Types of Existentialism: Existentialist Philosophy Comes in Many Forms
Existentialism can appear in a number of different forms. Because it is not a single school of philosophy, existentialist ideas and perspectives can become integrated into any number of other philosophical schools, ideologies, and even religions. Sometimes this existentialist trend is self-conscious and deliberate; other times it is simply an expression of common human questions and problems. Ultimately more that unites rather than divides them - that is, after all, why so many trends can be brought together under a single label.
Christian Existentialism: Existentialist Thought & Christian Beliefs
The existentialism we see today is rooted most prominently in the writings of Søren Kierkegaard, and as a consequence, it might be argued that modern existentialism started out as being fundamentally Christian in nature, only later diverging into other forms. It is thus important to understand Christian existentialism in order to understand existentialism at all.
The existentialism we see today is rooted most prominently in the writings of Søren Kierkegaard, and as a consequence, it might be argued that modern existentialism started out as being fundamentally Christian in nature, only later diverging into other forms. It is thus important to understand Christian existentialism in order to understand existentialism at all.
Atheism & Existentialism: Existentialist Philosophy and Atheistic Thought
Although there is no denying that many Christian and even some Jewish theologians have made use of existentialist themes in their writings, it remains a fact that existentialism is much more readily and commonly associated with atheism than with any sort of theism, Christian or otherwise. Not all atheists are existentialists, but an existentialist is probably more likely to be an atheist than a theist - and there are good reasons for this.
Although there is no denying that many Christian and even some Jewish theologians have made use of existentialist themes in their writings, it remains a fact that existentialism is much more readily and commonly associated with atheism than with any sort of theism, Christian or otherwise. Not all atheists are existentialists, but an existentialist is probably more likely to be an atheist than a theist - and there are good reasons for this.
Nihilistic Existentialism: Nihilism, Values, and Existentialist Thought
Although existentialism is not by necessity nihilistic, nihilism does share a close affinity with existentialism because it depicts human life as ultimately trivial and meaningless. Where it parts company with existentialism, however, is in the level of resulting despair and the conclusion that therefore perhaps the best course of action is suicide.
Although existentialism is not by necessity nihilistic, nihilism does share a close affinity with existentialism because it depicts human life as ultimately trivial and meaningless. Where it parts company with existentialism, however, is in the level of resulting despair and the conclusion that therefore perhaps the best course of action is suicide.
Literary Existentialism: Existentialist Thought in Literature and Art
Because existentialism is treated as a 'lived' philosophy that is understood and explored through how one lives one's life rather than a 'system' that must be studied from books, it is not unexpected that much existentialist thought can be found in literary form (novels, plays) and not just in the traditional philosophical treatises. Indeed, some of the most important examples of existentialist writing are literary rather than purely philosophical.
Because existentialism is treated as a 'lived' philosophy that is understood and explored through how one lives one's life rather than a 'system' that must be studied from books, it is not unexpected that much existentialist thought can be found in literary form (novels, plays) and not just in the traditional philosophical treatises. Indeed, some of the most important examples of existentialist writing are literary rather than purely philosophical.
Existentialist Psychology: Existentialism and Psychological Research
Although the influence of existentialism on literature, art, and philosophy is not very surprising, its influence on psychology might be to some people. Understanding it better should help make it clear, however, that existentialism is less a philosophical school than a broader cultural movement that has involved a number of intellectual pursuits - all focused on the existence and importance of the individual human being.
Although the influence of existentialism on literature, art, and philosophy is not very surprising, its influence on psychology might be to some people. Understanding it better should help make it clear, however, that existentialism is less a philosophical school than a broader cultural movement that has involved a number of intellectual pursuits - all focused on the existence and importance of the individual human being.