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what is ~ Freewill?
Existentialism is well known as a branch of philosophical thought that has flourished and has become expounded since its emergence in Europe in the late 19th century. It may sometimes be associated as a more negative philosophy, with branches that embrace Atheism, and the limitations of society and humanity, and even politics, as well as man's abilities and limitations to cause his own suffering. Yet the real aim of this philosophy is usually attributed to expanding upon ideas and understandings guiding to the betterment of society and humanity as a whole. In this case, the broad ideas covered by this term extentialism may indeed be associated as a branch of social idealism?
Existentialism primarily prescribes to the realisation of individuality, and personal responsibility. It can be presented as a most practicable and even logical mode of thought, that expounds upon the ideas that we exist as individuals, and that our destiny is guided by our own Freewill. That we should embrace the understanding that we are our own masters of mind, and responsible for our own actions, and that in turn, as a society, we are responsible for the sufferings, the shortcomings, and the development of humanity as a whole.
Like all philosophical movements, it has naturally arisen through the denials and scrutiny of preceding philosophies, and the questioning of the limitations of these preceding ideas, in this case, Romanticism and escapism, and the more metaphysical ideals promoted in these philosophies. By turning aside these examinations into the supernatural and placing emphasis of a more pragmatic approach into existence, it has therefore naturally lead the philosophy to the question of God, and to question any inclination into the reality of determinism.
As can be drawn directly from the meaning of the term existentialism, existence is all that is fundamentally important. Thus here, all that is significant is preceded by existence, for without this consciousness of existence, (of life), there is no development, of knowledge or understanding.
The famous existentialist, Jean Paul Satre claims a conceptual (and predominantly logical), premise; "Existence precedes essence". In short, this is an argument that declares that there is no predefined purpose to life itself. It argues that there is no eternal or predefined essence or spirit that governs man's existence. Thus we are nothing before we are born into this life. That it is mere speculation, and the lust for the motives of reason, that we hope to believe that we are more than what we really are?
That a man's purpose is defined firstly by his birth into existence, whereupon he struggles to define himself through character and ego. Which are, in turn, defined by his fate and circumstance and struggling. As far as intellect is concerned this may prove to be the case, yet one cannot deny that we are indeed essence before we are born, both literally and fundamentally. Even Darwin would raise his hand at this stage and declare that evolution and genetic essence has thus defined mankind and his thinking so far?
However, Satre does have some valid points in declaring that perhaps man should spend a little more thought on who he actually is, rather than who he thinks he may be? Or indeed what he believes others think of him? He termed this preoccupation "existential angst".
Other important key figures in this philosophy are Søren Kierkegaard, and Friedrich Nietzsche.
Kierkegaard was critically strong against the religious doctrines founded in Christianity around his time, and his perception of the inherent hypocrisy of the organised church movement. However, this does not mean that he was not a Christian. His criticisms were aimed squarely at the lack of passion within Christendom as a whole, and precisely at the predominant philosophies of Hegel, whose ideas elevated the importance of the state and historical values above individual existence. Kierkegaard argued that it was indeed, the individual that was important. That personal faith was of greater importance than organised religion and its baggage.
Kierkegaard also believed that truth was subjective. In other words, he believed that only individual truths were important. Although objective truths exist, (2+2=4), he proposed that these truths were irrelevant to the individual, especially in terms of self-understanding, development and religious beliefs. He thus placed the importance of the individual with the individual, encouraging the pursuit of personal truth and understanding.
He also proposed that there were basically three stages in life's existence. 1. The aesthetic stage ~ where one is preoccupied with oneself, happiness, pleasure, knowledge, success, etc. One may remain satisfied in this stage unto his last days; however, one may also become dissatisfied and choose stage 2. An ethical stage ~ where moral duties and devotion become the preoccupation. In this stage personal responsibility has shifted the individual away from selfishness, and toward contemplation of a more sedate and serious nature. However, this stage may too often become a burden, and an individual may fall back to stage 1. Or, progress to a final stage 3. The religious stage ~ where one makes a firm commitment to faith and devotion to God, leaving behind the selfishness and responsibilities concerning the former.
Nietzsche was a further proponent of existentialism, although the philosophical movement in these early days was still not recognised as unique, and was yet still to become an established branch of philosophy.
Nietzsche went so far as to declare that "God is dead", yet his meaning was not so much heterodoxy, although it was certainly controversial. His meaning is often taken out of context, in his declarations that it is man who must take responsibility for himself and his actions, and not continually place responsibility for hope and salvation with God. He proposed that it was religion itself that halted the advancement of mankind, and that it was religious doctrine that held him in chains.
His pursuit in his ideas and ideals of the evolutionary Superman who evolves to higher levels of understanding and wisdom, is also misunderstood, especially for its implied relationship and embrace by the German Nazi party. Although it may be undeniable that this ideal was a prime belief within this political movement, if we look much deeper, it is yet a further declaration of personal responsibility, and the need for man to look beyond his speculation of what he may be, and seek to strive for what he is capable of becoming. Thus Nietzsche was a strong advocate and voice for the potential and advancement of humanity. It is sadly ironic that his ideas should have been so twisted and corrupted by Nazi politics and propaganda.
Yet how much of this relatively new philosophy is original? ..And can we trace its origins and ideas to a much earlier age of human thought?
As always is the case, so much of our present philosophies are grounded in our generations past. True existentialism and the understanding of individual responsibilities, and the pursuit of the betterment of humanity as a whole can be found and understood from the times of the ancient Greeks. With The Sophists for example, who held strong beliefs in the evolution of society and humanity.
Yet still farther back, once again, to Buddhism and the Buddha who was perhaps the forefather and foremost proponent in the teaching of personal responsibility. Here, it is the individual that must contemplate his actions and thoughts by an examination of self, and learn to understand the reasons and motives for his or her circumstance, and to take sole responsibility for them.
Yet were even the ideas of Buddha absolutely original and unique?
And where does this leave us with an understanding of Freewill?
Perhaps we should contemplate further, what this phenomena of Freewill actually is?
Since we may have established that Freewill is in fact a reality, (to us humans at least), we should investigate how the phenomena may actually work, and to what extent it can affect physical and even metaphysical outcomes.
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