Existentialism in Literature and Science - 846 Words

Existentialism is the philosophical approach or theory that emphasizes an individual’s existence as a free and responsible being determining his own development through acts of the will (â€Å"Existentialism†). What does that mean exactly? To make it easier to understand, that means humans as people are shaping their own destinies with every choice they make. That seems quite obvious, but to further understand the meaning of existentialism, it must be analyzed through the impacts it has had on both literature and scientific theories alike. The literary movement of existentialism is seen heavily in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis and Albert Camus’ The Stranger. In The Metamorphosis, the movement of his existentialism is gradual. Gregor Samsa, the protagonist, hates his job and he wishes to be free of all his social suffering. This is seen when he is transformed into a â€Å"monstrous vermin† (Kafka 3). His transformation symbolizes him being f ree of the social afflictions but his human like qualities also fade away and his meaning of life is taken away as well. â€Å"Gregor now hardly ate anything anymore. Only when he accidentally passed the food laid out for him would he take a bite into his mouth just for fun, hold it in for hours, and then mostly spit it out again† (45). After his family abandons him and he is ready to die, there really isn’t a meaning to life by that time. The Metamorphosis emphasizes that one must interact with society in order for there to be a meaning toShow MoreRelatedExistentialism And The Beliefs Of The Movement1454 Words   |  6 PagesPalahniuk that is a good summary of existentialism and the beliefs of the movement. Existentialism was a turning point for society and literature that advocated the expansion of the minds of authors and their readers so we could improve our thinking to be more enlightened and free. The movement sparked much alternative thinking to allow our so ciety to grow into what it is today and without it people would most likely be more close minded and less free. Existentialism was a very influential movement withRead MoreWith Age, We Question Our Lives836 Words   |  3 Pages1992). However, many experts say that his philosophy is a mixture of existentialist and humanism. Most of his works revolved around the philosophy of existentialism, absurdism and humanism. Camus may reject that he is a philosopher but his works have greatly influenced many people and caught the attention of many philosophers and experts in literature. Another factor that makes Camus’ philosophy confusing about life is that he divides his ideas in different works in a non-chronological fashion. CamusRead MoreShakespeares King Lear vs. Tuesdays with Morrie1495 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Existentialism was in part a reaction to modernism, but its roots can be traced to ancient philosophical traditions ranging from Zoroastrianism and Judaism, Buddhism and Platonism (Flynn). The essence of existentialism is authenticity of experience, asking the philosopher to undergo deep introspection. However, existentialism is perhaps most famous for its probing questions about what Friedrich Nietzsche called the tension of the soul, (2). Known colloquially as existential angst, the tensionRead More The Rise and Fall of Existentialism1287 Words   |  6 PagesThe Rise and Fall of Existentialism   Ã‚  Ã‚   Existential literature often focuses on the personal journey towards existential awareness. Common themes in existential works, such as alienation and confrontation with death, often lead the anti-hero towards a climactic choice that defines whether they have reached true understanding. The themes within existential literature are reflected from the world at large, and the works themselves are a metaphor for a grander shift in Western philosophy. Read More My Philosophy of Education Essay603 Words   |  3 Pageseducation: Perennialism, Progressivism, Essentialism and Existentialism. The results of my philosophy of education module showed that I am very eclectic, with the strongest attributes being in Progressivism and Essentialism. My lowest attribute in the module was Existentialism. Let’s study each of the schools and my relation to them in the order that they were scored in my module: Progressivism, Essentialism, Perennialism and Existentialism. Progressivism focuses on the idea that the focusRead MoreTranscendentalism, Realism, Naturalism, And Existentialism- Shaped The Advancement Of American Literature1486 Words   |  6 PagesTranscendentalism, Realism, Naturalism, and Existentialism- shaped the advancement of American literature. They were considered to be theoretical and political philosophies which held important positions in the development of modern literature. The original authors, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Lawrence Sargent Hall, and Jerome David Salinger, presented works inspiring new perspectives and social outlooks upon reality and it’s offerings. Through characterizing the progress of the philosophiesRead MoreLiterary Theories And Literary Criticism1318 Words   |  6 Pagestheories and literary criticism New Historicism 1. †¢ It is a literary theory based on the criticism of Stephen Greenblatt and philosophy Michel Foucault. †¢ It states that literature should be studied and interpreted in context with the author’s history as well as the history of the critic. †¢ Acknowledges that the author’s literature is influenced by his/her situations or surroundings. †¢ The critic’s response is also influenced by his/her surroundings, beliefs, values and prejudices. †¢ Shows how theRead MoreEssay Existentialism1050 Words   |  5 PagesExistentialism Existentialism refers to the philosophical movement or tendency of the nineteenth and twentyth centuries. Because of the diversity of positions associated with existentialism, a precise definition is impossible; however, it suggests one major theme: a stress on individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice {3}. Existentialism also refers to a family of philosophies devoted to an interpretation of human existence in the world thatRead More Philosophy Essay986 Words   |  4 Pageseducation philosophy: Each of the major philosophical approaches to education has merit. However, to strictly employ only one philosophy is limiting and hampers all possibility for improvement. Essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, and existentialism all contribute valid ideas to the teaching profession. I will choose to use aspects of each in varying degrees as is appropriate to different students and situations. Gardners theory of multiple intelligences must be considered when planningRead MoreNietzsche s Philosophy On Personal Life And Education1200 Words   |  5 PagesFriedrich Nietzsche was a German, writer, poet, thinker and philopher. He was renowned for his ideas on the end of religion, existentialism and the concept of good and evil. Nietzsche focused essentially on the end of religion. He once declared that â€Å"God is dead†, a statement that decidedly defied Christianity as well as morality. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, he was rapt in the development of â€Å"individual and cultural health, and believed in life, creativity, power, and down-to-earth