Existentialism and Humanism

Book Description

3 Reviews

• 

  A brief essay about the main theme of Sartre's Existentialism: a concrete meditation about humanity and its Existence, (not its Essence)!

  Is this helpful?

  Wax said on Feb 15, 2010 | Add your feedback

• *** This comment contains spoilers! ***

  

  Paper Knife

  The cover of this book "Existentialism Is a Humanism" is way cool -- reminding me of Satre's example of human's "existence precedes essence". Human is blessed by that characteristic, as opposed to a paper knife or a chair in a park -- which are made by craftsmen with a purpose/function before the p ... (continue)

  The cover of this book "Existentialism Is a Humanism" is way cool -- reminding me of Satre's example of human's "existence precedes essence". Human is blessed by that characteristic, as opposed to a paper knife or a chair in a park -- which are made by craftsmen with a purpose/function before the production -- "essence precedes existence" in this case. Yet, with this special gift of free will, "men are doomed to be free", and have to make choices for themselves. Simultaneously, each of these individual choice casts its impact onto the human-kind, so a man is also interconnected with the humanity in the choices that each makes. With this freedom, people would feel angst -- which is the uncertainty and insecurity with the results of these choices bring forth and each man has to be responsive to each and single choice he makes without blaming on an unfortunate or less than desirable outcome on his downtrodden luck.

  In short, the main purpose of this book is Satre's defense on the three main bad raps on existentialism, such as atheistic and debasing the value of the mass/humanity of advancing by collective action. Satre also expound what is his idea of existential humanism means -- the concept of God and its set of a priori moral codes does not need to be the center of an existentialists moral code to achieve a humanist/non-anarchic-selfish outcome excluding of the other.

  P.S. -- The example of God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son is brilliant -- how can Abraham be certain that the voice of angel is that of God and not feigned by the devil -- particularly when the test is so abhorrent?

  Is this helpful?

  Search Serg said on Jul 2, 2008 | Add your feedback

• Existentialism is a Humanism

  Interesting so far.
  A philosophical book.

  Is this helpful?

  Chloe Brittenham said on Jul 22, 2007 | Add your feedback

Book Details

• Rating:
  (11)
  • 5 stars
  • 4 stars
  • 3 stars
  • 2 stars
  • 1 star
• English Books
• Paperback 80 Pages
• Edition: New Ed
• ISBN-10: 041331300X
• ISBN-13: 9780413313003
• Publisher: Methuen
• Pub date: Apr 25, 1974
• Dimensions: 1161 mm x 710 mm x 65 mm Just how big is that?
• In other languages: other languages Livres Français, Libros en Español, Libri Italiani, Svenska böcker

Prices Change currency & sellers