Thoughts on Existentialism

repsonse to kirbymcbadass

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[Chimeratopher]

Soren Kierkegaard however was a Existentialist that also believed in God. The impact of existentialism is how we as humans retain our sense of self worth and dignity. Sartre and Nietzsche are the most well known. Sorry I dont have a camera yet, its hard to condense, but let me know if this helped.:)

[notNECESSARILYgod]

That actually did a lot! Thanks. Self worth and dignity. Would you perhaps go so far as to say Direction and Purpose?

[Chimeratopher]

I've been using psychology definitions, (which ones I honestly don't remember) The basic urges are drives, the next set of urges a step up are called motives. // I was watching "Something Within Us" .... I'm tired, bed time :( Tomorrow: Evolution, Compassion & the Shekhinah

[notNECESSARILYgod]

You seem to have missed a lot of urges, actually. We have a vast number and variety of altruistic urges. An urge to help others, to share information, to answer a cry for help, to raise our children, etc.

[Chimeratopher]

Interesting that you put it that way... All the drives are crucial to survival except one. (Hunger, Thirst, Breathing, Sleep, Temperature Maintenance, Elimination, Pain) are all related to homeostasis necessary to the specific organism's survival. Sex, however is not crucial to the survival of the organism, but of course the species.

[Celticking36]

All things have a survival instinct & the reproductive instinct.

[notNECESSARILYgod]

freedom is dependent on its definition. the common definition isn't supported by reality

[Chimeratopher]

Existentialism often has a very oppressive tone, though: "it" exits, and we're in "it"; do we have Freewill? Yes, they would say, we have through our Choices,... but only within the confinements of the cage. This does not give a real sense of freedom.

[Chimeratopher]

I think your definition was good, but the example might be off...

[Chimeratopher]

Very much so. What made Existentialism have such an impression in philosophy at the time was that, up until then philosophy was always dry and hyper-intellectual, and the emotional dynamics of meaning was never explored. Sartre's innovation to write fiction stories to illustrate the dynamics of the philosophy in action, was also new to philosophy as a whole.

[Chimeratopher]

That may be considered a reflex. The hierarchy from physical to cognative seem to be this: Reflex, Drives, Instincts, Motives, and Aspirations (such as to become a Doctor, or Community Leader etc.) These are better refined divisions however in real life the boundaries may still have elements of indistinctions.