As Pecorino (2000) defined it, “existentialism is a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice that influenced many diverse writers in the 19th and 20th centuries”. From the definition, it can be said that it is a view that all humans should determine their own meaning in life, and therefore try to make rational decisions in spite of existing in an irrational universe. The central point of the idea is the question of human existence, and the feeling that there is no purpose or explanation at the innermost of existence. It further holds that there is no God or any other superior force, and that the only means to opposed this nonexistence is by willingly accepting existence. The following paragraphs …show more content…
It’s point out at the potential on people to become great. On this point, it further stresses out and focuses on what the heathiest and happiest people do and what everyone else can do to get there. The next strength of existentialism is that it emphasizes individuality and autonomy. Therefore individuals are encourage to focus on their decisions, and great stress is given to free will. Another strong strength is that emphasis is laid on individual’s own experience and viewpoints.
Looking at the major weaknesses of existentialism, it can be pointed out that it is based on philosophical concepts that are not practical and are somehow vague. Because of this, it is not empirical in nature, and it is non scientific and hard to confirm with science. Therefore it is problematic to many people as they believe that it is impossible to know how true or how well its works if it is not scientifically proven.
I found it appealing when Sartre mentioned that there is “no proof of souls or spirits or ghosts or deities and thus their existence is nothing other than what people make a decision to believe”Pecorino (2000). This is such appealing because I keep wondering why such things keep coming up without any backing to convince one to