Existentialism :: essays research papers

ExistentialismIn our individual routines, each and every one of us strive to be thebest that we are capable of being. How peculiar this is we aim for similargoals, in so far the methods we enact are unique. Just as no two populate have the samefingerprint, no two have identical theories on how to live life. While somefollow religious outlines to aspire to a level of moral excellence, otherwisespursue different approaches. Toward the end of the Nineteenth-Century and on through the mid-Twentieth, a movement followed "existentialism," a philosophicaltheory of life, in narrate to achieve such(prenominal) a level. Even though the conceit ofexistentialism is complex, certain themes are common amongst philosophers andauthors moral individualism, exemption of weft, responsibility, alienation.Fundamental to cause existentialism is the conception of moralindividualism. Existentialism rejects traditional estimable endeavors.Philosophers since the succession of Aristotle, circ a Third-Century B.C.E. (before thecommon era), have held that everyone should aim for a common peak of ethicalachievement. Aristotle argued for the existence of a divine being, described asthe "Prime Mover," who is creditworthy for the unity and purposefulness of nature.In order for manhood to attain such a climax, everyone must imitate TheAlmightys perfect profile. Aristotles basic philosophy deduces that humanitystrives for an identical peak of moral excellence, as judged by a higher(prenominal) being(Aristotle).     Existentialism declares that the individual must choose his way in that locationis no predetermination. Since the universe is meaningless and absurd, sightmust set their accept ethical standards. The universe does not predetermine moralrules. Each soulfulness strives toward a unique moral perfection. The Nineteenth-Century Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, who was the first generator to callhimself e)existential, reacted against tr adition by insisting that the highestgood for the individual is to scratch his uniqueness. His journal reads, I mustfind a truth that is true for me ... the idea for which I can live or die"(Existentialism). Existentialists believe that godliness depends on theindividual, rather than a supreme being.Next to moral individualism, the inevitableness of choice is the mostprominent existentialist theory. Existentialism assert that people do not havea fixed nature, as other animals and plants do. Our choices determine who weare. The Twentieth-Century French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre proclaimed thatthe most outstanding choice is the choice of ourselves. Each character makeschoices that create his nature. Existence suggests freedom where mankind isopen to a future that is determined by choice and action. Choice is inescapableand central to human existence the refusal to choose is a choice. Even when a