Chapter12：存在主义与文学ExistentialismLiterature.pptVIP

Chapter 12: 存在主義 與 文學Existentialism Literature I. Philosophy vs. Literature Philosophy is the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. Logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics (ontology, cosmology), etc. Philosophy is abstract literature. Literature is writing regarded as having permanent worth through its intrinsic excellence: poetry, drama, fiction, or prose. Literature is concrete philosophy. 哲學是抽象推理論說的文學，文學是具体展示例証的哲學。 II. The Existentialist Philosophy: A. Basic Ideas: 1. Existence precedes essence. 存在先於本質。 Everybody exists before he/she has any  essence that can be said of him/her. 2. Existence is absurd. 存在是荒謬的。 It is absurd because no certain and no exact essence  (meaning or purpose) can be fixed on one’s (or mankind’s) life. ab- (離開) -surd (無理根) : 無定值、無精確答案 3. Essence is the result of free choice. 本質為自由抉擇 之 結果。 Everybody (or mankind) is free to set up his essence by choosing  to do what he wants to do in the course of his existence. B. Main Existentialist Philosophers: Kierkegaard (齊克果): He thinks that this world is a world without preexisting truths, values, or general laws. 世上原本無真理、價值、或通則定律 He regards truth as nothing but inner commitment. (For him, truth = faith). Therefore, for him “subjectivity is truth, and truth is subjectivity.” He finds that people often make choices between esthetic and ethical ways of life. (Either/Or) 人生在於求美或求善 He concludes that God is the mythic, eternal reality for faith. 神是供人信仰的神秘與永恆之實体 To believe in God needs “leap to faith” or “leap of faith.” A believer is a knight of faith. 2. Heidegger Jaspers Heidegger (海德格)： For him, existence is “Dasein” : “being there,” “being in the world,” “being thrown into the world.” Such existence or being is finit