Continential Philosophy Essay

Continental Philosophy Essay ii

Abstract

Assignment: Continental Philosophy Essay

As implied by the sub-title of this assignment, I will explore the contrast as it relates to the ideals contributed to existentialism and those of unified optimism as purported by these schools of thought.

2. Assignment: Continental Philosophy Essay

• Resources: Ch. 8 in Philosophy: The Power of Ideas

• Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum

• Write a 700-1050-word analytical essay in which you describe the historical development of Continental philosophy’s existentialism and phenomenology as a response to Hegelian idealism. Pay special attention to the key contributors and principle issues of the time.

Follow APA style guidelines, and post your essay as an attachment.

Continental Philosophy Essay 1

The Intellectualization of Existence

As the scientific revolution began to use its theorems and ideas to shape the consciousness of the modern man, so did existentialism seek to break the boundaries of unified thought as it relates to consciousness. The advent of the 18th century saw itself breaking free of the scrutiny and persecution of previous periods, with the decline of Religious influence on personal ideal. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 133). The transcending nature of this endeavor was fully realized in this period and sought to expand on the once radical and taboo seeds that subtly explored with early Socratic and Epicurean thought. Until this time, the publication of perceived heretical idealism was non-existent. As questions of man’s existence and the provable truths that previously governed what was acceptable began to broaden, the growth of modern philosophy paralleled this movement.

Hegel; The Pioneer of Absolute Idealism

Immanuel Kant and David Hume were the first to harness this transition, often debating the validity of personal experience as they relate to idealism and skepticism, respectfully. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 142). The beginning of the 19th century saw a rebellion against the rationalistic movement of the 18th century, and was replaced by the absolute idealism of most notably proposed by Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 143).

Whereas Kant presupposed that all experience and the interpretation of those experiences therein is divided into categories, Hegel countered with the motion that these categories that govern experience are in fact unified in absolute consciousness that are governed by the synapse of Nature and Idea into Spirit. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 143).

Continental Philosophy Essay 2

These assessments of reality supported a unification of all experience as a reflection of itself in the view of the individual; therefore the only truth is governed by the macrocosm that filters these experiences. This definition of “The Absolute” effectively sought to discredit all individualistic thought as it relates to experience in direct contrast to the existential philosophies that were to come as counterpoints of this movement.

The Counterpoints of Existentialistic and Phenomenological Thought

It could be argued that the major adversaries as they relate to forms of government are Communism and Democratic Capitalism. These forms of government are fundamentally different from themselves in one major aspect: The welfare of the sum as opposed to the welfare of individual parts that constitute that whole. The suppositions of Absolute Idealism and Existentialism mirror this timeless struggle. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 159).

As Hegel’s philosophies lent credibility to unification as definition to govern existence, so did existentialism lend ultimate credibility to the experience of the individual. Meaning was replaced by Meaninglessness, Unification was replaced by Solidarity, and Rationalism was replaced by Irrationalism and chaos. These celebrated philosophies sought to deconstruct all that had been built, and put the onus on the individual to become that speculative mason.

The Founding Fathers of Existentialism

The philosophies of Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche laid the foundation of this movement, and maintained a governing approach by utilizing deistic transcendentalism. Their work cleared a path for great existential philosophers Albert

Continental Philosophy Essay 3

Camus and Jean Paul Sartre, who would later build off of many of the ideas put forth by these Fathers of Existentialism. Kierkegaard’s philosophies revolved around the individual harnessing their “free will”, and all the consequences of those decisions

culminated in the ultimate life view dictated by experience. He attributed relief to this ongoing conundrum as the aspect of faith in the infinite God, the only meaning in an otherwise chaotic world. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 161)

Both Kierkegaard and Nietzsche sought to explore the herd mentality, culminating in Nietzsche’s “Ubermensch” or “Superman” as the true transcendence of triviality. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 161) It is only in this realization that the individual is free from the constraints of social normality and has the right to exercise true free will. The quote most attributed