Most people misunderstand existentialism. It is not really a philosphy at all, per se, but rather a "realization". A realization one is free to manifest their destiny anyway they desire.
Think of it this way. For all of mankinds history he has been slave to one dogma or another. Religion, culture, spirits, norms, mores, family, friends, etc, there was always someone or some myth which told people how they had to live their lives.
Then in the 60's, for the first time in human history, the best and the brightest kids (Berkeley-lol), realized they had the right to live their lives anyway they wanted as long as they did not hurt anyone and did their duty ot their society.
That sounds like straight forward logic, but it is not. Until the 60's almost everyone on earth for all time lived their lives by anothers leave i.e. religion, family rules, etc.
To put it in real terms the kids in the 60's said:"I can marry someone from a different religion, culture, rac or even gender if I want. I am free to manifest my destiny as I see fit, as long as I do not hurt anyone.
That is existentialism.
The irony is that the right wing talks about freedom, but it is the left wing that truely practises it. |
