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From Rationalism to Existentialism Quotes
From Rationalism to Existentialism: The Existentialists and Their Nineteenth-century Backgrounds
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Robert C. Solomon56 ratings, 4.25 average rating, 7 reviews
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From Rationalism to Existentialism Quotes
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“[I]f existentialism is limited to evaluation of the manner of choosing and not the what of choice, how can such 'radicalism' be defended?
One can, of course, criticize people who believe in morality (as opposed to morality itself) on existential grounds: thus Nietzsche's blasphemies against Christianity are directed against the false reasons people hold for their beliefs rather than the beliefs themselves. Nietzsche's own ‘ideals' of the Übermensch and the eternal recurrence are notoriously devoid of specific content. Similarly, Kierkegaard's philosophy carefully avoids the claim that his chosen way of life (the religious life) is 'correct' and that alternative choices ('aesthetic' or 'ethical' existence) are
'incorrect'. Yet Kierkegaard's moral indignation does emerge against the 'public' and against the man 'in the crowd' who will not choose. In Sartre as well, the brunt of attack is on those who choose for insincere reasons or refuse to recognize their choices. […] In a strict sense, existentialism is a nihilism that has no 'content', and consequently cannot directly attack the 'contents' of 'morality' or other ethical codes.
It can, however, attack and destroy the grounds upon which people base such codes. But this is not to say that existentialism is a purely destructive philosophy.
We have many times pointed out that the existentialists themselves typically adopt a strong moral and radical stance. They differ from traditional moralists in being unwilling and incapable — by their own arguments — to give a rational justification for this stance.”
― From Rationalism to Existentialism: The Existentialists and Their Nineteenth-century Backgrounds
One can, of course, criticize people who believe in morality (as opposed to morality itself) on existential grounds: thus Nietzsche's blasphemies against Christianity are directed against the false reasons people hold for their beliefs rather than the beliefs themselves. Nietzsche's own ‘ideals' of the Übermensch and the eternal recurrence are notoriously devoid of specific content. Similarly, Kierkegaard's philosophy carefully avoids the claim that his chosen way of life (the religious life) is 'correct' and that alternative choices ('aesthetic' or 'ethical' existence) are
'incorrect'. Yet Kierkegaard's moral indignation does emerge against the 'public' and against the man 'in the crowd' who will not choose. In Sartre as well, the brunt of attack is on those who choose for insincere reasons or refuse to recognize their choices. […] In a strict sense, existentialism is a nihilism that has no 'content', and consequently cannot directly attack the 'contents' of 'morality' or other ethical codes.
It can, however, attack and destroy the grounds upon which people base such codes. But this is not to say that existentialism is a purely destructive philosophy.
We have many times pointed out that the existentialists themselves typically adopt a strong moral and radical stance. They differ from traditional moralists in being unwilling and incapable — by their own arguments — to give a rational justification for this stance.”
― From Rationalism to Existentialism: The Existentialists and Their Nineteenth-century Backgrounds
“We must not suppose that philosophy and common sense - everyday practical concerns - will ever reside together peacefully. Philosophy is not only impractical, it is essentially antipractical. It opens up [...] questions and paths and directions which make practical living impossible. Heidegger quotes Nietzsche, "Philosophy is a voluntary living amid ice and mountain heights." We must never suppose, therefore, that philosophy 'leads to nothing.' It is true, Heidegger insists, that 'you can't do anything with philosophy.”
― From Rationalism to Existentialism: The Existentialists and Their Nineteenth-century Backgrounds
― From Rationalism to Existentialism: The Existentialists and Their Nineteenth-century Backgrounds
