Philosophical Self Modern Period PDF

Modern Period  The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution: A New Dawn Renaissance: The dawn of a new age.  Industrial Revolution: The daybreak of modernity.  Urbanization: A shift from rural to urban living.  Cultural Melting Pot: Cities as centers of diverse cultu...

Modern Period  The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution: A New Dawn Renaissance: The dawn of a new age.  Industrial Revolution: The daybreak of modernity.  Urbanization: A shift from rural to urban living.  Cultural Melting Pot: Cities as centers of diverse cultures and ideas.  Modern Life: A transition to a work-home dichotomy.  Existentialism: A school of thought focusing on the self in modern life.  Existentialism: The Philosophy of Choice Key points:  Human Beings as Creators: Existentialism emphasizes individual choice and agency.  Key Existentialists: Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Martin Heidegger.  Existential Terms: o Authentic: Living a genuine life based on personal choices. o Leap of Faith: Taking a risk and committing to something without certainty. o Übermensch: A superhuman ideal representing human potential. o Eternal Recurrence: The idea that life is an infinite cycle.  Existential Terms: o Dasein: Being in the world, the fundamental human condition. o Being-Thrown-in-the-World: The inescapable nature of human existence. o Being-Unto-Death: The awareness of one's mortality. Jean-Paul Sartre Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism and Authenticity Authenticity: The ultimate goal of existentialism. Jean-Paul Sartre: Existence precedes essence, meaning individual choices define a person's identity. Authentic Person: Someone who lives consistently with their beliefs and values, regardless of societal expectations. Soren Kierkegaard  Søren Kierkegaard's Stages of Life  Leap of Faith: The journey to authenticity.  Three Stages of Life: o Aesthetic Stage: Focused on immediate pleasures and sensory experiences. o Ethical Stage: Concerned with duty, responsibility, and societal norms. o Religious Stage: Rooted in faith, a deeper connection with something transcendent.  Kierkegaard's Stages: A Journey of Choice  Aesthetic to Ethical: A gradual step-by-step process.  Ethical to Religious: A leap of faith, a more significant choice.  Individual Choice: Belief in God is a personal decision. Friedrich Nietzsche  Nietzsche's Übermensch: A Journey of Transformation  Beyond Good and Evil: The path to authenticity.  Three Metamorphoses: Camel, lion, child.  Dragon: Represents societal and religious laws.  Camel: Blindly following societal norms.  Lion: Questioning and overcoming societal constraints.  Nietzsche's Übermensch: A Journey of Transformation  Child: Creating one's values and becoming an Übermensch.  Übermensch: A superhuman ideal representing human potential.  Nietzsche's Eternal Recurrence: A Constant Cycle  Eternal Recurrence: A necessary part of the journey to authenticity.  Cycle of Transformation: The cycle of camel, lion, child, and Übermensch repeats.  Avoid Stagnation: To remain authentic, one must constantly strive for growth and renewal.  Nietzsche's Philosophy: A Call to Transcendence  Breaking Limits: Nietzsche encourages personal growth and self-improvement.  Living Dangerously: Embracing challenges and risks.  Overcoming Adversity: Hardships contribute to personal growth.  Creating One's Path: Authenticity requires independent thinking and action. Martin Heidegger  Martin Heidegger's Dasein: Being-in-the-World  Dasein: The fundamental human condition.  Being-in-the-World: The interconnectedness of humans and their environment.  Being-Thrown-in-the-World: The givenness of our circumstances.  Embracing Throwness: Accepting the things we cannot control.  Being-in-Itself: Recognizing individual identity and agency.  Martin Heidegger's Dasein: Being-in-the-World  Making Choices: The responsibility of individuals to shape their own lives. Heidegger's Being-Unto-Death: The Meaning of Life  Being-Unto-Death: The awareness of one's mortality.  Meaningful Life: Death gives life significance.  Living to the Fullest: Seizing opportunities and making the most of life.  Example: Student Journey Being-Thrown-in-the-World: Given circumstances (classmates, instructors, pandemic). Being-in-Itself: Making personal choices as a student. Being-Unto-Death: Recognizing the limited time in VSU. Making the Most: Studying hard, making friends, and participating in school events.