A Critical Analysis of Platos and Sartres Views on...

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PLATO’S AND SARTRE’S VIEWS ON EXISTENCE Introduction In order to understand the meaning of existence in relation to philosophy, we need to discuss its ordinary meaning and the various levels of existence. The Chambers Concise Dictionary (1992, 362) defines ‘exist’ as having an actual being; to live; to occur; to continue to live’ and it defines existence as ‘the state of existing or being’. In other words, the Dictionary does not make a distinction between existence and living. However, philosophically there is the view that existence is different from living. What then is the meaning of existence in philosophy? In order to answer this question we shall examine how philosophers have used the term in their†¦show more content†¦Sartre expressed the existentialist position in the phrase that â€Å"existence precedes essence† This phrase means that it is the particular individual existence that is more important than the essence of the individual. As a matter of fact, Sartre believed that h uman beings do not possess any essential quality by which their nature is defined. Thus it is the individual human being who is able to define his/her own existence and whatever the individual is or what she is to become is a product of her own free choice. Sartre’s existentialism is a form of atheism in the sense that God is not recognized as a creator of human beings. This view will not go well with Christians. Thus according to Phelan (2005: 312) â€Å"Sartre’s existentialism is equated with mean, vulgar, ugly and scandalous act and therefore, all moral guidance or comments on other people’s action will be rendered meaningless†. However, in certain situations, it is allowed that criticism can be made of certain human actions with certain degree of consensus that such criticisms are appropriate. Sartre used the ‘Paper Knife Argument’ (Phelan, 2005) to explain his view that â€Å"existence precedes essence†. The paper knife argument i s the argument used by Sartre to define existentialism as a rejection of both theism and essentialism. Sartre’sShow MoreRelatedAllegory of the Cave Plato6021 Words   |  25 Pagesunawareness because it is all we know. Platos Allegory of the Cave† captures the essence of the journey to enlightenment. Clearly, the thought of sameness and normality thinking has transcended from Platos time to today. Thus, the allegory is relevant to contemporary essential life. Organizations are known for fostering a culture of group thinking. The danger inherent in group thinking is the object lesson that Plato tries to convey. When we refuse to engage in critical thinking, we are forced into a false