I find it interesting that when I start talking to people and sometimes the fact that I am an existentialist comes up, they take two steps back, waiting for me to grow two heads and eat their babies.
Existentialism, certainly in the US seems to have a very negative connotation, and is not viewed positively at all.
In Europe and Australia, it is more accepted, whereas in the US it is viewed as some gloomy and alienating disease that people will catch if they come too close.
Existentialism, certainly in the US seems to have a very negative connotation, and is not viewed positively at all.
In Europe and Australia, it is more accepted, whereas in the US it is viewed as some gloomy and alienating disease that people will catch if they come too close.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Thu, July 26, 2007 - 4:21 PMin a lot of ways, same deal with atheism. the standard reaction is 'darkness'. and the belief that you have no moral values or ethics whatsoever. -
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 6:29 AMThat's interesting that you mention that Sean. There are a lot of people I know that assume that existentialists ARE atheists... that it somehow comes with the territory. And although this is sometimes the case, they are completely unaware that there is a whole sect of religious existentialists.
I have a feeling that the atheism aspect may be what turns Americans off. I mean, anything that's viewed as anti-religious in the US is a sore spot for most people.
I suppose I don't want to assume too much, because I don't really know what they're thinking, but we may be on to something here. -
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 7:31 AMi agree on both counts. most people (at least in the US) will instantly tune you out if you happen to be. they feel completely justified in not having to even intellectually consider such an alternative belief (or non-belief) from a distanced, neutral perspective. even for a moment. obviously, religion is an emotional issue for many people. it just sucks that they won't even bother to step outside their own heads for even 5 seconds. -
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 8:20 AMOf course not, they're sheep. The Lord is my shepherd....
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 8:25 AMThese are a good indication of the non-acceptance of anything outside the box of religion.
graphics8.nytimes.com/images/....684.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imag...ligion.png
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 8:53 AMJust going back to the fact that many people see existentialism as gloomy and depressing.....
I think why Existentialism gets a bad rap, is that it really puts the responsibility on a person to create their own meaning. This is very scary for a lot of people who would rather defer that to a figure in the sky somewhere.
But really that responsibility is not so much a burden, as a liberating factor in our lives.
That responsibility enhances, rather than encumbers our existence.
"At long last our ships may venture out again, venture out to face any danger; all the daring of the lover of knowledge is permitted again; the sea, our sea, lies open again. Perhaps there has never been such an 'open sea.'"
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 10:27 AMSorry for leading us off-topic Sh_az!
I think that existentialism is also looked upon as only for "loners"... like you can't have any friends or meaningful relationships. And I suppose that some of this could come from the writings, such as Notes From the Underground or Tropic of Cancer. And there's also the cold/steril existentialist artwork, like that of Giacometti. There are a lot of reasons, I suppose. It is an unfortunate stereotype in this country.
But I think you are correct. People should look at it more as liberating.. or at least a sense of pride in creating and being exactly who and what you are, whether it's perfect or not.
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Tue, August 28, 2007 - 10:18 AMI think that you hit the nail on the head. Responsibility. People don't generally want that because that means that you remove the blame from an external source to an internal source.
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Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Fri, July 27, 2007 - 10:46 AMI know that for many years, I too had a mostly negative impression of existentialism. I was in college at the time, hadn't read of word of Heidegger or Kafka myself, and watched as several friends delved into the philosophy. What turned me off initially was their pure love for Camus (pronounced by them as "kay-muss" of course). More to the point, what riled me was their use of Camus to justify almost any of their actions. I had no problem with their skipping of class, or drinking and drug use, but what really angered me was when they would discard a girlfriend or boyfriend, and then right it off with a simple, "that's just how I feel right now." Feh!
Years later, well out of college, Jean-Paul invited me back. But it was really Simone who embraced me. Her unwillingness to sacrifice personal and SOCIAL responsibility at the alter of self-indulgence was what really hooked me.
So, if the only experience most people have with existentialism is Camus and Nietzsche, I can see how it would leave a bad taste in their brain. -
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Unsu...
Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Sun, July 29, 2007 - 5:02 PMTry telling people you're an athiest! Or that your next tattoo is "God Is Dead" (in German, of course). And I live in Reno, Nevada! -
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Unsu...
Re: Existentialism and Negativity
Sun, July 29, 2007 - 5:04 PMI guess I should read everybody's post (not just the first one) and THEN post, huh? Geez. Sorry.
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