Reddit mentions of Existentialism and Human Emotion (A Philosophical Library Book)

Existentialism and Human Emotions, by Sartre, is only 96 pages and quite an easy read. {ISBN-13: 978-0806509020} Existentialism and the Philosophical Tradition, [Raymond], gives a broad selection of thinkers throughout history, but it is pricey. {ISBN-13: 978-0132957755} Another approach would be texts that are not strictly philosophical yet present some existential points such as: The Plague, The Stranger, and The Rebel, all by Camus, Nausea by Sartre, Notes From Underground, by Dostoevsky, or Waiting For Godot by Beckett

Perhaps it's not a very bluntly atheistic text, but Existentialism and Human Emotions by Jean-Paul Sartre is one that I thoroughly enjoyed and found to be a good stepping stone in terms of agreeableness.

http://www.amazon.com/Existentialism-Human-Emotion-Philosophical-Library/dp/0806509023

Hey, don't forget that free action still requires justification. Actually, your freedom comes with immense responsibility. I know tons of people have commented already, but I'm taking a semester of existentialism right now and you're channeling Sartre and de Beauvoir - at least these two books of theirs which I read over the weekend. I'd recommend de Beauvoir's more, but Sartre's is very clear and concise.


By the way, in my opinion, this is something which all people need to realize, so big kudos to you my friend. Now, go out in the worlds and do something positive with it! Teach someone else about their freedom!

Ah yeah. I would continue research the neuroscience stuff for the layperson. Really fascinating stuff that can be of great help. Especially the stuff relating to stroke victims and their before/afters. Really helps to put the brain into perspective.

And the existential/nihilistic stuff... It seems that there are two separate mindsets when it comes to being an existentialist, and they are almost polar opposites in their effect upon the individual. I think the difference stems from a misinterpretation of existentialism's heavily nuanced response to the root question of all philosophy: "What is the point?"/"What does it all mean?".

Existentialism is not, in practice at least, nihilistic. When asked, what is the point, an existentialist will respond in this manner, "The point is what you decide it to be. Meaning is derived from what you decide to find meaning in." The nihilism comes from the notion that, yes, an existentialist does not believe there is any intrinsic or knowable 'meaning' within the workings of the universe, or even a man's place within it. BUT, the fact that you exist, coupled with the ability to make conscious decisions, means that you can insert meaning into a void that previously had none. Once this is understood, this is an extremely empowering notion. So in this sense, there is intrinsic meaning within the universe, as man is indeed an intrinsic part of the universe, and it is the individual that creates meaning. Outside of man, yes, nihilistic tendencies should reign supreme. But there is no outside of man, for you, me, or anyone else for that matter.

Sartre for example, thought of Che Guevera as the epitome of mankind. Here was a man who was leading a revolution, not because he was forced to, and not because he was brought up to do so. He made the conscious and willing decision to take responsibility for something which he did not need to. He inserted his own meaning into the void - through his actions he stated clearly his existence and intention to carry it out to its greatest extent. Needlessly to say, suicide was the furthest thing from his mind. *Just a note here - whether or not you agree with Guevera's actions is irrelevant. The point here is that he did act, and the he lived for the causes of his own choosing, and affected his environment in a large way.

You should read Sartre's Existentialism and Human Emotions: http://www.amazon.com/Existentialism-Human-Emotions-Philosophical-Library/dp/0806509023

It is not a difficult book to read, and I think it would be well worth it.

All this being said, I don't necessarily consider myself an existentialist. I'm still working on it, give me a few more hours to let it settle, haha. Hopefully this might give you something to chew on in the meantime though.

And btw, your 'friends' sound like assholes based your account. Not everyone is like that.


edit: I realize you are probably aware of most of this... I am just making sure...Would love to hear your perspective on it regardless.