In today reading the author explains, in a very brief overview, existentialism. He shared Jean-Paul Sarte's interpretation in that people are solely responsible for what happens in their lives because there is no God. He also quoted the behavioral psychologist B. F. Skinner who believed that it was not the will to be free but just behavioral processes characteristic of human beings to avoid the averse features of the environment.
For Further Reflection:
Explains that existentialism is different from metaphyiscalism or transcendentalism because it proponents hold that by manipulating their environment and negotating their needs with others they control their destiny. If they failed then they were in the world of Sartre's play whose mantra was "Hell is other people".
The "Try This" assignment:
Read an introduction to existentialism. The suggested reading is The Philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. Then after absorbing this challenging material, write an essay in which you support or refute Sartre's views, or existentialism itself.
Although this sounds like and interesting subject to argue against I really do not have time right now to do the necessary research. However might be something I work on over the Thanksgiving Holiday in order to publish an essay. Really need to get my Alabama Virtual Library card renewed first.
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