I've long thought it was high time 1950s-style Existentialism came back into style. Apart from failing to mention the danger of bad faith actions, an excellent explainer.
Thanks Nigel! So glad you bring up bad faith. It's a concept that has been, and still is, very important in my life. Thinking I might dedicate a future article to bad faith if there's any interest -- a sort of 'existentialism in practice' vibe. Thanks for your support!
To me this just sounds like complicating and intellectualising what every parent has taught their children from the year dot and that is take responsiblity for your actions, follow your dreams, be honest with yourself and everyone else and live your best life.
Absolutely! But I think existentialism also addresses the anxiety that taking on personal responsibility for your life can create. There's a Sartre quote I really like: "There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk." To me, there's a lot of power in this idea, but it can also lead me into anxiety -- and acting in bad faith as Nigel mentions above. I'll write more about bad faith in the future, but it's essentially seeking to escape existential anxiety (or crisis) by giving up your personal freedom and responsibility to live by false values that are more conducive to existing in a society that is so deeply fuelled by conformity. Very tasty stuff. Thanks for reading!
I've long thought it was high time 1950s-style Existentialism came back into style. Apart from failing to mention the danger of bad faith actions, an excellent explainer.
Thanks Nigel! So glad you bring up bad faith. It's a concept that has been, and still is, very important in my life. Thinking I might dedicate a future article to bad faith if there's any interest -- a sort of 'existentialism in practice' vibe. Thanks for your support!
I shall eagerly await your 'Existentialism in practice' module!
To me this just sounds like complicating and intellectualising what every parent has taught their children from the year dot and that is take responsiblity for your actions, follow your dreams, be honest with yourself and everyone else and live your best life.
Absolutely! But I think existentialism also addresses the anxiety that taking on personal responsibility for your life can create. There's a Sartre quote I really like: "There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk." To me, there's a lot of power in this idea, but it can also lead me into anxiety -- and acting in bad faith as Nigel mentions above. I'll write more about bad faith in the future, but it's essentially seeking to escape existential anxiety (or crisis) by giving up your personal freedom and responsibility to live by false values that are more conducive to existing in a society that is so deeply fuelled by conformity. Very tasty stuff. Thanks for reading!