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Existentialism
Existentialism is probably the most contemporary philosophy discussed in Sophie�s World. Existentialism is also a philosophy unlike any other discussed in the novel in the sense that it focuses not on a particular aspect of human existence such as creation or religion, but on a whole being as he exists in the universe. The philosophy of Existentialists such as Martin Heidegger refute the idea that human beings are merely intellectual objects but instead are emotional beings who need freedom to live. Thus human relationships and experiences can not be classified as cerebral, as the entire being becomes involved either emotionally of physically. Existentialism is a philosophy devoted to human existence and experience.
In Existentialism there are three main themes: existence, limits, and the universe. The first theme, Existence, is the most important theme of the three. It focuses mainly on the existence of natural objects such as animals, humans, and earth. However, it also acknowledges that all objects exist in different forms and ways. For example, a human being is unique and exists in a radically different way than that of any other, but a stone exists just the same as any other stone. The uniqueness in which humans exist is the chief tenet of Existentialism.
The second theme is limits. While an individual is enabled to live unique and distinct life, he is bound in what theologian Karl Barth called �the boundary situation.� This �boundary situation� boils down to the fact that a human only has a limited life span and in that life span, he must make primitive and yet crucial decisions. However, the outcome of these critical choices is dependent on the person.
The third theme is that of the world and what can be inferred or learned about it. The universe is the biggest puzzle philosophers have ever been given and is the only puzzle that has yet to be solved. Existentialist philosopher Fyodor Dostoevski claimed that the universe does not make any sense, and that the lack of insight �is what the world is all about."
The basis of Existentialism can be inferred from a look at the root of the word �existentialism.� The root word is �existence,� but as Sophie�s World says, this is not existence as in life, but existence as in the ability to be aware of one�s morality. This awareness puts humans above any other species in the world because no other animal or plant can contemplate reality and life. This awareness also leads to the ability for man to continually reinvent himself as something greater, and decide for himself how he wants to live his life. However, while this lack of a greater plan seems simple enough, it is indeed can be a very dangerous one; if everyone in the world has the freedom to make his choices, then what is to stop him from making the wrong choices? Important Existentialist philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Karl Jaspers, and Gabriel Marcel all agreed that while making the wrong choices can be detrimental and possibly injurious, a man must always accept responsibility for his actions. Existentialists also believe that by blaming one�s decisions on others or society, he has forfeited the right to life an authentic and meaningful life because he cannot accept his own choices. Often people blame what they believe is an intrinsic character, such is the saying �boys will be boys.� Simon de Beauvoir and Sartre�s philosophies agreed that there is no basic nature for man (or woman) to fall back on. As Sophie�s World says, Beauvoir simply took this philosophy to the next level thus creating what is now feminism.
Existentialism declares that all individuals have their own life situations, and that no two people are the same except for the fact that everyone has questions and decisions that must be answered. Existentialism also proclaims that man cannot judge another man because there are no principles for what is right for all people at all times.
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