Explore the core tenets of existential ethics, beginning with the fundamental paradox of the human condition. We are conscious subjects yet feel crushed by reality, inherently free yet bound by circumstance, alive yet constantly building towards death. Unlike philosophies that try to mask this complexity, existentialism confronts this 'tragic ambiguity' directly.
Discover how this perspective defines human freedom not as a static given, but as a dynamic process that must be constantly willed, conquered, and affirmed. Freedom is the ultimate source of all values; they don't exist outside of us in some external absolute, but spring into being through our projects and choices.
Understand the crucial ethical dimension: to will one's own freedom is inextricably linked to willing the freedom of others. Our existence and our ability to disclose the world are possible only through our relationships with others.
We delve into how individuals often flee the anxiety of this freedom, adopting roles like the passive sub-man, the rigidly serious man, the destructive nihilist, the indifferent adventurer, or the possessive passionate man. These attitudes, while offering temporary escape, ultimately lead to dishonesty and servitude, denying the richness of genuine existence.
Living authentically means embracing the inherent ambiguity of our condition. It requires engaging in the world, pursuing constructive projects (like science, art, and philosophy) that are seen as movements towards indefinite disclosure of being, not attempts to grasp a fixed reality.
But human action isn't always constructive. We examine the difficult reality of oppression, which turns individuals into objects by cutting them off from their future. We explore how revolt becomes necessary, leading to the challenging antinomies of action: acting for humanity often means acting against certain individuals.
Learn why sacrifice and violence, while sometimes unavoidable, are never simply justified by abstract ends or a mythical future utopia. True justification comes from considering the concrete human interest at stake and striving to balance goals with means in a finite, uncertain present. This requires constant vigilance, questioning, and struggle.
Ultimately, existential ethics is individualistic in valuing each person absolutely, but not solipsistic, recognising our essential bond with others. It's not about finding easy answers or recipes for action, but about embracing the painful responsibility of creating meaning through our choices, affirming our existence and the world's value in the face of ambiguity and failure. Join us as we navigate the complexities of being human and the perpetual struggle for liberation.