1. English 12 Waltham High School E. Kenney
Existentialism
English 12
Waltham High School
E. Kenney

2. A History
Renaissance –human achievement in science, technology, and the arts thrives; confidence in the ability of man
Enlightenment – extension of Renaissance achievements; the universe is neatly structured; man is the center of all things
Industrialism – entrance of the machine into everyday life; mobility and restructuring in social classes; development of critical ways of thinking (the beginnings of existentialism in Europe)

3. World War I and Modernism – political, national, and social upheaval; loss of faith in the ability of human beings; more focus on the individual; existentialism starts to take root in Europe
World War II and Post-Modernism – continuation of the chaos of modernism; radical ways of thinking; rebellion against long-held beliefs; existentialism flourishes in Europe and moves to America

4. Jean-Paul Sartre
June 21, 1905 – April 15, 1980
French existentialist philosopher
Dramatist, screenwriter, novelist, and critic
Captured by Nazis in WWII (one year)
Active participant in French Resistance to German occupation

5. Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964, but declined the prize
Taught philosophy and wrote philosophical treatises, political pamphlets, novels, plays
Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964, but declined the prize
He “always refused official distinctions.”
Also said he feared “it would limit the impact of his writing.”

6. Existentialism is…
“…a doctrine which makes human life possible and, in addition, declares that every truth and every action implies a human setting and a human subjectivity” (10).
A way of making “every man aware of what he is and to make the full responsibility of his existence rest on him” (16).
from Existentialism and Human Emotions

7. More simply put?
…an introspective (reflective or conscious-raising) way of thinking and being that eliminates all pre-conceived notions of life and focuses upon one’s freedom in a world devoid of inherent meaning.
…a way of thinking and being that emphasizes the existence of the individual over his or her essence.

8. Major Themes of Existentialism As summarized by Gordon E
Major Themes of Existentialism As summarized by Gordon E. Bigelow, but paraphrased by me 
Existence Before Essence
Who am I? Man is a universe within himself.
Human experience has to do with how one lives, not just that he lives.
The Cushions Are the Essence of the Chair!
Reason is Inadequate in Dealing with the Depths of Human Life
Our reasoning is imperfect and we feel and do terrible things that cannot be explained with reason.
Man is made of everything – good and bad. We are full of contradictions.

9. Alienation or Estrangement
Man lives separated from God, Nature, other men, and his own true self.
Man can only count on himself, but even then his own nature is flawed and he doesn’t necessarily know who he is.
“Fear and Trembling” & Anxiety
We constantly have to make decisions that result in anguish because our morality is tested.

10. The Encounter with Nothingness
Since man is alienated, what else is there but Nothingness?
Why bother searching for meaning?
Death is the only certainty.
Only our choices matter.
Freedom
Each man is responsible for himself and is free.
Man is the sum of the acts of his life.