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Welcome to the Existential Primer
Since 1996, the Existential Primer has provided a basic
introduction to existentialism and the related Continental
philosophies.
Since the 1950s philosophy has been divided into analytic schools, focused
on language and communication, and the metaphysical approaches of Continental
schools.
Existentialism attempts to describe our desire to make
rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. Unfortunately,
life might be without inherent meaning (existential atheists) or it might
be without a meaning we can understand (existential theists). Either
way, the human desires for logic and immortality are futile. We are forced
to define our own meanings, knowing they might be temporary. In this
existence…
The Individual Defines Everything.
Analytical Philosophy
Science has always been important to philosophers,
with the first philosophers being scholars in many fields. The theological
and metaphysical aspects of “truth” were also important to philosophers.
Then came the industrial revolution and a shift towards analytical
philosophy: searching for truth without considering the transcendent.
Some texts suggest the analytic movement began with
Ludwig Josef Johan Wittgenstein (1889–1951), an Austrian-born philosopher
who lived and taught in Britain. Wittgenstein influenced logical positivism,
linguistic analysis, and semiotics.
Experiential Philosophy
Continental philosophy might be viewed as a reaction
to the analytical, scientific approach to philosophy. Continental philosophers
adhere to the importance of the individual, while analytic schools
of thought tend to study groups and interactions. This is not to claim
that phenomenology and existentialism are not concerned with groups and
social philosophy, but there is a clear belief that the individual can
define the self.
Continental movements are sometimes referred to as experiential because
they are concerned with the experiences of the individual. How one person
experiences life is unique. Relating to others is possible, but only
within the limits of shared experiences.
Do not use this site as a study guide. The
incomplete nature of this Web site might result in misunderstanding
the profiled individuals. The pages are sometimes posted unedited or
appear in outline form. These documents contain excerpts from the works
of others. Read their books.
Much of the Existential Primer content has been reviewed by authors, journalists, and professors with expertise. However, neither I nor these experts can or should tell anyone what thinkers of the past “really meant” in particular works. Please learn more about
the Existential Primer, but do not assume anything you read here is more than a shallow introduction to the thinkers profiled.
Primer News
The Existential Primer will expand and improve as long
as I am alive and able to type. Since I’m not yet 40, that should be
another 50 years of more of editing, revision, and expansion.
18 Jun 2007: Marcel, May, Merleau-Ponty, and other pages updated.
4 Apr 2007: Updated chronologies for Tillich, Niebuhr, and several
others.
1 Jan 2007: Updated chronologies for Beauvoir, Dostoevsky,
Husserl.
Page ‘Placeholders’ Created
In response to visitor questions and requests, I do
plan to add more biographies and criticisms — after I finish what I consider
to be the primary pages. The placeholder pages created include: John
Barth, Karl Barth, Martin
Buber, Viktor Frankl, Rollo
May, Paul Tillich and several others.
Please be patient while I continue efforts to complete “first drafts”
of other pages.
Philosophy
Mailing List I established a loosely moderated mailing list
in 1996. The community is very active and its members tend to
know much more than I do. Collectively we are a better resource
than an individual. |
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