Existencialismo | Filosofia - Toda Matéria

Summary

In this video, the concept of existentialism is explored, focusing on its emergence in 19th-century Europe and its prominence after World War II, particularly through French existentialism. The video discusses key ideas such as the human capacity for freedom, responsibility, and the construction of essence through experience. It contrasts existentialism with Aristotelian philosophy and covers the thoughts of key existentialist philosophers, including Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. The influence of existentialism extends across literature, cinema, and social movements, shaping views on human existence, freedom, and gender roles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Existentialism emerged in Europe in the late 19th century and gained significant popularity after World War II, particularly in France.
• 😀 According to existentialist philosophy, humans differ from animals because animals cannot change their essence, while humans' essence is shaped by their experiences and choices.
• 😀 Essence refers to the set of properties that define a being, according to Aristotle, while existentialists argue that human essence is constructed through living and making choices.
• 😀 Jean-Paul Sartre argued that 'existence precedes essence,' meaning humans are born without a predefined purpose and must create their own meaning in life.
• 😀 Existentialists believe that with absolute freedom comes immense responsibility, as each individual is solely responsible for their actions and decisions.
• 😀 Anguish is a key emotion for existentialists, as it arises from the realization that we are responsible for our choices, with no higher power guiding us.
• 😀 Existentialism is divided into two branches: atheist existentialism, which denies any transcendental forces influencing human life, and Christian existentialism, which believes in a divine essence that affects human existence.
• 😀 Søren Kierkegaard, considered the father of existentialism, emphasized the role of free will and the anxiety that comes with making choices. He connected existential anxiety with the biblical concept of original sin.
• 😀 Martin Heidegger explored the concept of 'being,' suggesting that humans must confront three essential realities: personal responsibility for their actions, the inevitability of death, and the passage of time.
• 😀 Simone de Beauvoir extended existentialism to feminism, arguing that women are not born women but become women through societal conditioning, challenging the biological determinism that restricts women's roles.
• 😀 Existentialism influenced literature, film, and social movements. Notable examples include Albert Camus' works on the absurdity of life, Ingmar Bergman’s films exploring existential themes, and social movements like feminism and LGBTQ rights that use existentialist arguments to challenge biological determinism.

Q & A

What is existentialism and where did it originate?

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century. It gained prominence after World War II, particularly with the development of French existentialism.

What do existentialists believe about the essence of human beings?

Existentialists believe that human essence is not predetermined, but is instead shaped by individual experiences and choices throughout life. Unlike objects like chairs, whose essence is defined before their creation, humans build their essence through existence.

What is the difference between essence and existence according to existentialist philosophy?

Essence refers to the set of properties that define a being, determined before its creation, such as a chair being designed for sitting. Existence, on the other hand, is the lived experience of a being, where humans define their essence through choices made during their lives.

How does existentialism view human freedom?

Existentialists argue that humans possess unconditional freedom to make choices and define their existence. This freedom, however, comes with responsibility, as individuals are accountable for their actions.

What role does anxiety (or anguish) play in existentialist thought?

For existentialists, anxiety is a fundamental part of human existence. It arises from the awareness of one's freedom and responsibility to create meaning in an otherwise meaningless world. This anxiety is seen as a sign of having the freedom of choice.

What are the two main branches of existentialism?

Existentialism can be divided into two branches: atheistic existentialism, which denies the existence of any transcendental forces, and Christian existentialism, which believes that human essence is an attribute of God, with a higher power influencing human life.

Who was Søren Kierkegaard, and what was his contribution to existentialism?

Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher often regarded as the father of existentialism. He was part of the Christian existentialist tradition and focused on the concepts of free will and anxiety. He described anxiety as 'the vertigo of freedom,' which highlights the discomfort of realizing one's ability to make choices.

How did Martin Heidegger influence existentialism?

Martin Heidegger, a German philosopher, contributed significantly to existentialism by emphasizing the concept of 'being.' He argued that humans must accept the realities of their finitude, mortality, and the passage of time. His philosophy distinguishes between authentic and inauthentic existence based on how individuals confront these aspects of life.

What did Jean-Paul Sartre believe about human existence?

Jean-Paul Sartre, a French philosopher, believed that human beings were not created by God, meaning life has no inherent purpose or meaning. He argued that humans are condemned to be free and must create their own meaning in life, a condition that causes feelings of absurdity and nausea.

How did Simone de Beauvoir relate existentialism to feminism?

Simone de Beauvoir applied existentialist principles to feminism, arguing that one is not born a woman but becomes one. She critiqued the societal roles assigned to women, asserting that these roles were imposed by a patriarchal society that denied women their full existence and freedom.

What impact did existentialism have on literature, cinema, and social movements?

Existentialism influenced various fields, including literature and cinema. Writers like Albert Camus explored themes of human impotence in the face of a meaningless world, while filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman addressed the existential struggle with death. Existentialist ideas also played a significant role in social movements, particularly in advocating for individual freedom and challenging deterministic views in areas like feminism and LGBTQ+ rights.