Existentialists explore ethics in a world that often feels meaningless. They focus on individual freedom and responsibility. Instead of following strict moral rules, they believe each person should create their own values through the choices they make.
Key Points:
Freedom of Choice: Life doesn’t come with a built-in meaning. This means people are free to decide how to live and what values to follow. For example, the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre said, “existence precedes essence,” which means we shape who we are through our actions.
Responsibility: With freedom comes the need to take responsibility. Every choice we make shows what we believe in, so it’s important to be true to ourselves. For instance, if someone chooses to act kindly, it shows their belief in compassion.
Authenticity: Living authentically means accepting your freedom and making choices that reflect your beliefs, rather than just going along with what everyone else thinks is right.
In short, existentialism suggests that we build our own ideas about what is right and wrong based on our personal experiences, instead of following outside rules.
Existentialists explore ethics in a world that often feels meaningless. They focus on individual freedom and responsibility. Instead of following strict moral rules, they believe each person should create their own values through the choices they make.
Key Points:
Freedom of Choice: Life doesn’t come with a built-in meaning. This means people are free to decide how to live and what values to follow. For example, the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre said, “existence precedes essence,” which means we shape who we are through our actions.
Responsibility: With freedom comes the need to take responsibility. Every choice we make shows what we believe in, so it’s important to be true to ourselves. For instance, if someone chooses to act kindly, it shows their belief in compassion.
Authenticity: Living authentically means accepting your freedom and making choices that reflect your beliefs, rather than just going along with what everyone else thinks is right.
In short, existentialism suggests that we build our own ideas about what is right and wrong based on our personal experiences, instead of following outside rules.