🌄World Literature II
9 min read•Last Updated on August 21, 2024
Existentialism emerged as a philosophical movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on individual existence, freedom, and choice. It challenged traditional philosophical systems and religious doctrines, emphasizing human subjective experience and personal responsibility.
This movement significantly influenced World Literature II by introducing new themes and narrative techniques. Authors explored the human condition through characters grappling with alienation, absurdity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Søren Kierkegaard - Wikipedia View original
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Leap of faith - Wikipedia View original
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Existentialism – Wikipedia View original
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Søren Kierkegaard - Wikipedia View original
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Leap of faith - Wikipedia View original
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Søren Kierkegaard - Wikipedia View original
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Leap of faith - Wikipedia View original
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Existentialism – Wikipedia View original
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Søren Kierkegaard - Wikipedia View original
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Absurdity refers to the inherent meaninglessness and irrationality of human existence, highlighting the conflict between individuals’ search for purpose and the chaotic, indifferent universe. This concept often emerges in various forms of art and literature, emphasizing the struggles of characters who grapple with a lack of meaning and clarity in their lives. It connects deeply to existentialist thought, where the absurd is a central theme that illustrates the human condition and the limits of reason.
Term 1 of 31
Absurdity refers to the inherent meaninglessness and irrationality of human existence, highlighting the conflict between individuals’ search for purpose and the chaotic, indifferent universe. This concept often emerges in various forms of art and literature, emphasizing the struggles of characters who grapple with a lack of meaning and clarity in their lives. It connects deeply to existentialist thought, where the absurd is a central theme that illustrates the human condition and the limits of reason.
Term 1 of 31
Alienation refers to a feeling of disconnection or estrangement from oneself, others, or society as a whole. This concept often highlights the struggles individuals face in modern life, reflecting their isolation amidst societal changes and personal crises. In literature, it serves as a key theme, illustrating the impact of modernity, existentialism, and absurdity on the human experience.
Isolation: A state of being separated from others, often resulting in feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Existential Crisis: A moment when an individual questions their life’s meaning, purpose, and value, often leading to feelings of alienation.
Nihilism: A philosophical belief that life lacks inherent meaning or value, which can contribute to feelings of alienation.
Absurdity refers to the inherent meaninglessness and irrationality of human existence, highlighting the conflict between individuals’ search for purpose and the chaotic, indifferent universe. This concept often emerges in various forms of art and literature, emphasizing the struggles of characters who grapple with a lack of meaning and clarity in their lives. It connects deeply to existentialist thought, where the absurd is a central theme that illustrates the human condition and the limits of reason.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, asserting that individuals create their own meaning in an indifferent universe.
Nihilism: A belief that life is devoid of objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value, often associated with skepticism and pessimism about human existence.
Theater of the Absurd: A dramatic genre that reflects the absurdity of human existence through illogical situations, fragmented narratives, and nonsensical dialogue, aiming to provoke thought rather than convey a coherent story.
Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher and theologian, often regarded as the father of existentialism. He emphasized individual existence, choice, and the importance of subjective experience, laying the groundwork for later existentialist thinkers. His work reflects a deep concern with the human condition, exploring concepts like anxiety, despair, and faith.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement focusing on individual freedom, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life, emphasizing personal responsibility in creating one's own values.
Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that recognizes the conflict between humans' search for meaning and the indifferent universe, suggesting that life is ultimately devoid of inherent meaning.
Authenticity: The degree to which an individual's actions align with their true self and values, reflecting genuine choices rather than societal expectations.
Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher known for his profound ideas about morality, existence, and the human condition. His works challenged traditional values and introduced concepts like the 'will to power' and 'eternal recurrence,' which influenced existentialist and absurdist thought. Nietzsche's exploration of individualism and meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe laid important groundwork for later existentialist thinkers and poets.
Will to Power: A central concept in Nietzsche's philosophy, referring to the fundamental driving force of human beings to assert and enhance their own power and influence.
Übermensch: A key idea in Nietzsche's work, representing an individual who transcends conventional morality to create their own values and meaning.
Nihilism: The philosophical belief that life lacks inherent meaning or value, which Nietzsche critically examined as a consequence of the decline of religious belief.
The term übermensch, or 'overman,' was introduced by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche to describe an individual who transcends conventional morality to create their own values and meaning in life. This concept is pivotal in existentialism, emphasizing personal agency, the rejection of societal norms, and the pursuit of authenticity and self-creation. The übermensch embodies the idea of self-overcoming and serves as an ideal for humanity's potential.
Will to Power: A central concept in Nietzsche's philosophy that refers to the fundamental driving force within humans to assert and enhance their own existence and influence.
Nihilism: The philosophical belief that life lacks inherent meaning or value, often seen as a consequence of the decline of religious and moral absolutes.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, often focusing on the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Nihilism is a philosophical belief that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. It often leads to skepticism regarding moral truths and societal norms, challenging the foundations of meaning in existence. This perspective is crucial in understanding various literary movements, particularly in how characters confront or reject meaning in their lives, reflecting broader cultural anxieties in periods of change and uncertainty.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, often addressing themes of absurdity and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe.
Absurdism: A philosophy that explores the conflict between human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life and the cold, indifferent universe that offers none.
Determinism: The philosophical doctrine that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes, suggesting a lack of free will.
Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, and critic, widely recognized as one of the leading figures of 20th-century existentialism. His works delve into the complexities of human existence, freedom, and the burden of choice, significantly influencing both literature and philosophy.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life, often exploring themes of angst and absurdity.
Nausea: A philosophical novel by Sartre that explores existential themes through the experiences of its protagonist, highlighting feelings of alienation and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe.
Being and Nothingness: Sartre's seminal philosophical work that elaborates on his ideas about consciousness, existence, and the nature of being, laying foundational concepts for existentialist thought.
Freedom and responsibility refer to the philosophical concept that individuals possess the ability to make choices and take actions, while also bearing the consequences of those actions. This connection is crucial in existentialist thought, where the emphasis on individual autonomy leads to the recognition that with freedom comes an inherent responsibility for one’s choices and their impact on oneself and others.
Authenticity: The quality of being true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, often emphasized in existentialist literature as a key aspect of exercising freedom.
Bad Faith: A concept in existentialism that describes the denial of one's own freedom and responsibility, often through self-deception or conforming to societal expectations.
Existential Anxiety: The feeling of unease or dread that arises from the awareness of one's freedom and the weight of personal responsibility for one's choices.
Bad faith refers to the act of deceiving oneself or others about one’s true motivations, often by denying personal responsibility or authenticity. It is a central concept in existential philosophy, particularly in the context of freedom and choice, where individuals avoid confronting their true selves and responsibilities to escape the anxiety that comes with absolute freedom.
Authenticity: The quality of being genuine or true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, often contrasted with bad faith.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, exploring the meaning of life in an indifferent universe.
Self-deception: The process of lying to oneself or holding a belief that is contrary to evidence or reality, which is often linked to bad faith.
Authenticity refers to the quality of being genuine, real, and true to oneself, often emphasizing individual freedom and personal responsibility. In literature, it connects deeply with characters' struggles to find their own identity and purpose, particularly in existentialist thought where the quest for meaning is central. The notion of authenticity serves as a lens through which existentialist themes are explored, highlighting the tension between societal expectations and personal truth.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, asserting that individuals create their own meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that explores the conflict between humans' desire for meaning and the chaotic, indifferent nature of the universe.
Alienation: A feeling of disconnection or estrangement from oneself or society, often experienced by characters in existentialist literature as they grapple with their search for authenticity.
Being and Nothingness is a fundamental concept in existentialist philosophy, particularly as articulated by Jean-Paul Sartre, which explores the nature of existence, consciousness, and the human experience of freedom. This concept emphasizes the contrast between 'being'—the state of existence filled with essence, identity, and substance—and 'nothingness,' which represents the absence of meaning, value, or purpose, underscoring the idea that humans must navigate a world that lacks inherent significance.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, emphasizing the role of personal responsibility in creating meaning in an absurd world.
Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that highlights the conflict between humans' search for meaning and the indifferent universe, suggesting that life has no inherent meaning.
Bad Faith: A concept in Sartrean existentialism referring to self-deception or lying to oneself to avoid the anxiety of freedom and responsibility.
Existential angst refers to the deep-seated anxiety and unease that arises from the individual's confrontation with the inherent meaninglessness of life, the weight of freedom, and the burden of personal choice. This feeling often reflects a struggle with self-identity, authenticity, and the human condition, leading to a sense of disorientation in a seemingly indifferent universe. In literature and philosophy, this concept resonates deeply with themes of isolation, despair, and the absurdity of existence.
Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that emphasizes the conflict between humans' desire for meaning and the silent, indifferent universe, suggesting that life is inherently meaningless.
Authenticity: The degree to which an individual is true to their own personality, spirit, or character, as opposed to conforming to external pressures or societal expectations.
Nihilism: A philosophical viewpoint asserting that life lacks inherent meaning or value, often leading to a rejection of moral principles and existential despair.
Kafkaesque describes situations that are surreal, nightmarish, or illogically complex, often highlighting the absurdity and helplessness of individuals in bureaucratic systems. This term is rooted in the works of Franz Kafka, where protagonists face inexplicable circumstances that evoke feelings of alienation, anxiety, and despair, reflecting existential themes prevalent in modern literature.
Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that emphasizes the conflict between human beings' desire to find inherent meaning in life and the silent, indifferent universe.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual freedom, choice, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent or chaotic world.
Alienation: A feeling of disconnection or estrangement from one's surroundings, society, or self, often explored in existential literature.
Facticity refers to the concrete details of a person's life that influence their existence, including their social context, history, and the conditions they find themselves in. It highlights how individual experiences, limitations, and circumstances shape a person's identity and choices, ultimately impacting their freedom and responsibility within the framework of existential philosophy.
existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, asserting that individuals must create their own meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
authenticity: The degree to which an individual aligns their actions and choices with their true self, often seen as a goal within existential thought, in contrast to living according to societal expectations.
freedom: The power or right of individuals to make choices that shape their own lives, central to existentialist thought as it ties closely to the notion of responsibility for one's actions.
Transcendence refers to the act of going beyond ordinary limits or surpassing typical experiences, especially in a spiritual or philosophical context. In existentialism, it embodies the idea of individuals seeking to rise above the constraints of their existence, allowing them to create meaning in an otherwise indifferent universe. This concept highlights the struggle for authenticity and self-definition amidst societal expectations.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, positing that individuals are responsible for giving their own lives meaning.
Authenticity: The quality of being true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, often associated with living an original and self-defined life.
Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that suggests human beings exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe and must confront the inherent lack of meaning in life.
Radical freedom is the philosophical concept that emphasizes the idea that individuals possess complete autonomy to make choices and create meaning in their lives, free from external constraints or predetermined paths. This notion is central to existentialism, as it highlights the responsibility that comes with such freedom, suggesting that individuals must confront the consequences of their choices and define their essence through actions.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, asserting that people are responsible for giving their own lives meaning.
Absurdism: A philosophy that explores the conflict between humans' desire for meaning and the indifferent universe, often associated with thinkers like Albert Camus.
Authenticity: The degree to which an individual is true to their own personality, spirit, or character, often emphasized as essential in making genuine choices in the context of radical freedom.
Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, and feminist known for her influential works that explored the nature of existence, freedom, and the condition of women. Her most famous work, 'The Second Sex,' challenged traditional views of women's roles in society and laid the groundwork for modern feminist thought, connecting existentialism with the struggle for gender equality.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice, often exploring themes of absurdity and alienation.
Feminism: A movement advocating for women's rights and equality, seeking to address and challenge societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality.
The Second Sex: 'The Second Sex' is Beauvoir's groundbreaking book published in 1949 that examines the historical and cultural treatment of women, arguing that one is not born a woman but becomes one through socialization.
The term 'the second sex' refers to the concept of women being perceived as the 'other' in relation to men, which was notably popularized by Simone de Beauvoir in her groundbreaking work. This idea highlights the societal and cultural constructions that position women in a subordinate role, influencing various areas such as philosophy, literature, and feminist thought. The term emphasizes the need to understand gender as a social construct, paving the way for deeper discussions about identity, equality, and liberation.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, often emphasizing the absurdity of life and the necessity of personal responsibility.
Feminist theory: An analytical framework that seeks to understand and critique the ways in which gender affects social structures and individual experiences, advocating for women's rights and gender equality.
Gender roles: Socially constructed roles and behaviors considered appropriate for men and women, which often dictate expectations in personal and professional contexts.
Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the study of conscious experience from the first-person perspective. It seeks to explore how individuals perceive and make sense of their experiences, focusing on the structures of experience and consciousness rather than external reality. This approach has been influential in existentialism, as it aligns with the emphasis on individual existence and subjective experience.
Intentionality: The concept that consciousness is always directed toward something, meaning that every act of consciousness is about an object or experience.
Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, often examining the meaning and absurdity of life.
Bracketing: A methodological practice in phenomenology where researchers set aside their preconceptions and biases to examine experiences purely as they are perceived.