Existentialism 7a.4 Themes Essay Example for Free

Existentialism 7a.4 Themes EssayAfter reading this unit you will be able to conceive the concept of experientialist philosophical system. Explain features of existentialism. Identify the exp unmatchablents of existentialism their views. Deliberate on some themes in existentialism. Describe the pedagogyal philosophy of existentialism. 7A. 1INTRODUCTION Existentialism is a style of cogitate that may lead those who adopt it to a assorted conviction ab appear the world and mans disembodied spirit in it. Existentialism is mainly a European philosophy that originated before the turn of the twentieth century, but became popular after World War II (1939 45). The seeds of existentialism may be traced fend for to an earlier period of the history of philosophy. During the 18th century reason and nature were given more importance, objectivity was very much emphasized, leading to industrial and proficient developments and science was given utmost importance. From the scientifi c viewpoint, man was also regarded as an object. Man became a slave to machines in developing industrial society. Against this situation existentialism emerged as a protest against the society and asserted the supremacy of privateity of man.The existentialist philosopher philosophy is not a creation of any single philosopher. The existentialist writings scattered in the works of many philosophers, the important ones of which argon Fried full-bodied Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard, Gabriel Marcel, Martin Heidegger, Jean Paul Sartre, Karl Jaspers, Abbagnamo, Bardyaev and Albert Camus etc. In American education, such people as Maxine Greene, George Kneeler, and Van Cleve Morris, be well-known existentialists who stress various(prenominal)ism and personal ego-fulfillment. 7A. 2FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 1.Existence precedes Essence This philosophy begins from man, but from man as existent (CURRENT, Present, existing) sooner than man as a thinking subject, having a definite nature or essenc e. A man first exists, encounters himself, and defines himself afterwards. Existence comes before man is posture with value or essence. It is because to begin with man is nothing, has no essence, he will be what he makes of himself. Man defines himself in his own subjectivity (Bias, Partiality), and wanders (Walks) between choice, freedom, and existential angst (Sorrow, Trouble).Existentialism often is associated with anxiety, dread, aw beness of death, and freedom. 2. Importance of Subjectivity The Danish philosopher S Kierkegaard has said that truth is prejudiced (Personal, Individual), truth is subjectivity objectivity and abstraction (Concept, popularization, idea) are hallucinations. (Vision). Existentialism is the philosophy of subject rather than of the object. Each person by probing into the depths of ones subjectivity can discover the truth of ones being and discover his authentic consumption in career. This is a creative process which gives rise to fresh insights.3. Mans Freedom The underlying feature of human person is his freedom unfettered and unrestrained. Society and social institutions are for the sake of man and not vice versa, as believed by idealists and others. thither is no general will to which the idiosyncratic will is subject. 4. Criticism of Idealism Existentialism has emerged and developed as a reaction against idealism. Existentialist philosophers are super critical of idealism and conceptualism. They criticize idealists contention about universal element and mans good being subject to general good.They regard the search for essence a mistaken pursuit and according to them it is not the essence but existence which is real. 5. Criticism of Naturalism The existentialist philosophers are also critical of the philosophy of Naturalism. agree to naturalists, life is subject to physico bio chemical laws, which in turn, are subject to the universal law of causation. Human acts are mechanical as the actions of an animal. Thi s, however, is anathema to the existentialists and they stoutly defend the freedom of man. As a matter of fact, man is so free, according to J.P.Sartre, that he is fearful of his freedom. 6. Criticism of scientific Culture With tremendous progress in science and technology, rapid industrialization and urbanization overhear taken vex. This has given rise to crowded towns in which individual is lost. Everything is done or happens on a large scale and all personal values, individual the likes and dislikes are altogether lost sight of. Today, it is not the individual who chooses his end rather all decisions are made by computer or statistical laws and data. Thus, science has made the value of man negligible.This is why the existentialists are opposed to scientific philosophy and culture. 7. Attention on Human Weakness and Security In this scientific life of today, the individual is leading a life of tension, worries, frustrations, fear and sense of guilt. His individuality is gett ing continually blundered, therefore for security of individuality the individual should be given an environment free of worries, anxieties and tension. Thus, existentialism is a philosophical movement that is generally considered a study that pursues meaning in existence and seeks value for the existing individual.It, unlike other lines of philosophy, does not cover the individual as a concept, and values individual subjectivity over objectivity. As a result, questions regarding the meaning of life and subjective experience are seen as being of paramount importance, above all other scientific and philosophical pursuits. Check your progress 1 1. What is meant by existentialism? 2. What were the consequences of industrial developments? 3. Bring out existentialists criticism against idealism and naturalism. 4. Discuss importance of subjectivity and human freedom in terms of existentialism. 5. Existence precedes essence. Do you agree? relinquish your answer. 7A. 3CHIEF EXPONENTS OF EXISTENTIALISM Soren Kierkegaard (1813 1855) is regarded as the father of modern existentialism and is the first European Philosopher who bears the existentialist label. In his view, subjectivity and intensity should be priced as the criteria of truth and genuineness. We speckle reality in intense moments of existence especially moments of painful decision. These moments are featureized by deep anxiety, and life is known in such moments and cannot be reduced to just system of ideas. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 1900) is regarded as a key figure in the rise of existentialism.According to him Christianity is to be overcome by putting in its place the doctrine of Superman, that is, man surpassing himself. Martin Heidegger (1889 1976) in his book Being and Time, gave a very impressive analysis of human existence, the prominence of the important themes of existentialism like care, anxiety, guilt and above all death is brought out here. Jean Paul Sarte stressed that mans existence pre cedes his essence. Man is nothing else but what he purposes, he exists only in so far as he realizes himself, he is therefore nothing else but the sum of his actions, nothing else but what his life is. 7A. 4SOME RECURRING THEMES IN EXISTENTIALISM Themes such as freedom, decision, and responsibility are prominent in all existentialist philosophers. These matters constitute the core of personal being. It is the maintain of freedom and the ability to shape the future that distinguishes man from all other beings that we know on earth. It is done free and responsible decisions that man becomes authentically himself. another(prenominal) congregation of recurring existentialist themes includes such topics as finitude, guilt, alienation, despair, moods, changing feelings, emotional life of man and death.Discussions of these have not been prominent in traditional philosophy, save they are discussed at length in existentialism. For the existentialist man is never just part of the cosmos but always stands to it in a family relationship of tension with possibilities for tragic conflict. Check your progress 2 1. Name some of the existentialists. 2. Bring out the views of Sartre and Nietzsche. 3. Which are the most frequently repeated themes in existentialism. 4. save 10 sentences about the philosophy of existentialism in your words. 7A. 5EDUCATIIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EXISTENTIALISM The object of education is to give man the unity of truth In the field of education the contribution of existentialism is as follows The aim of preparation Existentialists believe that the most important kind of knowledge is about the human condition and the choices that individually(prenominal) person has to make, and that education is a process of developing consciousness about the freedom to choose and the meaning of responsibility for ones choices. Hence, the notion of group norms, authority, and established order social, political, philosophical, unearthly, and so on are rejec ted.The existentialists recognize few standards, customs to traditions, or eternal truths in this respect, existentialism is at odds with the ideas of idealism and realism. Total Development The existentialists have aimed at total development of personality through education. Education should aim at the whole man. It should aim at character formation and self realization. In the existentialist classroom, subject matter takes second place to helping the students understand and appreciate themselves as unique individuals who accept polish off responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions.Since feeling is not divorced from reason in decision making, the existentialist demands the education of the whole person, not just the mind. Subjective Knowledge The testify age of science has made too much of objective knowledge, so much so, that the term has come to mean unreal, non-sense, ignorant and irrelevant. The existentialists rightly, point out that subjective knowledge is even more important than objective knowledge. They rightly hold that truth is subjectivity. It is a human value and values are not facts. reduction of values to facts has led to widespread loss of faith in values. Therefore, along with the t separatelying of science and mathematics, the humanities, art, literature should be also be given satisfactory place in curriculum at every stage of education. Most of the ills of the modern man are due to over objective attitude. This requires a subjectivist discipline in the light of existentialist ideas. Importance of Environment The present industrial, economic, political and social environment is valueless. Therefore, it helps confusion and corruption, tensions and conflicts.The existentialists seek to provide an environment proper to self development and self consciousness. This environment in the school requires contribution from humanities, arts and literature. These will help in the development of individuality in the educand so t hat he may cease to become a cog in the social wheel. Rather he should develop to a self conscious and sensitive individual. churl Centred Education Existentialist education is child centred. It gives full freedom to the child. The instructor should help the child to know himself and recognize his being.Freedom is required for natural development. Education should convert imperfection into perfection. Education should be according to the individuals needs and abilities of the child. The relation of the child to himself should be strengthened by education. Curriculum Existentialists favor to free learners to choose what to study and also determine what is true and by what criteria to determine these truths. The curriculum would avoid systematic knowledge or structured disciplines, and the students would be free to select from many available education situations.The learners would choose the knowledge they wish to possess. The humanities are commonly given tremendous emphasis . They are explored as a means of providing students with vicarious experiences that will help unleash their own creativity and self expression. For example, rather than emphasizing historical events, existentialists focus upon the actions of historical individuals, each of whom provides possible models for the students own behaviour. Existentialists approach to education is almost an inversion of the realist approach.In the field of curriculum while the realists exclusively emphasize science, the existentialists bugger off out that science and objective education severs our relation with ourselves. Science cannot help in inner realization and achievement of peace. This, however, does not mean that science education should be ignored. It only means besides science the curriculum must include humanities, ethics and religion. In keeping with this viewpoint contemporary engineering colleges have included some philosophy, ethics and social studies, in their curriculum.Without this syn thetic approach to curriculum the aim of character formation and personality development will be defeated. Learning Experiences An existentialist curriculum would consist of experiences and subjects that lend themselves to philosophical dialogue and acts of choice making. Because the choice is personal and subjective, subjects that are emotional, aesthetic and philosophical are appropriate. Literature, drama, photographic film making, art, and so on, are important, because, they portray the human condition and choice making conditions.The curriculum would stress self expressive activities, experimentation, and media that illustrate emotions, feelings and insights. The classroom would be rich in materials that lend themselves to self expression, and the school would be a place in which the teacher and students could pursue dialogue and discussion about their lives and choices. The Teacher According to the existentialists the teacher creates an educational situation in which th e student may establish contact with himself, become conscious of it and achieve self realization. This requires existential approach in the teacher himself.He should also have an experience of self realization so that he may be capable of guiding the students in this process. The teachers role is to help students define their own essence by exposing them to various paths they may take in life and creating an environment in which they may freely choose their own preferred way. Existentialist methods focus on the individual. Learning is self-paced, self directed, and includes a great deal of individual contact with the teacher, who relates to each student openly and honestly. The student The student should feel completely free for realizing his self.Under the guidance of the teacher, the student should try to realize his self through introversion. The student accepts the discipline prescribed by the teacher and does not become irresponsible. The purpose of freedom given to him sho uld be to enable him to effect the full development of his individuality. Religious and Moral Education The existentialists particularly lay emphasis upon religion and moral education. Religion allows a person to develop himself. Religious education gives him an consciousness of his existence in the cosmos. It shows the religious path of self realization.It also makes him capable of utilizing faith in self development. Moral education is closely related to religious education. Both develop the inner self and help in the realization of the infinite within the finite. 7A. 6CRITICAL EVLAUATION Some critics (mainly traditionalists or Conservatives) claim that existentialism as philosophy for the schools has limited application because education in our society, and in most other modern societies, involves institutionalized learning and socialization, which require group instruction, restriction on individual behaviour and bureaucratic organization.Schooling is a process that limits s tudents freedom and that is based on adult authority and on the norms and beliefs of the mass or common culture. The individual existentialist, exerting his or her will and choice will encounter difficulty in school and in other large, formal organizations. Check your progress 3 1. What is the role of teacher and the student according to the existentialist? 2. Bring out the importance of learning experiences in teaching learning process. 3.What is the aim of education according to the existentialist? 4. What kind of curriculum do the existentialist recommend? 5. Bring out the importance of existentialism in todays education system. Illustrate your answer. 6. critically evaluate existentialist general and educational philosophy. 7A. 7SUMMARY Philosophy and education are two sides of the same coin, and thus different philosophies bring out a different facet of education and as education can change the philosophy of man and his life.Existentialism as a philosophical idea was revol utionary, dynamic and passionate, it changed the way of thinking and brought to forefront the cause of individualism. Moreover its views on education may seem dramatic but taken in right sense and moderateness is necessary in todays materialistic society. In this unit, we have seen the philosophy of existentialism, the criticism of them prevailing traditional rigid systems. The philosophy of existentialism brought man, his existence, his emotions and his subjectivity into forefront, they were forerunners of individualism and uniqueness of each man.The views of various exponents of existentialism and the themes they brought out makes their philosophy better understood. The philosophy of education of existentialism speaks about aims, curriculum, the role of teacher, method of teaching, learning experiences and religious and moral education. References Macquarrie, J. (1968) Existenatialism, Pelican Book. Chaube S. P. Chaube A. (1996) Foundations of Education, Publishing House, New Delhi. Chandra S. S. Sharma R. K. (2004) Philosophy of Education, Atlantic Publishers.