First of all back to existentialism briefly as I have skimmed the Wiki article on it an am now an expert. (G)
Inasmuch as Wiki states:
There has never been general agreement on the definition of the term. The first prominent existentialist philosopher to adopt the term as a self-description was Jean-Paul Sartre. Existentialism as a term, therefore, has been applied to many philosophers in hindsight. According to historian Steven Crowell, defining existentialism has therefore been relatively difficult, and argues that it is better understood as a general approach used to reject certain systematic philosophies rather than as a systematic philosophy. [3]
That being the case then I guess we could argue about it into absurdity and never come to a meeting of the minds about it. But I will say this--with the central definition of existentialism partaking of "essence" and "being" (how one exists--see wiki article below) your saying that existentialism is nothing but consciousness runs somewhat parallel to that definition if this consciousness leads to a way of acting (being).
If you would, at your leisure, skim this Wiki article, and tell me (us) where you agree and/or differ with its general propositions I think we could at least see where we relatively are with regard to it.
en.wikipedia.org
Second, I am somewhat mystified about how my assertions that the student protests of the 60's were first driven by objections to racism and segregation (in the early 60's) and later by opposition to the draft (and an immoral war in the eyes of the protesters) has morphed into a discussion of counterculture.
I am familiar with Kersey and his "bus ride" and have read accounts of it. Additionally, I've read "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Sometimes a Great Notion".
However, I fail to see the connection between Kersey and the main forces driving student protest. Kersey (and Leary) were more about dropping out, turning on, and tuning in. The student protest movement was not so much about that, but more of a mainstream youth movement, who were not about dropping out, but were objecting to specific governmental (immoral) policies.
Do you agree with this? Or if not, why not? |
