by John Devera

Created on: January 07, 2009

To understand the moral principles that should guide existentialists, then one must understand what an existentialist is. The basic requirements for being an existentialist are accepting that we live in a meaningless universe and then accepting that we are our choices. That means that the most important principles that express existentialist morality are integrity, sincerity, authenticity, compassion and freedom of choice. Understand that existentialism is not for wimps or hedonists or amoral cretins or bigots. It is a very complex and difficult philosophy to embrace.

The existentialist believes firmly and devoutly that there is no inherent meaning to the universe, and that the four thousand or so years of human history merely cloud those philosophical waters. In essence, the existentialist hero is THE ABSURD HERO. The universe is absurd, and the existentialist understands that and accepts it. He divorces himself from all the false doctrines, belief systems and philosophies that have attempted to apply meaning to what is in nature meaningless. He is, essentially, alone in the universe, a self surrounded by others with whom he has no connection. That's the starting point for the existentialist.

The conclusion for the existentialist is the discovery of the self. We are our choices, so anything and everything from outside of us that oppresses us and attempts to impose meaning upon us, is the enemy. God cannot tell us what is right and wrong, politicians cannot tell us what is right and wrong, our parents cannot tell us what is right and wrong. We live in a meaningless universe, and our morality must flow from within us, and exhibit itself in our choices, and ultimately our actions.

So, as for morality, for the existentialist, the foremost "good," is integrity. We must be honest with ourselves. We must not lie to ourselves. Santa Clause may be a wonderful idea, it may get us presents, it might be accepted by everyone around us. But if we know that Santa Clause is not real, then lying to ourselves about it, no matter what the consequences, makes us less human. And that is the greatest evil: to be less human, to be less authentic.

The sincerity of an existentialist is in direct proportion to his authenticity. How real he is depends on how much he lives his truths. Now, this belief system starts with the notion that there is no universal truth, no objective scale upon which to measure our actions. No ten commandments, no golden rule, no doctrine or dogma. Instead, the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>