The Philosophical Foundations of Individualism - Existentialist Influences (Part 7)
12. Exploring Individualism during the Rise of Existentialism
The rise of Existentialism in the 19th and 20th centuries marked a profound philosophical and cultural shift that deeply influenced the public conceptualization of individualism. This era was characterized by a complex interplay between human existence, individual agency, and the search for meaning in what was being claimed to be an increasingly uncertain world. As Existentialist thinkers grappled with questions of authenticity, freedom, and personal responsibility, they reshaped the landscape of individualism, challenging established norms and traditional views. This article delves into the impacts on individualism during the rise of Existentialism, exploring its key tenets, impact on personal identity, relationship with societal structures, and its lasting legacy on modern thought.
The Emergence of Existentialism
Existentialism emerged as a response to the changing landscape of modernity. The tumultuous events of the 19th and 20th centuries, including World Wars, technological advancements, and a growing sense of alienation, prompted some thinkers to reevaluate traditional philosophical and societal paradigms.
Existentialism keenly observed society's increasing skepticism towards absolute truths and sought to philosophically grapple with this shift. It shifted focus away from objective truths and universal ideologies that had held sway in prior periods, placing a spotlight on the subjective experiences of individuals and accentuating the distinctiveness of each person's existence. As Søren Kierkegaard put it, "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." Friedrich Nietzsche echoed this sentiment by stating, "There are no facts, only interpretations." Meanwhile, Jean-Paul Sartre famously declared, "Existence precedes essence," emphasizing the importance of personal existence over predetermined roles or truths. Albert Camus further contributed to this perspective, stating, "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."
Nietzsche's famous quote, "God is dead," is often misunderstood as a positive declaration or wonderful accomplishment, but it's actually a lament and a warning about the consequences of the decline of religious belief in Western society. He used this phrase to convey several key ideas. Nietzsche saw the decline of religious faith as leading to a loss of absolute meaning and values in people's lives. He lamented that with the "death" of God, the moral and ethical foundations provided by religion were eroding, leaving individuals adrift in a world without clear guidance. Nietzsche was also concerned that this would then directly lead to nihilism, a state of despair where people would struggle to find purpose and values in a world without God. He warned that this nihilistic outlook could result in societal and personal chaos. Lastly, Nietzsche was concerned that without a shared moral framework, society would become increasingly fragmented and marked by conflicts over competing values. So, rather than celebrating the death of God, Nietzsche saw incredible danger and was highlighting the need for a very sober and thoughtful response to this stark new worldview.
The Quest for Authenticity
Authenticity stands as a central and profound concept within existentialism. At its core, it signifies the genuine, unfiltered expression of an individual's true self and values. Existentialist philosophers, like Jean-Paul Sartre and Søren Kierkegaard, emphasized that living an authentic life involves making choices that align with one's innermost convictions, rather than conforming to societal expectations, external pressures, or preordained roles. They taught that by adopting this concept of authenticity, individuals would be embracing the existential responsibility to confront life's uncertainties head-on and actively shape their existence in a way that reflects their unique identity.
However, this pursuit of authenticity is not without its challenges. Existentialism acknowledges that societal norms, peer pressure, and external influences often lead individuals away from their authentic selves. The struggle for authenticity involves a continuous process of self-examination and introspection. Existentialists argue that it's essential to recognize that authenticity doesn't offer a ready-made formula for happiness but rather a path towards a more meaningful and genuine existence. It involves embracing the discomfort of uncertainty and the weight of personal responsibility, as one takes control of their choices and seeks to live in alignment with their deepest values. In essence, authenticity in existentialism is a call to be true to oneself in a world filled with external pressures and distractions.
Existentialism arose in a period when traditional moral absolutes were being questioned, particularly due to the decline of religious authority. Existentialist philosophers recognized this moral vacuum and encouraged individuals to take responsibility for defining their own values and ethics. Rather than relying on external authorities, existentialism asked individuals to create their own moral codes based on their authentic experiences. This instruction even furthered the role of moral absolutes. Romanticism had emphasized the primacy of emotion, intuition, and personal experience over reason which helped to create the sense of alienation. Now Existentialism sought to establish the foundations of reason on those same feelings, intuition and personal experience. They were increasing alienation rather than solving it.
Freedom and Responsibility
Existentialism's exploration of human freedom added a profound dimension to the concept of individualism. Traditional individualism often emphasized personal autonomy and the absence of external constraints, but existentialists took it further by proposing freedom as not just the absence of limitations, but as the capacity to choose and shape one's own existence. Existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre argued that human beings are condemned to be free. This means that we are born into a world where we are radically free to make choices and define our own values, even in the absence of preordained meaning. This recognition of freedom was both liberating and daunting because it came with an inherent responsibility that was fundamental to existentialism.
The responsibility existentialism thus placed on individuals was the responsibility to confront life's uncertainties and actively determine one's course of action. To these thinkers it meant acknowledging that there are no predetermined paths or absolute moral guidelines to follow. Instead, individuals had to grapple with the complexities of existence and make choices that reflected their authentic selves. In this sense, existentialism urged individuals to take ownership of their lives and decisions fully. It asked them to engage in introspection, self-examination, and a critical examination of their values. This responsibility was not a burden but an invitation to live authentically and embrace the freedom to create meaning in a world where traditional certainties were fading.
Ultimately, existentialism's recognition of personal responsibility within the framework of individualism challenged individuals to embrace the uncertainties of life and actively participate in the ongoing process of defining their own existence. It encouraged them to view their freedom not as a mere privilege but as a profound responsibility to live genuinely and authentically in a world marked by ambiguity and choice. However, unlike Existentialism, the principles of freedom and responsibility found within Individualism still hold merit even in the context of objective absolutes and moral guidelines.
Confronting the Absurd
Existentialism's philosophical exploration also revolved around the concept of the "absurd." This notion emphasized the lack of inherent meaning or coherence in the universe. Existentialist thinkers like Albert Camus highlighted what they saw as the existential dilemma of living in a world that seems indifferent and even absurd in its lack of inherent purpose or values. This confrontation with the absurd challenged traditional notions of purpose and teleology, which had provided society with a sense of direction and meaning for centuries.
Existentialism's engagement with the absurd was intended to underscore the profound role of the individual in shaping their own sense of meaning and purpose. Instead of relying on external or predetermined sources of meaning, existentialism encouraged individuals to take an active role in defining their values and their reason for being. As mentioned above, Jean-Paul Sartre argued that in a universe devoid of inherent purpose, human beings are condemned to be free, implying that they must take responsibility for creating their own meaning.
Existentialism's exploration of the absurd sought to align closely with the individualistic pursuit of personal fulfillment. It emphasized the significance of individual experiences and choices in the face of life's inherent uncertainties. Existentialist philosophy celebrated the authenticity of one's unique existence, encouraging individuals to make choices that resonated with their true selves. In this sense, existentialists claim they didn't see the absurd as a reason for despair but as an invitation to embrace one's freedom and to live in a way that aligned with their values and desires.
Alienation and the Individual
The experience of alienation, that prevailing sense of disconnection and isolation, was another common theme in Existentialist thought. The alienation they experienced in the modern world and within their philosophy further fueled their emphasis on individualism. Existentialists contended that authentic engagement with existence required a rejection of conformity and a deliberate embrace of individuality further separating the individual from social connections and community.
The paradox here is clear. Existentialists in seeking to deal with their sense of alienation turned to a form of individualism that only further heightened their sense of alienation. On the other hand, individualism as a philosophy exists independently of existentialism and does not inherently lead to alienation. While it's true that extreme forms of individualism such seen here, when taken to an extreme, may lead to isolation or disregard for communal bonds, it doesn't have to result in alienation. In fact, individualism best coexists within social connections, community involvement, and shared values, emphasizing personal agency without promoting a sense of disconnection.
Challenges and Critiques
Critics of Existentialism have raised valid concerns regarding the philosophical movement's abandonment of moral absolutes and emphasis on the subjective experience. One of the primary criticisms revolves around solipsism, a philosophical position suggesting that only one's own mind can be known to exist. They argue that existentialism's focus on the individual's inner world and subjective perspective will lead some individuals to solipsistic thinking. In the pursuit of authenticity and self-discovery, there is indeed a risk that individuals will become excessively self-absorbed, prioritizing their own experiences above all else, which further isolates them from the broader social and moral fabric of society.
Critics also argue that this rejection of moral absolutes raises concerns about moral relativism, the belief that ethical principles are not universally applicable and that morality is entirely subjective. While their emphasis on personal agency is a cornerstone of existentialism, it has led critics to correctly worry about a potential erosion of shared ethical standards. The reality is that if each individual creates their own morality, it becomes increasingly challenging to establish a common moral foundation that guides a society, leading to moral chaos, ethical relativism a societal collapse. It can be strongly argued that this has, in fact, actually come to pass in our modern society.
In conclusion, the rise of Existentialism during the 19th and 20th centuries marked a transformative era that deeply influenced the concept of individualism. Existentialist thought challenged traditional paradigms, prioritizing authenticity, freedom, and personal responsibility. The confrontation with the absurd and the exploration of alienation underscored the profound interplay between individualism and the philosophical currents of the time.
The legacy of Existentialism on individualism endures. Its emphasis on authenticity, personal agency, and the quest for meaning continues to shape discussions about human identity, societal norms, and the role of the individual in a rapidly changing world. As modern societies navigate the complexities of existence, Existentialism's influence, whether ultimately positive or negative, underscores the ongoing importance of individual autonomy in the pursuit of truth. In future articles we will explore why Individualism actually is best applied within a social context resting on shared moral absolutes.