Understanding Existentialism--an oxymoron?
Answer the following questions:1. In class on Wednesday, I asked you: Who are you? You had to respond without thinking; you wrote without thinking. We then researched existentialism in images, definitions, articles, videos, songs, etc. So...looking at your findings, how would an existentialist answer the question: Who are you?
2. Look at the definition of oxymoron: "a figure of speech that combines two usually contradictory terms in a compressed paradox, as in the word bittersweet or the phrase living death." (Answers.com) Explain how my title for this blog post is OR isn't an oxymoron.
Labels: existentialism, oxymoron
posted by Davis at
1:40 PM
41 Comments:
Through an existentialists views, I am a facade, an illusionist of behaviours. I succomb to the wind and wherever it takes me. I fight for what I feel is right. My self-chosen path's will lead me to my fountain of youth/after-life.
I indulge in my life's obstacles, taking them by the hand a jumping off a never-ending cliff till I conclude my battles. I am the sole bearer of victory and failure and the punisher of each. I strive for success and self-derived treasures. I make my own luck and free will takes ahold of my legs.
Don't force your opinions upon me, for I am who I am and I belive what I believe and there is no reason for another source of input to attempt at re-designing my life to the flow of theirs.
Sometimes, the hardest decisions to be made, lead you in the right direction. My eyes are my soul, and the world is beyond me in vivid colors, hues, tastes and feelings. Nature is welcoming, but society is demanding.
11:20 AM
Existentialism: The impossible. You are the creater of what you believe. You don’t follow anyone, yet you don’t lead anyone. You are your own person, and no one judges you, not even yourself. You are not lonley and alone, just connected. You look at the world different, yet the same. You stand out but you are the common man. You know nothing, yet everything.
Sarah Downs
12:26 PM
I think that an existentialist would think that the question, who are you, would be what a person loves to do and what he feels truly about everything that he experiences.
I think that existentialism is the expression of what a person loves to do in life, how he wants to live his life, and what he truly feels about life experiences. Who cares about what other people think, life is short, so why not live life to the fullest?
12:29 PM
Since a existentialism is unique he would probably define himself as a open minded, positive, and indifferent person. Who clearly believes in what he wants no matter how people change him. So he believes in his own power even when the majority disagrees.
12:32 PM
Answering the question who are you? through an existentialists view, I am who I am. I lead my life and choose my path to my own end. I march to my own drum, fly in my own wind. I am my own mind and I control it. I follow my heart and my desires, leading me to the end of my road. I walk to beaten path, the hard road, the straight lane. The winds of chance breeze through and have little affect on me. I am a free-spirit, gliding along with my decisions.
The title, understanding existentialism, is an oxymoron. Understanding, or comprehending, does not go with self determining your choices that is existentialism. The two are complete contradictions. One expresses the knowledge of an idea, the other a position. Understanding is in the same category as bittersweet or living death. The contradictory statement is an oxymoron.
12:33 PM
An existentialist would say that you are merely a power which is in your brian or in your head that is determining your actions and driving you to be who you are and do what you do. You are not a physical form but a mental or spiritual force that drives your actions and makes the physical you act on behalf of the mental and the existential you.
12:33 PM
An existentialist would say that you determine who you are, other people do not influence this. What you think determines how you act and what you do in your life. They would do what they wanted, and would be an individual. Not conforming to what others are doing around them. I would think they would be very confident because they know who they are, and would not care what others think.
Existential is not an oxymoron because because of the root exist in the word. An existenialist would exist on whatever they want. They would decide what their existence looks like, so the word is not an oxymoron
Cole Crawford
6:02 PM
An existentialist would write write a history of their life, pointing out the choices they had made that made up there essence. They would not include other people in their response and would focus only on what their mind told them was reality.
The title for this blog isn't necessarily an oxymoron, because a true existentialist would know who they were and therefore what an existentialist is and existentialism truely is. So in the end, only a true existentialst can understand existentialism.
6:35 PM
I do believe that the title is an oxymoron. Because nobody will ever have a definite concrete answer to what existentialism really is so we won’t be able to understand it. An existentialist would believe that you are your own self. You make up who you are, what you believe, and where you want to go. Nothing else has control or a say in this except you.
10:48 AM
Well, its says that we do what we believe, what we want to do, how we dress, how we act. It all comes from ourselves. But do we really do that? Do we not take any criticism from anyone else in the world? Do we not act on what other people do? Does it all entirely just come from ourselves? I don't think that's possible. Can you be a full existentialist? Maybe if you never came into contact with anyone else in your life.
10:04 AM
An existentialist would answer the question: Who are you? by saying that a person is whoever they want to be. They would say that a person can make their own destiny and it's up to them who they want to be. I do believe that the title for this blog is an oxymoron because there is no definite way to understand existentialism because no one truly understands it.
12:50 PM
If an existentialist were answering the question "who are you" they would say you are who you desire to be. A person encounters themself in the world and can choose to act one way or another. However, peoples actions reflect on circumstances that involve others. One may think they know who they are as an individual but they are still following someone elses path. I think the title of the blog is an oxymoran because there is never a full understanding of existentialism. It is an abstract way of defining a person in their existence and it is too far out to completely grasp.
9:34 AM
An existentialist would answer the question "Who are you" by saying what they truely beleive in, or what they are willing to fight for. They would say that personal responsibility and discipline is crucial in their life and there are things that affect them that are not rational. The existentialist answering this question would mostly say that they believe society destroys individualism and makes a person become whatever is reflectd around them and that they try their hardest not to be dehumanized and reduced to being an object.
The title, "Understanding Existentialism" is an oxymoron because I dont think existentialism has a perfect definiation. An existentialist does what they want to do and is who they want to be. For someone to understand the way a person is, I think, is sometimes inexplicable.
4:00 PM
Existentialism is human's analysis of existence and the way humans find themselves existing in the world. An existentialis would answer the question 'who are you' by first saying that he/she is a human. A human who seeks answer of who they are and their purpose of existence in the world. A human who is responsible for every choice they make for their lives in order to define themselves. Humans has to act. Through our acts, we are free to assign values to whatever choices we make in life and also to give our lives meaning. The title Existentialism is not an oxymoron because the word does not contradict each other. The root word existence and existentialism itself have the same meaning and that is to exist.
4:46 PM
I think an existentialist would answer the question "who are you?" in a very different way than the majority of us. When we answer the question a lot of the things we describe ourselves by are views of other people, such as age or personality. I think an existentailist would answer in a way that would be hard for others to comprehend because it would seem vague to outsiders. I think it would be vague because answers would be more along the lines of "I am who I am, and I am going where I want to go".
I definately think that understanding existentialism is an oxymoron because I dont think a person can fully understand it. I say this because it is so unique to each person and their own views that it is hard to grasp the whole concept.
5:35 PM
I think that an existentialist would answer the question with what makes them truely happy, and what makes them unique. I think they would answer completely with their heart, and what they believe. They would only focus on themselves and the decisions they have made in their lives, and leave everyone else out. They would answer the question only on what they believe, and no let anyone else influence them.
6:23 PM
an existentialist would say that you make your self who you are and that ideas and things around you may influenece a little but it is you in the end who has to decide who you really are. no it would not be an oxymoron because no one truly can say what exitentialism is.
7:33 PM
In my opinion I think an existentialist would answer the question with staying true to himself. He would not be influenced or have a care in the world of what others thought. I think he would be able to explain his true feelings. He would not let other people influence his answer and because of that he would have a true and right explanation of who he was.
I think that existentialism IS an oxymoron... An oxymoron is bizarre and a self contradictory effect while I do not think anyone can truly grasp existentialism.
7:59 PM
An existentialist would answer the question "Who Am I" by not describing what they are, such as being male or female, or having blonde or red hair, but instead, they would describe themselves as to who they literally are, like a kind or hateful person, or a optimist or a pessimist. Basically, they would be focusing more on the inside qualities than on the qualities that we see on the outside. Regarding the second question, I think that it really is an oxymoron to try and understand what existentialism is. I believe that each person will view existentialism in a diffferent way, so it is kind of hard to come up with a concrete defintition of what existentialism really is.
8:04 PM
I believe that an existentialist would answer the question, "Who Are You?" by looking at their life in their eyes and what they truely believe and feel. Existentialists have a unique way of thinking about life and are not influenced by religions or other factors of life that affect the way humans think. I do think that the title "Understanding Existentialism" is an oxymoron because the two words directly contradict eachother as in the same sense of jumbo shrimp or bittersweet.
8:10 PM
The definition of existentialism is "a philosophical attitude associated esp. with Heidegger, Jaspers, Marcel, and Sartre, and opposed to rationalism and empiricism, that stresses the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices." (dictionary.com) So, if an existenialist was asked the question, "who are you," then they would answer the question in way that was not rational and would answer it in a way that was authentic to them. They would not let anyone else influence their answer in any way. And yes, existentialism is an oxymoron. It's meaning is different to everyone and hence, the concept can never truely be defined.
jordan youngblade
8:12 PM
I believe that an existentialist would answer the question, "Who Are You?" by looking at their life in their eyes and what they truely believe and feel. Existentialists have a unique way of thinking about life and are not influenced by religions or other factors of life that affect the way humans think. I do think that the title "Understanding Existentialism" is an oxymoron because the two words directly contradict eachother as in the same sense of jumbo shrimp or bittersweet.
8:15 PM
An existentialist answer of “who are you” would be completely different from others answer. An existentialist doesn’t truly know who they are because they are too caught up in trying to define how others live their life completely different to everyone elses around them. So they would describe themselves as comparing themselves to others, an observer, they are trying to find a true meaning of life and they live their life through confusion.
Understanding existentialism is somewhat an oxymoron, which can be viewed in many different ways. One way to view it is that we do understand that existentialist’s revolve their life around the theory that everyone views life differently, but it becomes an oxymoron because many existentialists don’t really have a main understanding of what their theories of life are.
8:21 PM
For the question proposed in class, "Who are you, and how do you know?" An Existentialist would respond in a manner such that they would state they are what they are, and being such know that everything they are has both its benefits and consequences. They would say that they are personally responsible for what they are and that all decisions they make are of their own will and have stress and consequences behind them.
I do not believe that the title itself is an oxymoron, but the purpose of the blog itself is in that existentialism finds that when people, or students are forced that their rules be accepted and obeyed. This is true in forcing a homework assignment that would force a belief in that existentialism is this, instead of allowing an individual to follow it as they see fit knowing the consequences of their choices. The belief itself is following that of the Ophelia syndrome where the student is forced into what they are by not knowing what they should be themselves.
9:08 PM
An existentialist want to be able to define who everyone else is and get to absorbed with others actions they have lost the definition in itself. As an existentialist, you will not let the impact on others affect who you are as a person, this is impossible. The meaning varies within everyone’s thoughts, making it a complete oxymoron. It is true that society has some what destroyed the view of individuality but, how it can not. Clearly, existentialism is impossible.
9:12 PM
An existentialist would feel they were unifluenced by thier world as they do not understand the point to thier existence within it. Therefor they would always feel responible for thier actions and situation.
10:18 PM
If i was an Existentialist i would answer the question by simply saying... "i am who i live everyday to be".
Existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The belief is that people are searching to find out who and what they are throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook.
10:21 PM
I am a believer of many. One who goes forth and strives to achieve. But, I am also one to never show her true self. For the fear of reality, and what it could consist of. If you ask me what I am. I can't entirely answer your question honestly. If i answer your question honestly, it will be of nothing.
Existentalism is something that we all are, religious or not, democrat or republican. It doesn't matter what you are, as long as you are living, you will be an existentalist.
10:48 PM
Through an existentialists eyes, the question "who are you" is simple... you are your experiences and one can and does choose who they are. One chooses the path they take, for, existentialism is individual existence, freedom, and choice. You are who you choose to be. An existentialist beleives that man exists and in the existence man defines himself and the world with his own subjectivity. Therefore, an existentialist would answer the question by simply saying you are who you choose to be. Whatever path you choose... choice is all we have and we are defined by our choices.
The title of this blog post is an oxymoron in my eyes because existentialism is almost imposible to have a short definition. Existentialsm is a difficult concept to understand and to decribe simply. So, the title "Understanding Existentialsm" is no doubt an oxymoron because I dont think very many truly understand existentialism...atleast not in the same ways.
12:34 PM
An existentialist would say that the question of who are you isn't simple and isn't attainable. They simply cannot find every answer in the world that resolves with this concept. Contradicting everything always makes it impossible to see the conclusions in one thing that connects with everything. We are everything but at the same time we are nothing.
9:37 PM
I answered the question "who are you?" in class with many adjectives I thought up on the spot. However, if an existentialist were to answer this quetion, I think they might answer simply by saying they don't know. We all think we know exactly who we are, but the truth is, we don't. We are all experiencing and learning new things everyday. At many times these new teachings alter our thinking and perspective on certain things, then in result, changes us, which is what life is all about, right? Finding yourself.
I think that the title of this blog, "Understanding Existentialism", can be an oxymoron, or can not be, depending on how you look at it. It is an oxymoron in the logical sense that there is no universal definition to it. However, you can understand existentialism by hearing everyones perspective on the meaning to fully understand it for yourself, in your own way.
7:04 PM
Existentialists put emphasis on individual existence, freedom, and choice and therefore define their existence based on the finding of these. An existentialist would answer the question "Who are you?" by not telling who he is but telling who he has become. He would go through the events in his past that have defined his existence but would leave out anything else in the world that did not relate to his own personal existence. They would reflect on the choices they have made because they believe that our choices define who we are.
The title of the blog is partially an oxymoron because there is no single,correct definition of existentialism;it is based on the individual. Because the idea can only be understood individually, it is possible to have an understanding but it will be unique to your own views and others may disagree.
10:20 AM
I might merely answer that I am, That may not be the most sophisticated answer, however, it can explain a lot. I am, I have lived, I have existed, I have worked with others, I think that this is a small insight into existenttialism. Rather than have a definite answer, the above answer might be given, since ones life has to be spent in thought about these answers I think that the vague answers would work.
6:05 AM
The title could be infured as an oxymoron because existantialism cannot really be understand with one definate answer. The only way it can be understood is by someones own meaning of it, the meaning can be different as night and day for two different people.
9:43 AM
An Existentialist would answer the question who am I without actually saying anything about what they do. They would say something along the lines of I am me or I am a being with a mind. The existentialist does not look at who they are but why they are. It would not be an answer of who they are but just that they are what they are because of some reason that cannot be comprehended.
The title of this blog is not an oxymoron because There is an answer to existentialist thinking but it cannot be written down or seen it just is. If the title had said to write down existentialism or answer existentialism it would be an oxymoron but for now, it is just a statement about existentialism.
9:47 PM
An existentialist would answer the question "Who Am I" by not saying what they do for fun or in their free time, instead they would describe themselves as to who they literally are. An existentialist answer could also be considered a very vague answer. For example I am what I am and I do what i want to do. I definately think extistentialism is an an oxymoron because it is hard for one person to fully understand and grasp the meaning of existentialism.
6:38 AM
An existentialist would answer the question "Who Am I" by not saying what they do for fun or in their free time, instead they would describe themselves as to who they literally are. An existentialist answer could also be considered a very vague answer. For example I am what I am and I do what i want to do. I definately think extistentialism is an an oxymoron because it is hard for one person to fully understand and grasp the meaning of existentialism.
6:39 AM
I think an existentialist is someone who takes everything life gives them and makes their own choices about what to do with the options they have without any outside influences. An existentialist would say they are who they choose to be.
I don't think the word is an oxymoron because there is no paradox in being someone who is existing for themselves.
12:40 PM
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