Existentialism
Existentialism research papers are custom written by writers from Paper Masters to help you explain the tenants of existentialism and its main philosophical beliefs.
According to the New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Existentialism is a 20th Century movement that involved literature and philosophy. The main component of existentialism rests in the belief that people are entirely free and responsible for the choices they make.
Famous existential philosophers are:
- Kierkegaard
- Nietzsche
- Heidegger
- Sartre
- Beauvoir
Existentialism in the 20th Century
By the middle of the 20th century, writers and philosophers had encountered a human society that had gone past the brink of hell and back. With the two World Wars having ravaged Europe, life itself seemed morally bankrupt. Jean-Paul Sartre, the great French existentialist, basically denied any moral code, yet held the individual solely responsible for his or her actions. This ideal was prolific by many intellectuals of the day, as faith in institutions was abandoned in light of the destruction and war across the globe. In many respects, this is one of the most unsettling philosophies in existence.
Existentialism and Morals
The unsettling aspect of existentialism is that if there is to be no universal moral code, then individuals are free to make their own decisions about right and wrong, regardless of civil statues and the rights of others. Granted, we are all responsible for the choices we make. If we choose to kill, for example, we must accept the repercussions. However, knowledge of consequences and a willingness to establish one's own moral code are two different things. Human nature and existentialism proved not to be a binding mix and the philosophy behind existentialist work such as Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and the Camus' the Stranger served to drive fear into man's hearts and illustrate that the human will is capable of self-monitoring behavior.