Existential choices (section 1 of this review) contained in this story: limit-situation (1), objectification (2), alienation (3), absurdity (5), meaninglessness (6), I create who I am (9), the burden of free will [regarding both Daru and the prisoner] (11). The Myth of Sisyphus Albert Camus Main character Sisyphus. He, according to legend, told his wife to cast his dead body into the town square as a sick test of love. In the Underworld, he was granted permission to return to Earth in order to tell off his wife, but Sisyphus enjoyed the world of the living and didn't return to the Underworld until Mercury-Hermes took him back forcefully. Another legend states that he stole fire (wisdom) from the gods. In either case, he was forced to roll a rock up a hill, but was fated each time to let it fall just as he neared the top. Camus is concerned about Sisyphus' response when the boulder rolls down he imagines Sisyphus as superior to his fate when descending the hill to retrieve the rock => tragedy of it comes because Sisyphus is conscious of his suffering (each person has similar rock to roll, and this is only tragic when one thinks about it, as well). Sisyphus' fate belongs to him. He is an absurd hero, for he is a master of his rock and of his days. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. Key existential choice is absurdity

The Wheel of Rebirth Father Adrian van Kaam First is death (in a novel) which is similar to the rock rolling down the hill there is anxiety. This leads to a decision between being comfortably numb, crossing the bridge of the ego (that is, falling into the abyss The Fall), or committing suicide. If one choose to follow the bridge of the ego, they will experience rebirth, which will lead to hope, faith, and love. SHORT STORIES The Guest Albert Camus The characters are Daru (a schoolteacher isolated in nature), the Arab prisoner, and Balducci. Takes place in isolated Algeria in snowy weather. The plot of the story revolves around the decisions

A Hint of an Explanation Graham Greene The characters are David (a Catholic priest/ a boy in the flashback), Blacker (hater of the Eucharist and doubter of God - atheist), and the narrator (an Agnostic). Framework story (flashback) in which Blacker tries to coax David into stealing him a Eucharist-wafer. David does it, but when Blacker threatens in the dark of night, David ponders the value of the Eucharist. In the end, David eats it, realizing its value. Blacker, distraught and downtrodden (Blacker weeps) because he cannot attain the Eucharist, retires home without harming David. Key quote - ..it's almost as if I had seen that Thing [the Devil/Blacker] weeping for its inevitable defeat => leads to David becoming happy in the priesthood.