,EXI/5TIALISM1 ,M>XISM & ,AN>*ISM 

#aidi 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,H]B]T ,READ 

,TEXT 3 

  

,PHOTO BY DUNCAN C1,C,C ,B,Y-,N,C ,LIC5SE  
,! ORIG9S ( ! EXI/5TIALI/ MOVEM5T >E USUALLY TRAC$ BACK TO ,KI]KEGA>D1 :OSE MA9 PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS APPE>$ BETWE5 #ah* & #a#h#e#e4 ,AS !SE W]E WRITT5 9 ,DANI%1 !Y DID NOT IMM$IATELY GET 9TO G5]AL CIRCULATION4 ,V>I\S SELECTIONS MADE BY ,B>?OLD W]E PUBLI%$ 9 ,G]MANY BETWE5 #ahgc & ! 5D ( ! N9ETE5? C5TURY1 BUT ! FIR/ COMPLETE ,G]MAN TRANSLATION ( HIS WORKS ONLY APPE>$ BETWE5 #aii & #a#i#b#c1 & ! ,ANGLO-,AM]ICAN TRANSLATION BEGAN AS LATE AS #a#i#c#f4 ,H[EV]1 !RE IS NO EXCUSE = MAK+ ,KI]KEGA>D ! F\ND] ( EXI/5TIALISM4 ,IT IS TRUE ?AT HE GAVE ! MOVEM5T A SPECIFICALLY ,*RI/IAN TWI/1 BUT ALL ! MA9 IDEAS W]E ALREADY PRES5T 9 ! PHILOSOPHY ( ,S*ELL+1 & ONE %\LD REMEMB] ?AT ,KI]KEGA>D1 H[EV] MU* HE MAY HAVE CRITICIZ$ ,S*ELL+1 WAS NEV]!LESS AT FIR/ PR(\NDLY 9FLU5C$ BY ?IS GREAT ,G]MAN PHILOSOPH]1 & 9 #ahda MADE A SPECIAL VOYAGE TO ,B]L9 9 ORD] TO SIT AT HIS FEET4 ,9CID5TALLY1 LONG BE=E ,KI]KEGA>D \R [N ,COL]IDGE HAD BE5 READ+ ,S*ELL+'S E>LY WORKS1 & WE F9D 9 ,COL]IDGE'S LESS]-KN[N WRIT+S A GOOD DEAL ( EXI/5TIALI/ ?\<T4 ,AS ,I HAVE PO9T$ \T ELSE:]E1 .<#a.> ALL ! MA9 CONCEPTS ( MOD]N EXI/5TIALISM -- ,ANG/1 ! ABYSS1 IMM$IACY1 ! PRIORITY ( EXI/5CE TO ESS5CE >E TO BE F\ND 9 ,COL]IDGE1 & MO/ ( !SE CONCEPTS ,COL]IDGE NO D\BT GOT FROM ,S*ELL+4 

,IT IS NECESS>Y = MY PRES5T PURPOSE TO GIVE SOME G5]AL DESCRIPTION ( ! EXI/5TIALI/ ATTITUDE 9 PHILOSOPHY1 BUT ,I AM NOT A PR(ESSIONAL PHILOSOPH] & ,I DO NOT 9T5D TO USE ! TE*NICAL T]M9OLOGY 9 :I* QUITE OBVI\S FACTS OR IDEAS >E (T5 CLO!D4 ,IT W\LD SEEM ?AT ! PHILOSOPH] :O CALLS HIMSELF AN EXI/5TIALI/ BEG9S ) AN ACUTE ATTACK ( SELF-CONSCI\SNESS1 OR 9W>DNESS1 AS HE PREF]S TO CALL IT4 ,HE IS SUDD5LY AW>E ( HIS SEP>ATE LONELY 9DIVIDUALITY1 & HE CONTRA/S ?IS1 NOT ONLY ) ! RE/ ( ! HUMAN SPECIES1 BUT ) ! :OLE GO+S-ON ( ! UNIV]SE1 AS !Y HAVE BE5 REVEAL$ BY SCI5TIFIC 9VE/IGATION4 ,!RE HE IS1 A F9ITE & 9SIGNIFICANT SPECK ( PROTOPLASM PIT*$ AGA9/ ! 9F9ITE EXT5T ( ! UNIV]SE4 ,IT IS TRUE ?AT MOD]N PHYSICI/S MAY HAVE SUCCE$$ 9 PROV+ ?AT ! UNIV]SE ITSELF IS ALSO F9ITE1 BUT ?AT ONLY MAKES MATT]S WORSE1 = N[ ! UNIV]SE %R9KS TO LITTL5ESS & IS PIT*$ AGA9/ ! /ILL MORE MY/]I\S CONCEPT ( ,NO?+NESS4 ,?IS IS NOT M]ELY SOME?+ 9F9ITE2 IT IS SOME?+ HUMANLY 9CONCEIVABLE4 ,HEIDEGG] HAS DEVOT$ ONE ( HIS MO/ 9TRIGU+ ESSAYS TO AN ATTEMPT -- NOT TO DEF9E ! 9DEF9ABLE -- BUT TO DEF9E ! NEGATION ( ,BE+1 ,NON-,BE+1 OR ,NO?+NESS4 

,SO !RE WE HAVE ! ,LITTLE ,MAN GAP+ 9TO ! ABYSS1 & FEEL+ -- = HE /ILL RETA9S AN 9F9ITE CAPACITY = S5SATION -- NOT ONLY V]Y SMALL1 BUT T]RIFI$4 ,?AT FEEL+ IS ! ORIG9AL ,ANG/1 ! DREAD OR ANGUI%1 & IF Y\ DO NOT FEEL ,ANG/ Y\ CANNOT BE AN EXI/5TIALI/4 ,I AM GO+ TO SUGGE/ PRES5TLY ?AT WE NE$ NOT NECESS>ILY FEEL ,ANG/1 BUT ALL EXI/5TIALI/S DO1 & !IR PHILOSOPHY BEG9S 9 ?AT FACT4 ,!RE >E TWO FUNDAM5TAL REACTIONS TO ,ANG/3 WE CAN SAY ?AT ! REALIZATION ( MAN'S 9SIGNIFICANCE 9 ! UNIV]SE CAN BE MET BY A K9D ( DESPAIRFUL DEFIANCE4 ,I MAY BE 9SIGNIFICANT1 & MY LIFE A USELESS PASSION1 BUT AT LEA/ ,I CAN COCK A SNOOK AT ! :OLE %[ & PROVE ! 9DEP5D5CE ( MY M9D1 MY CONSCI\SNESS4 ,LIFE OBVI\SLY HAS NO MEAN+1 BUT LET US PRET5D ?AT IT HAS4 ,?IS PRET5SE WILL AT ANY RATE GIVE ! 9DIVIDUAL A S5SE ( RESPONSIBILITY3 HE CAN PROVE ?AT HE IS A LAW UNTO HIMSELF1 & HE CAN EV5 5T] 9TO AGREEM5T ) HIS FELL[-M5 AB\T C]TA9 L9ES ( CONDUCT :I*1 9 ?IS SITUATION1 !Y %\LD ALL ADOPT4 ,HE IS FREE TO DO ?IS1 & HIS FRE$OM ?US GR[S 9TO A S5SE ( RESPONSIBILITY4 ,?IS IS ,S>TRE'S DOCTR9E1 BUT HE DOES NOT MAKE V]Y CLE> :AT W\LD HAPP5 SUPPOS+ HE C\LD NOT P]SUADE HIS FELL[-M5 TO AGREE ON C]TA9 L9ES ( CONDUCT1 OR C]TA9 VALUES4 ,I ?9K HE W\LD PROBABLY SAY ?AT A MEASURE ( AGREEM5T IS 5SUR$ BY \R HUMAN PR$ICAM5T1 ?AT BE+ :AT WE >E1 :5 \R EXI/5TIAL SITUATION IS MADE CLE>1 WE >E B\ND TO ACT FREELY 9 A C]TA9 WAY4 ,\R NECESSITY BECOMES \R FRE$OM4 ,BUT ,I AM NOT SURE AB\T ?IS4 ,! *>ACT]S 9 ,S>TRE'S NOVELS & PLAYS T5D TO ACT ABSURDLY1 OR ACCORD+ TO !IR PSY*OLOGICAL DISPOSITIONS1 & >E NOT NOTICEABLY RESPONSIBLE TO ANY IDEAL ( SOCIAL PROGRESS4 

,?IS ASPECT ( EXI/5TIALISM SEEMS TO ME TO HAVE A GOOD DEAL 9 COMMON ) ,VAIH+]'S PHILOSOPHY ( 'AS IF4' ,WE CANNOT BE SURE ?AT WE >E FREE1 OR ?AT WE >E RESPONSIBLE = \R [N DE/9Y1 BUT WE BEHAVE AS IF WE W]E4 ,& BY A NATURAL EXT5SION EXI/5TIALISM E/ABLI%ES A RELATION%IP ) PRAGMATISM - IT IS SIGNIFICANT ?AT MANY ( ,S>TRE'S LIT]>Y 5?USIASMS >E ,AM]ICAN1 & ,AM]ICA IS ! HOME ( PRAGMATISM4 ,BUT1 FROM ,S>TRE'S PO9T ( VIEW1 PRAGMATISM ( ANY K9D IS TOO SUP]FICIAL3 IT IS BAS$ ON DAY TO DAY PROC$URES1 A SORT ( BALANCE %EET ( SUCCESS & FAILURE1 :]EAS ! EXI/5TIALI/ MU/ = EV] KEEP 9 VIEW ! T]RIFY+ NATURE ( \R HUMAN PR$ICAM5T4,TO ?AT EXT5T1 P]HAPS1 EXI/5TIALISM REPRES5TS AN ADVANCE 9 PHILOSOPHICAL RECTITUDE4 

,MORE PR(\NDLY /ILL1 ! EXI/5TIALI/S OBJECT TO PRAGMATISM & O!R SU* PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHIES 79CLUD+1 AS WE %ALL SEE PRES5TLY1 M>XISM7 ON ! GR\ND ?AT !Y >E MAT]IALI/IC4 ,ANY =M ( MAT]IALISM1 BY MAK+ HUMAN VALUES DEP5D5T ON ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL CONDITIONS1 DEPRIVES MAN ( HIS FRE$OM4 ,FRE$OM IS ! CAPACITY TO RISE ABOVE ONE'S MAT]IAL 5VIRONM5T4 ',! POSSIBILITY ( DETA*+ ONESELF FROM A SITUATION 9 ORD] TO TAKE A PO9T ( VIEW CONC]+ IT 7SAYS ,S>TRE7 IS PRECISELY :AT WE CALL FRE$OM4 ,NO SORT ( MAT]IALISM WILL EV] EXPLA9 ?IS TRANSC5D5CE ( A SITUATION1 FOLL[$ BY A TURN+ BACK TO IT4 ,A *A9 ( CAUSES & EFFECTS MAY WELL IMPEL ME TO AN ACTION1 OR AN ATTITUDE1 :I* WILL ITSELF BE AN EFFECT & WILL MODIFY ! /ATE ( ! WORLD3 IT CANNOT CAUSE ME TO TURN BACK TO MY SITUATION TO APPREH5D IT 9 ITS TOTALITY4' .<#b.> 

,?AT TURN+-BACK TO A SITUATION IS ! METAPHYSICAL ACT !RE IS NO?+ 9 \R 5VIRONM5T TO COMPEL US TO ADOPT A METAPHYSICAL ATTITUDE4 ,?AT IS A PROCESS ( RIS+ SUP]IOR TO \R 5VIRONM5T1 ( SEE+ ?+S1 ( SEE+ ALL NATURE1 FROM A PO9T ( VIEW EXT]NAL TO NATURE4 ,! M>XI/ MAY PROTE/ ?AT ?AT IS ALL POPPY-COCK - !RE IS NO POSSIBILITY ( LIFT+ \RSELVES \TSIDE NATURE BY \R [N %OE-/RAPS4 ,BUT ?AT IS ! CRUX ( ! :OLE QUE/ION4 ,! EXI/5TIALI/1 IT SEEMS TO ME1 IS B\ND TO ASS]T ?AT MANK9D HAS DEVELOP$ A SPECIAL FACULTY1 CONSCI\SNESS1 OR 9TELLECTUAL SELF AW>5ESS1 :I* 5ABLES HIM TO DO PRECISELY ?AT TRICK4 ,9 ?IS MATT] ,I AM 9CL9$ TO BE ON ! SIDE ( ! EXI/5TIALI/4 ,! HI<] =MS ( ANIMAL CONSCI\SNESS >E CONNECT$ ) ?IS IMPULSE TO DETA*M5T - DETA*M5T FROM ! H]D1 FROM SOCIETY1 FROM ANY SITUATION 9CLUD+ ! SITUATION ( MAN VIS A VIS ! UNIV]SE4 ,IT CAN BE >GU$ ) =CE ?AT PRECISELY SU* CAPACITY = DETA*M5T IS ! CAUSE ( \R SOCIAL DISEASE1 \R DISUNITY1 & AGGRESSIV5ESS2 BUT IT MU/ ALSO BE ADMITT$ ?AT \R MAJOR ADVANCES 9 SCI5TIFIC ?\<T >E ALSO DUE TO ! DEVELOPM5T & USE ( ?IS SAME FACULTY4 ,BUT !RE IS A DANG] 9H]5T 9 DETA*M5T :I* ! EXI/5TIALI/ FULLY REALIZES4 ,IT IS ! DANG] ( IDEALISM4 ,9 DETA*M5T WE ELABORATE A PHILOSOPHY1 A SOCIAL UTOPIA1 :I* HAS NO RELEVANCE TO ! CONDITIONS WE >E AT ANY MOM5T LIV+ ?R\<4 ,! EXI/5TIALI/ !RE=E SAYS ?AT MAN1 HAV+ EXP]I5C$ HIS S5SE ( DETA*M5T OR FRE$OM1 MU/ ?R[ HIMSELF BACK 9TO ! SOCIAL CONTEXT ) ! 9T5TION ( *ANG+ ?OSE CONDITIONS4 ,H5CE ! DOCTR9E ( 5GAGEM5T4 ,TO QUOTE ,S>TRE AGA93 ',REVOLUTION>Y MAN MU/ BE A CONT+5T BE+1 UNJU/IFIABLE BUT FREE1 5TIRELY IMM]S$ 9 ! SOCIETY ?AT OPPRESSES HIM1 BUT CAPABLE ( TRANSC5D+ ?IS SOCIETY BY HIS EF=T TO *ANGE IT4 ,IDEALISM MY/IFIES HIM 9 ?AT IT B9DS HIM BY RI<TS & VALUES ?AT >E ALREADY GIV52 IT CONCEALS FROM HIM HIS P[] TO DEVISE ROADS ( HIS [N4 ,BUT MAT]IALISM ALSO MY/IFIES HIM1 BY DEPRIV+ HIM ( HIS FRE$OM4 ,! REVOLUTION>Y PHILOSOPHY MU/ BE A PHILOSOPHY ( TRANSC5D5CE4' .<#c.> 

,BE=E EXAM9+ ?IS DOCTR9E FROM ! PO9T ( VIEW ( M>XISM & AN>*ISM1 LET US PAUSE = A MOM5T TO EXAM9E ! O!R TYPICAL REACTION TO ,ANG/1 ! RELIGI\S REACTION1 = ?AT IS AN IDEALI/ ATTITUDE TO :I* ,S>TRE IS ALSO OBJECT+4 ,I AM NOT SURE ?AT ,I CAN DO JU/ICE TO ?IS ATTITUDE1 BUT AS IT TAKES %APE 9 ! ?\<T ( ,S*ELL+1 ,COL]IDGE1 & ,KI]KEGA>D 7& E>LI] /ILL1 9 ,SA9T ,AUGU/9E71 IT SEEMS TO AM\NT TO ?IS3 ,WE HAVE ! EXI/5TIAL POSITION - MAN CONFRONT$ BY ! ABYSS ( NO?+NESS4 ,IT JU/ DOES NOT MAKE S5SE4 ,:Y AM ,I H]E8 ,:Y ALL ?IS COMPLEX /RUCTURE1 ( :I* ,I AM A P>T1 A P>T BECOME AW>E ( ITSELF8 ,IT IS COMPLETE NONS5SE1 BUT A SIMPLE HYPO!SIS WILL MAKE S5SE ( IT ALL3 ! PRIOR EXI/5CE ( ,GOD4 ,A TRANSC5D5T CREATOR RESPONSIBLE = ! :OLE PHANTASMAGORIA ( EXI/5CE1 RESPONSIBLE = ME TOO1 & MY CONSCI\SNESS - H[ LOGICAL IT ALL BECOMES6 ,!RE MAY BE DIFFICULT SNAGS LEFT OV] - ! PROBLEMS ( EVIL & PA91 = EXAMPLE - BUT A LITTLE +5UITY WILL SOON GET OV] !M4 ,WE CAN'T EXPECT EV5 A CELE/IAL OMNIBUS TO WORK )\T A LITTLE FRICTION4 ,& SO WE GET1 IMM5SELY ELABORAT$1 ! MY/ICAL ,*RI/IAN EXI/5TIALISM ( ,KI]KEGA>D & ,GABRIEL ,M>CEL4 ,I AM NOT SUGGE/+ ?AT ?IS IS ! PO9T ( VIEW ( ! AV]AGE ,*RI/IAN1 OR ! AV]AGE !I/ ( ANY K9D2 !Y USUALLY RELY ON REVELATION1 ON SACR$ SCRIPTURES & EC/ATIC ILLUM9ATION2 BUT 9 SO F> AS ! RELIGI\S PO9T ( VIEW COMPETES 9 ! PHILOSOPHICAL FIELD1 IT IS 9DEP5D5T ( !SE SPECIAL PLEAS1 & RELIES ON LOGICAL >GUM5T4 ,IT IS ANO!R PHILOSOPHY ( AS IF2 IT MI<T BE CALL$ ! PHILOSOPHY ( ONLY ?US3 ONLY ?US DOES \R EXI/5CE MAKE S5SE4 ,! S5SE1 9 SU* A CASE1 IS ID5TICAL ) :AT !SE PHILOSOPH]S CALL ESS5CE1 & ,S>TRE1 IF NOT ,HEIDEGG] BE=E HIM1 HAS SAID ?AT ! FUNDAM5TAL !SIS ( EXI/5TIALISM IS ?AT EXI/5CE PREC$ES ESS5CE4 ,PR(ESSOR ,AY] HAS ATTACK$ ?IS PROPOSITION ON LOGICAL GR\NDS4 .<#d.> ',ESS5CE' HAS A CONFUS+ HI/ORY AS A PHILOSOPHICAL T]M4 ,IT USUALLY MEANS :AT WE CAN ASS]T AB\T ANY?+ AP>T FROM ! M]E FACT ( ITS EXI/5CE 7I4E4 SUBSI/5CE7 ! POSSIBILITIES 9H]5T 9 A ?+3 ! ,PLATONIC ,IDEA4 ,SANTAYANA1 :OSE USE ( ! T]M IS A LITTLE PECULI>1 BUT NEV]!LESS VALUABLE 9 BE+ :AT AN AV[$ MAT]IALI/ CAN ADMIT1 DEF9ES ! DIFF]5CE BETWE5 EXI/5CE & ESS5CE AS ?AT BETWE5 :AT IS ALWAYS ID5TICAL ) ITSELF & IMMUTABLE & :AT1 ON ! CONTR>Y1 IS 9 FLUX & 9DEF9ABLE4 ,?IS AGREES ) ,S>TRE'S NOTION ( CONT+5CY2 IT IS ESS5CE :I* ALL[S = ! POSSIBILITY ( *ANGE 9 ! WORLD4 ,SANTAYANA HAS A PRETTY LITTLE MY? TO DESCRIBE ! RELATION%IP3 

',BECOM+1 WE MI<T SAY1 9 ! FI]CE /RUGGLE TO G5]ATE HE KNEW NOT :AT1 BEGAT ,DIFF]5CE2 & ,DIFF]5CE1 ONCE BORN1 A/ONI%$ ITS P>5T BY GR[+ 9TO A GREAT SW>M ( ,DIFF]5CES1 UNTIL IT EXHIBIT$ ALL POSSIBLE ,DIFF]5CES1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 UNTIL IT EXHIBIT$ ! :OLE REALM ( ESS5CE4 ,UP TO ?AT TIME ,BECOM+1 :O WAS A BRISK BOLD LU/Y ,DAEMON1 HAD ?\<T HIMSELF ! COCK ( ! WALK2 BUT N[1 PA9FUL AS IT WAS = HIM TO SEE ANY TRU? :ATEV]1 HE C\LDN'T HELP SUSPECT+ ?AT HE LIV$ & MOV$ ONLY ?R\< IGNORANCE1 NOT BE+ ABLE TO MA9TA9 ! LIMITATIONS ( ANY MOM5T NOR TO ESCAPE ! LIMITATIONS ( ! NEXT1 LIKE A DANC+ ,D]VI% ?AT MU/ LIFT ONE FOOT & !N ! O!R !N ! O!R FROM ! BURN+ COALS4' .<#e.> 

,?AT IS BY ! WAY1 BUT ,SANTAYANA DOES BR+ \T MORE CLE>LY ?AN ANY O!R PHILOSOPH] ,I KN[ ! FACT ?AT IT IS BY ITS V]Y IDEALITY1 ITS NONEXI/5CE1 ?AT ESS5CE IS 9W>DLY L9K$ ) EXI/5CE2 IT IS NOT A M]E EXT5SION OR P>T ( ?AT :I* EXI/S4 ,I DO NOT ?9K ,PR(ESSOR ,AY] APPRECIATES ?IS PO9T1 BUT ,I W\LD NOT LIKE TO >GUE IT \T ) HIM1 BECAUSE IT IS NOT MY PO9T1 NOR ONE TO :I* ,I ATTA* P>TICUL> IMPORTANCE4 ,BUT IT DOES EXPLA9 :Y ,S>TRE CAN SUPPORT A NOTION LIKE FRE$OM )\T BE+ COMMITT$ TO ?AT K9D ( IDEALISM :I* 9VOLVES A :OLE SY/EM ( ABSOLUTE VALUES4 ,I DO NOT ?9K IT W\LD MAKE MU* DIFF]5CE TO ,S>TRE'S PHILOSOPHY IF = FRE$OM WE SUB/ITUT$ ! WORD FLUX4 ,:AT WE APPREH5D ( ! NATURE ( ?+S IS SUBJECT TO CON/ANT *ANGE1 & ! *ANGE IS NOT SO MU* 9H]5T 9 ! ?+ ITSELF - 9 MATT] - AS 9 \R CONSCI\SNESS OR APPREH5SION ( !SE ESS5CES4 ,ACCORD+ TO ?IS VIEW1 ESS5CES DO NOT *ANGE1 NEI!R DO !Y SUBSI/ 9 SPACE OR TIME4 ,!Y >E M]ELY !RE :5 WE P]CEIVE !M4 ,!Y BELONG TO ! OBJECT1 BUT CAN EXI/ )\T ITS MAT]IAL PRES5CE1 LIKE ! GR9 ( ! ,*E%IRE CAT 9 ,ALICE 9 ,WOND]L&4 

,R\SSEAU'S MI/AKE WAS TO TREAT FRE$OM AS AN ESS5CE1 AS AN ET]NALLY SUBSI/+ VALUE 9 MANK9D4 ,MAN IS NOT 9 ?IS S5SE 'BORN FREE4' ,HE IS BORN A M]E BUNDLE ( FLE% & BONES1 ) FRE$OM AS ONE ( ! POSSIBILITIES ( HIS EXI/5CE4 ,! ONUS IS ON MAN TO CREATE ! CONDITIONS ( FRE$OM4 ,N[ ALL ?IS MAY SEEM TO BE ( M]ELY !ORETICAL 9T]E/1 BUT ON ! CONTR>Y ?IS IS :]E EXI/5TIALISM IS MAK+ ITS GREATE/ CONTRIBUTION TO PHILOSOPHY4 ,IT IS ELIM9AT+ ALL SY/EMS ( IDEALISM1 ALL !ORIES ( LIFE OR BE+ ?AT SUBORD9ATE MAN TO AN IDEA1 TO AN AB/RACTION ( SOME SORT4 ,IT IS ALSO ELIM9AT+ ALL SY/EMS ( MAT]IALISM ?AT SUBORD9ATE MAN TO ! OP]ATION ( PHYSICAL & ECONOMIC LAWS4 ,IT IS SAY+ ?AT MAN IS ! REALITY NOT EV5 MAN 9 ! AB/RACT1 BUT ! HUMAN P]SON1 Y\ & ,I2 & ?AT EV]Y?+ ELSE FRE$OM1 LOVE1 REASON1 ,GOD IS A CONT+5CY DEP5D+ ON ! WILL ( ! 9DIVIDUAL4 ,9 ?IS RESPECT EXI/5TIALISM HAS MU* 9 COMMON ) ,MAX ,/IRN]'S EGOISM4 ,AN EXI/5TIALI/ LIKE ,S>TRE DIFF]S FROM ,/IRN] 9 ?AT HE IS WILL+ TO 5GAGE ! EGO 9 C]TA9 SUP] EGOI/IC OR IDEALI/IC AIMS4 ,HE HAS LESS 9 COMMON ) DIALECTICAL MAT]IALISM :I* REQUIRES HIM TO SUBORD9ATE HIS P]SONAL FRE$OM TO POLITICAL NECESSITY2 LESS /ILL ) ,CA?OLICISM :I* REQUIRES HIM TO SUBORD9ATE HIS P]SONAL FRE$OM TO ,GOD4 ,HE SEEKS ALLIANCE ) ,HE SEEKS ALLIANCE ) A MILITANT HUMANISM :I* BY POLITICAL & CULTURAL MEANS WILL 9 SOME UNSPECIFI$ WAY GU>ANTEE HIS P]SONAL FRE$OM4 

,LET ME ADMIT AT ?IS /AGE ( ! >GUM5T ?AT ,I F9D IT POSSIBLE TO ACCEPT SOME ( ! FUNDAM5TAL PR9CIPLES ( ,S>TRE'S EXI/5TIALISM4 ,I BELIEVE1 = EXAMPLE1 ?AT ALL PHILOSOPHY MU/ BEG9 9 SUBJECTIVITY4 ,!RE >E C]TA9 CONCRETE BASES ( EXP]I5CE - ! SO CALL$ SCI5TIFIC FACTS - TO :I* WE CAN GIVE AN EXI/5TIAL REALITY1 BUT ?\< PHILOSOPHY MAY USE !M AS A JUMP+-(F GR\ND1 !Y DO NOT 9 !MSELVES 9VOLVE ! ACCEPTANCE ( A P>TICUL> PHILOSOPHY4 ,IF !Y DID1 WE %\LD F9D ALL SCI5TI/S PR(ESS+ ! SAME PHILOSOPHY1 :I* IS V]Y F> FROM BE+ ! CASE4 ,PHILOSOPHY BEG9S :5 WE DEP>T FROM EXI/5TIAL FACTS & FL\ND] AB\T 9 ! REALM ( ESS5CES4 ,9 ?AT REALM \R SUBJECTIVE FACULTIES - 9TUITION1 ES!TIC S5SIBILITY1 ! ESEMPLA/IC P[] 7AS ,COL]IDGE CALL$ IT7 ( SUBSUM+ ! MANY UND] ! ONE - ) ALL !SE P]SONAL & UNC]TA9 MEANS WE BEG9 TO CON/RUCT A PHILOSOPHY4 ,WE %\LD /ILL BE GUID$ BY PRACTICAL REASON1 SCI5TIFIC ME?OD1 & LOGIC2 BUT !SE >E ! ME?ODS & NOT ! SUB/ANCE ( \R DISC\RSE 7A FACT (T5 =GOTT5 BY ! LOGICAL POSITIVI/S74 ,BY VIRTUE ( ?IS SUBJECTIVE ACTIVITY1 WE R$UCE IRRATIONAL ESS5CES 9TO SOME K9D ( ORD]1 ! ORD] ( A C>EFULLY CON/RUCT$ MY? OR FAIRY-TALE 7AS 9 RELIGION7 OR ! ORD] ( A COH]5T UTOPIA 7AS 9 POLITICAL IDEALISM74 .<#f.> 

,! RATIONALI/ & MAT]IALI/ MAY PROTE/ ?AT WE >E M]ELY TRY+ TO R$UCE EV]Y?+ TO ! T]MS ( \R ROMANTIC IDEALISM1 BUT WE CAN TURN ON HIM & PROVE ?AT HIS PHILOSOPHICAL /RUCTURE1 9 SPITE ( ! PSEUDO-SCI5TIFIC J>GON 9 :I* IT IS EXPRESS$1 IS 9 NO WAY DIFF]5T4 ,IT IS A /RUCTURE ( REASON1 & IT IS IDEALI/IC 9 ?AT IT DEP5DS ON FAI? - FAI? ?AT TOMORR[ WILL BE ! SAME AS TODAY1 FAI? ?AT HUMAN BE+S WILL BEHAVE 9 A WAY HE CAN CALCULATE BE=EH&1 FAI? 9 REASON ITSELF1 :I* IS1 AFT] ALL1 ONLY ! MEANS BY :I* ! SCI5TI/ KIDS HIMSELF ?AT HE UND]/&S EXI/5CE4 ,SCI5TIFIC ME?OD MAY BE ONE ?+1 & PRODUCTIVE ( SEP>ATELY ASC]TA9$ TRU?S BETWE5 :I* !RE CAN ONLY BE RELATIVE DISCONT9UITY1 A *AOS ( ATOMIZ$ FACTS2 OR SCI5TIFIC ME?OD MAY BE SOME?+ QUITE DIFF]5T & MOVE T[>DS SOME IDEAL ( H>MONY1 ( :OL5ESS & ORD]4 ,BUT SU* H>MONY 7! IDEAL ( A ,M>X NO LESS ?AN ( A ,PLATO7 IS A SUBJECTIVE P]CEPTION4 ,! COMMUNI/ 9 ?IS RESPECT DOES NOT DIFF] FROM ! ROYALI/ OR ! AN>*I/2 WE >E ALL IDEALI/S1 & ,I DO NOT SEE H[ WE CAN BE ANY?+ ELSE SO LONG AS WE BELIEVE ?AT MAN IS :AT HE MAKES ( HIMSELF4 ,! DIFF]5CE IS BETWE5 ?OSE :O BELIEVE ?AT A P>TICUL> IDEAL %\LD PR$ET]M9E MANS EXI/5CE 7:I* IS ! (FICIAL COMMUNI/ L9E7 & ?OSE :O BELIEVE 7AS ! EXI/5TIALI/S & AN>*I/S DO7 ?AT ! P]SONALITY ( MAN1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 HIS [N SUBJECTIVITY1 IS ! EXI/+ REALITY & ?AT ! IDEAL IS AN ESS5CE T[>DS :I* HE PROJECTS HIMSELF1 :I* HE HOPES TO REALIZE 9 ! FUTURE1 NOT BY RATIONAL PLANN+1 BUT BY 9N] SUBJECTIVE DEVELOPM5T4 ,! ESS5CE CAN ONLY BE GRASP$ FROM ! P>TICUL> /AGE ( EXI/5CE :I* Y\ & ,I HAVE AT ANY P>TICUL> MOM5T REA*$4 ,H5CE ! FOLLY ( ALL SO-CALL$ 'BLUE-PR9TS = ! FUTURE'2 ! FUTURE WILL MAKE ITS [N PR9TS1 & !Y WON'T NECESS>ILY BE BLUE4 

,TO MO/ PEOPLE ALL ?IS 9VOLVES A S5SE ( 9SECURITY1 AS ?\< !Y W]E SAIL+ /RANGE SEAS )\T A *>T1 P]HAPS EV5 )\T A COMPASS4 ,BUT ?AT1 AS ,S>TRE HAS PO9T$ \T1 IS ! :OLE PO9T4 ,HE QUOTES ,DO/OEVSKY - 'IF ,GOD DID NOT EXI/1 ALL W\LD BE P]MISSIBLE4' ',9 FACT1' ADMITS ,S>TRE1 'EV]Y?+ IS P]MISSIBLE IF ,GOD DOES NOT EXI/1 & CONSEQU5TLY MAN IS ADRIFT1 BECAUSE HE CANNOT F9D1 EI!R )9 HIMSELF OR )\T1 ANY?+ TO CL+ TO4 ,AT FIR/ HE IS )\T EXCUSES4 ,IF 9 FACT EXI/5CE PREC$ES ESS5CE1 ONE CANNOT EXPLA9 ?+S 9 T]MS ( A GIV5 & FIX$ HUMAN NATURE2 9 O!R WORDS1 !RE IS NO DET]M9ISM1 MAN IS FREE1 MAN IS FRE$OM4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 IF ,GOD DOES NOT EXI/1 WE DO NOT F9D READY AT H& VALUES OR =MULAS :I* WILL JU/IFY \R CONDUCT4 ,?US1 NEI!R 9 FRONT ( US NOR BEH9D US CAN WE F9D1 9 ! REALM ( VALUES1 JU/IFICATION OR EXCUSE4 ,WE >E ALONE1 )\T EXCUSE4' .<#g.> ,:I* IS :AT ,S>TRE MEANS :5 HE SAYS ?AT MAN IS CONDEMN$ TO BE FREE4 ,9 MY METAPHOR1 HE IS CONDEMN$ TO BE ADRIFT1 & HE HAS TO 9V5T ! 9/RUM5TS BY MEANS ( :I* HE CAN /E] A C\RSE2 HAV+ 9V5T$ !SE 9/RUM5TS1 HE HAS TO SET \T ON A VOYAGE ( DISCOV]Y4 ,HE HAS NO IDEA ( :]E HE WILL GET TO1 :]E HE WILL L& HIMSELF4 ,HIS LIFE1 HIS EXI/5CE1 IS ! VOYAGE HIS REALITY IS ! FACT ?AT HE IS MOV+ 9 A DIRECTION :I* HE HIMSELF HAS FREELY DET]M9$4 

,= ! MOM5T ,I WANT TO LEAVE ON ONE SIDE ! PROBLEM ( AGREEM5T2 = AFT] ALL1 WE CAN'T MOVE AB\T AN OCEAN 9 SEP>ATE BOATS2 WE >E PASS5G]S ON %IPS :I* CONTA9 MANY O!R PEOPLE1 & WE HAVE TO RECONCILE \R FRE$OM ( MOVEM5T ) !IRS4 ,WE %ALL BE 9 A BETT] POSITION TO CONSID] ?IS PROBLEM :5 WE HAVE CONFRONT$ EXI/5TIALISM & M>XISM4 

,9 VIEW ( ! ASSOCIATION ( ! ,FR5* EXI/5TIALI/ WRIT]S ) ! RESI/ANCE MOVEM5T DUR+ ! OCCUPATION1 IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO FOLL[ ! USUAL PRACTICE & LABEL EXI/5TIALISM AS A PHILOSOPHY ( FASCISM1 SO IT SEEMS TO HAVE BE5 AGRE$ TO DAMN IT AS ,TROTSKYISM4 ,ANYONE LESS ( AN EXI/5TIALI/ ?AN ,TROTSKY IT W\LD BE DIFFICULT TO CONCEIVE1 SO IT IS EQUALLY DIFFICULT TO SEE H[ AN EXI/5TIALI/ CAN BE A ,TROTSKYITE3 IT IS M]ELY1 ( C\RSE1 A CONV5I5T T]M ( ABUSE4 ,BUT ! EXAM9ATION ( EXI/5TIALISM MADE BY ,GEORGE ,LUKACS1 :OM ,I REG>D AS ! MO/ 9TELLIG5T M>XI/ CRITIC ( \R TIME1 IS MORE S]I\S ?AN SU* TACTICS W\LD SUGGE/4 .<#h.> ,IT IS1 ( C\RSE1 COMP>ATIVELY SIMPLE TO E/ABLI% A CONNECTION BETWE5 FASCI/ IMP]IALISM & ! PHILOSOPHY ( ,HEIDEGG] -- ! CONNECTION WAS HI/ORICAL & ACTUAL DUR+ ! ,NAZI REGIME4 ,BUT SU* AN ASSOCIATION MI<T HAVE BE5 =TUIT\S IT IS DIFFICULT = A PHILOSOPH] TO RESI/ ! FLATT]Y :I* A TOTALIT>IAN ,/ATE SEEMS WILL+ TO BE/[ ON HIM4 ,= PHILOSOPHICAL PURPOSES WE MU/ SEEK = SOME MORE FUNDAM5TAL CONNECTION1 & ?IS UND\BT$LY LIES 9 ! NIHILISM :I* IS ! PHILOSOPHICAL DISEASE ( \R TIME4 ,N[ NIHILISM IS M]ELY ?AT CONDITION ( DESPAIR :I* ,I HAVE ALREADY DESCRIB$1 A DESPAIR ?AT OV]COMES MAN :5EV] HE LOOKS 9TO ! ABYSS ( NO?+NESS & REALIZES HIS [N 9SIGNIFICANCE4 ,IT IS A CONDITION FROM :I* Y\ CAN REACT 9 V>I\S WAYS3 Y\ CAN1 ( C\RSE1 AFFIRM ITS FUNDAM5TAL REALITY2 Y\ CAN REMA9 A NIHILI/ & REFUSE TO BELIEVE 9 ANY?+ BUT Y\R [N SELFI% 9T]E/S4 ,Y\ CAN REACT AS ,DO/OEVSKY DID1 & BECOME A PESSIMI/IC ,*RI/IAN1 OR Y\ CAN REACT AS ! ,NAZIS DID & BECOME A REALI/IC P[] POLITICIAN4 ,HEIDEGG] 7& ,S>TRE :5 IT COMES TO HIS TURN7 REACTS F> MORE METAPHYSICALLY HE CON/RUCTS AN ELABORATE FIRE ESCAPE1 A LIFE SAV+ APP>ATUS BY MEANS ( :I* MAN CAN ESCAPE FROM NIHILISM1 ?\< NOT D5Y+ ?AT IT /ILL REMA9S ! FUNDAM5TAL NATURE ( REALITY4 ,N[ ?AT IS PRECISELY :AT ! M>XI/ CANNOT ACCEPT4 

,TO BEG9 )1 :AT IS ?IS PESSIMI/IC NIHILISM BUT A REFLECTION ( ! BANKRUPTCY ( ! CAPITALI/ SY/EM8 ,IT HAS NO REALITY ! ,NO?+NESS :I* ,HEIDEGG] & ,S>TRE WRITE AB\T IS A SUBJECTIVE /ATE ( M9D4 ,LUKACS CALLS IT A TYPICAL FETI% ( B\RGEOIS PSY*OLOGY1 A MY? CREAT$ BY A SOCIETY CONDEMN$ TO DEA?4,ITS EXI/5CE IS ONLY MADE POSSIBLE BY AN AB&ONM5T ( REASON1 & ?IS IS A *>ACT]I/IC TR5D ( MOD]N PHILOSOPHY1 A TR5D ?AT 9CLUDES1 NOT ONLY ,HEIDEGG] & ,HUSS]L1 BUT ALSO ,DIL!Y & ,B]GSON4 

,! M>XI/ IS REALLY MORE EXI/5TIALI/ ?AN ! EXI/5TIALI/S4 ,9 !ORY 7BUT NOT ALWAYS 9 PRACTICE7 HE DOES NOT ADMIT ! EXI/5CE ( ESS5CES4 ,!RE IS ONLY ONE REALITY1 & IT IS HI/ORICAL1 TEMPORAL4 ,MAN IS AN ANIMAL :O EVOLV$ 9 HI/ORIC TIME4 ,AT A C]TA9 /AGE 9 HIS EVOLUTION HE DEVELOP$ ! FACULTY ( CONSCI\SNESS1 BUT !RE IS NO?+ MY/]I\S AB\T IT1 & ITS NATURE & SCOPE WILL NO D\BT *ANGE AGA9 9 ! FUTURE4 ',MAN1' SAYS ,LUKACS1 'HAS CREAT$ HIMSELF BY HIS WORK4 ,:5 MAN F9ALLY W9DS UP HIS PRE-HI/ORY & E/ABLI%ES SOCIALISM 9 A COMPLETE & DEF9ITE =M1 !N WE %ALL SEE A FUNDAM5TAL TRANS=MATION ( ! NATURE ( MAN444 ,CREAT+ HIMSELF HI/ORICALLY1 TRANS=M+ HIMSELF HI/ORICALLY1 MAN IS NATURALLY 7EGALEM5T7 ATTA*$ TO ! WORLD BY C]TA9 CON/ANT FACTORS 7WORK & C]TA9 FIX$ RELATION%IPS :I* >ISE \T ( IT74 ,BUT ?AT DOES NOT 9 ANY WAY EFFECT A COMPROMISE BETWE5 SU* AN OBJECTIVE DIALECTIC ( HI/ORY & ! TIMELESS ONTOLOGY ( SUBJECTIVITY4 ,NO COMPROMISE IS POSSIBLE BETWE5 !SE TWO CONCEPTIONS3 IT IS NECESS>Y TO MAKE A *OICE4 ,NOR IS ANY COMPROMISE POSSIBLE BETWE5 ! EXI/5TIALI/ CONCEPTION ( FRE$OM & ! HI/ORICAL & DIALECTICAL UNITY ( FRE$OM & NECESSITY E/ABLI%$ BY M>XISM4 .<#i.> ,LUKACS SEEMS ABOVE ALL CONC]N$ TO DISALL[ ! POSSIBILITY ( A ?IRD WAY 9 PHILOSOPHY & POLITICS4 ,!RE IS IDEALISM & !RE IS DIALECTICAL MAT]IALISM2 IF Y\ >E NOT A DIALECTICAL MAT]IALI/1 Y\ MU/ BE AN IDEALI/ ( SOME SORT2 IF Y\ >E A DIALECTICAL MAT]IALI/1 Y\ MU/ BE A M>XI/4 ,I ?9K ?IS IS PLAY+ ) WORDS4 ,!RE IS A FUNDAM5TAL OPPOSITION BETWE5 A PURELY ME*ANI/IC MAT]IALISM & ALL =MS ( IDEALISM1 BUT ,LUKACS1 LIKE MO/ MOD]N M>XI/S1 IS V]Y C>EFUL TO DISSOCIATE HIMSELF FROM ! ME*ANI/IC S*OOL4 ,BUT AS SOON AS MAT]IALISM BECOMES DIALECTICAL1 IT ASSOCIATES ITSELF ) CONTRADICTIONS1 & ! CONTRADICTIONS ( MATT] >E ESS5CES4 ,Y\ CANNOT BE DIALECTICAL 9 ?\<T OR ANY?+ ELSE UNLESS Y\ POSIT A REALM ( ESS5CE OV] AGA9/ ! REALM ( MATT]4 ,BUT AS SOON AS Y\ ADMIT A REALM ( ESS5CES1 Y\ GIVE SUB/ANTIAL EXI/5CE TO A /ATE ( SUBJECTIVITY1 = IT IS ONLY 9 A /ATE ( SUBJECTIVITY ?AT WE BECOME AW>E ( ESS5CES4 ,IF MAN HAD CREAT$ HIMSELF M]ELY BY HIS WORK1 HE W\LD HAVE REMA9$ )9 A S5SATIONAL & 9/9CTUAL WORLD1 LIKE ! ANT4 ,! DEVELOPM5T ( CONSCI\SNESS1 :I* ,I AGREE ) M>XI/S 9 TREAT+ AS AN EXI/5TIAL1 HI/ORIC EV5T1 MEANS ?AT SUBJECTIVE FACTORS1 ESS5CES1 5T]$ 9TO ! DIALECTICAL PROCESS2 & ONLY ?AT FACT CAN EXPLA9 ! EVOLUTION ( MAN TO HIS PRES5T MORAL & 9TELLECTUAL /ATURE4 ,&1 ( C\RSE1 IT IS QUITE RIDICUL\S TO CONF9E ! EVOLUTION>Y FACTORS TO WORK4 ,! /RUGGLE = EXI/5CE1 ESPECIALLY 9 UNFAVORABLE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS1 HAS ALWAYS BE5 A GRIM BUS9ESS4 ,BUT ! HI<] FACULTIES ( MAN1 SU* AS E?ICAL CONSCI\SNESS1 PROBABLY DEVELOP$ 9 TEMP]ATE ZONES 9 ,EGYPT & ! ,M$IT]RANEAN BAS9 & IT WAS PLAY RA!R ?AN WORK :I* 5ABL$ MAN TO EVOLVE HIS HI<] FACULTIES EV]Y?+ WE MEAN BY ! WORD 'CULTURE4'7,ANYONE :O D\BTS ?IS %\LD READ ,HUIZ+A'S ,HOMO ,LUD5S4 .<#a.> ,!RE IS NO ASPECT ( CULTURE -- LANGUAGE1 W>1 SCI5CE1 >T1 OR PHILOSOPHY1 NOT EV5 RELIGION -- 9 :OSE EVOLUTION PLAY DOES NOT 5T] AS ! CREATIVE FACTOR4 ,PLAY IS FRE$OM1 IS DIS9T]E/$NESS1 & IT IS ONLY BY VIRTUE ( DIS9T]E/$ FREE ACTIVITY ?AT MAN HAS CREAT$ HIS CULTURAL VALUES4 ,P]HAPS IT IS ?IS !ORY ( ALL WORK & NO PLAY ?AT HAS MADE ! M>XI/ SU* A V]Y DULL BOY4 

,AN ANIMAL AT PLAY - ANIMALS DO PLAY & MAN IS ONLY AN ANIMAL ?AT HAS LE>N$ TO PLAY MORE ELABORATELY - AN ANIMAL AT PLAY IS NOT V]Y CONSCI\S ( ,ANG/1 ( ! EXI/5TIALI/S ABYSS ( NO?+NESS4 ,! EXI/5TIALI/ & ! M>XI/ MAY RETORT ?AT ONLY A DESPICABLE *>ACT] LIKE ,N]O FIDDLES :ILE ,ROME IS BURN+1 BUT CONSID]+ ! CORRUPTION ( ,ROME AT ?AT TIME1 !RE WAS P]HAPS SOME?+ TO BE SAID = ,N]OS PLAYFUL DIS9T]E/$NESS4,N]O1 H[EV]1 IS REALLY BESIDE ! PO9T1 :I* IS ! RELEVANCE ( ,ANG/4 ,TO ! M>XI/ ! :OLE BUS9ESS - ,ANG/1 %IPWRECK1 NO?+NESS - IS M]ELY ANO!R MY?1 LIKE ! MY? ( ! ,5D ( ! ,WORLD1 OR ! ,LA/ ,JUDGM5T4 ,BUT ! PO9T ( VIEW ,I N[ WANT TO BR+ =W>D1 & RECOMM5D AS ! TRUE ONE1 ADMITS ! FACTS UPON :I* ! EXI/5TIALI/ BASES HIS ,ANG/1 BUT DRAWS A DIFF]5T CONCLUSION FROM !M4 ,!RE IS NO G5]ALLY ACCEPT$ NAME = ?IS O!R FELL[ /&+ BY ! SIDE ( ! EXI/5TIALI/ ON ! $GE ( ! ABYSS1 BUT HE HAS SOME RESEMBLANCE TO ,>I/OTLE4 ,HE SURVEYS ! SC5E1 ! LITTLE SPECK ( PROTOPLASM :I* IS MAN1 ! UNIV]SE1 F9ITE OR 9F9ITE1 ON :I* HE F9DS HIMSELF1 &1 IF HE ?9KS ( ! UNIV]SE AS F9ITE1 ! DREAD$ GULF ( NO?+NESS BEYOND4 ,HIS FEEL+S >E FEEL+S ( PR(\ND 9T]E/1 EXCITEM5T1 WOND]4 ,HE SEES ,FIRE & ,AIR1 ,E>? & ,WAT]1 ELEM5T>Y QUALITIES GIV+ BIR? TO ALL SORTS ( CONTR>IETIES3 HOT-COLD1 DRY-MOI/1 HEAVY-LI<T1 H>D-S(T1 VISC\S-BRITTLE1 R\<-SMOO?1 CO>SE-F9E - SEES !SE COMB9+ & 9T]-ACT+ & PRODUC+ WORLDS & LIFE UPON !SE WORLDS1 & HE IS LO/ 9 WOND]4 ,HIS GREATE/ WOND] IS RES]V$ = ! FACT ?AT HE1 MAN1 /&S ON ! APEX ( ?IS COMPLEX /RUCTURE1 ITS CR[N ( P]FECTION1 ALONE CONSCI\S ( ! COH]5CE ( ! ,:OLE4 

,I RECOMM5D1 AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ! EXI/5TIALI/S1 A READ+ NOT ONLY ( ,>I/OTLE1 BUT ALSO ( ,LUCRETIUS - P>TICUL>LY ?OSE PASSAGES :]E HE BREAKS (F FROM HIS DESCRIPTION ( ! NATURE ( ?+S TO PRAISE ,EPICURUS1 ! FA!R ( HIS PHILOSOPHY1 ! DISCOV]] ( TRU?1 :O HAD P>T$ ! WALLS ( ! WORLD ASUND]1 SO ?AT WE MI<T SEE ALL ?+S MOV+ ON ?R\< ! VOID3 ',! QU>T]S ( ,A*]ON >E NO:]E TO BE SE51 NOR YET IS E>? A B>RI] TO PREV5T ALL ?+S BE+ DESCRI$1 :I* >E C>RI$ ON UND]NEA? ?R\< ! VOID BEL[ \R FEET4 ,AT !SE ?+S1 AS IT W]E1 SOME GODLIKE PLEASURE & ?RILL ( AWE SEIZES ON ME1 TO ?9K ?AT ?US BY ?Y P[] NATURE IS MADE SO CLE> & MANIFE/1 LAID B>E ON EV]Y SIDE4' ,:AT ,LUCRETIUS CALL$ '! FE> ( ,A*]ON 4 4 4 CL\D+ ALL ?+S ) ! BLACKNESS ( DEA?1 & SUFF]+ NO PLEASURE TO BE PURE & UNALLOY$' IS \R FAMILI> BOGEY ,ANG/1 & ,LUCRETIUS'S GREAT POEM WAS WRITT5 TO DISPEL ,ANG/4 ',= (T5 ]E N[1' HE SAYS1 'M5 HAVE BETRAY$ C\NTRY & BELOV$ P>5TS1 SEEK+ TO %UN ! REALMS ( ,A*]ON4 ,= EV5 AS *ILDR5 TREMBLE & FE> EV]Y?+ 9 BL9D+ D>KNESS1 SO WE SOMETIMES DREAD 9 ! LI<T ?+S ?AT >E NO :IT MORE TO BE FE>$ ?AN :AT *ILDR5 %UDD] AT 9 ! D>K1 & IMAG9E WILL COME TO PASS4 ,?IS T]ROR ( ! M9D !N1 ?IS D>KNESS1 MU/ NE$S BE SCATT]$ NOT BY ! RAYS ( ! SUN & ! GLEAM+ %AFTS ( DAY1 BUT BY ! \T] VIEW & ! 9N] LAW ( NATURE4' 

,>I/OTLE & ,LUCRETIUS >E NOT EXCEPTIONS2 !RE IS ?R\<\T ! HI/ORY ( PHILOSOPHY A TRADITION ?AT1 :ILE TAK+ ITS ORIG9 9 ! SAME FULL LOOK 9TO ! NATURE ( ?+S AS ! EXI/5TIALI/S AFFECT1 IS BAS$ ON ! COMPLETELY CONTR>Y REACTION - A REACTION ( CURIOSITY RA!R ?AN ( %IPWRECK4 ,IT CANNOT BE SAID ?AT ?IS POSITIVE REACTION 7OR RESONANCE AS ,WOLT]ECK HAS CALL$ IT .<#a#a.>7 IS ANY MORE UNJU/IFI$1 ANY LESS PR(\ND ?AN ! NEGATIVE REACTION ( ! EXI/5TIALI/4 ,IT IS A QUE/ION ( :AT ,SANTAYANA HAS CALL$ 'ANIMAL FAI?1' 'AN A!ORETICAL =CE :I*1 TORN FROM ! DATA ( EXP]I5CE1 CON/RUCTS & GU>ANTEES & EXT5DS ! WORLD ( MAN' -- OR AS ,SANATAYANA PUTS IT1 '! LIFE ( REASON4' .<#a#b.> 

,ANIMAL FAI?1 FAI? 9 NATURE - ,I DO NOT ?9K ! M>XI/ LIKES ! WORD FAI? - HE IS AFRAID ( BE+ COMMITT$ TO A GOD4 ,I AGREE ?AT IT W\LD BE BETT] TO AVOID ! WORD ,GOD4 ,AS ,SANTAYANA AGA9 HAS SAID3 ',IF BY CALL+ NATURE ,GOD OR ! WORK ( ,GOD1 OR ! LANGUAGE 9 :I* ,GOD SPEAKS TO US1 NO?+ IS MEANT EXCEPT ?AT NATURE IS WOND]FUL1 UNFA?OM$1 ALIVE1 ! C\RSE ( \R BE+1 ! SANCTION ( MORALITY1 & ! DISP5S] ( HAPP9ESS & MIS]Y !RE CAN BE NO OBJECTION TO SU* ALT]NATIVE T]MS 9 ! M\? ( POETS2 BUT ,I ?9K A PHILOSOPH] %\LD AVOID ! AMBIGUITIES :I* A TOO POETICAL T]M (T5 COMPORTS4 ,! WORD NATURE IS POETICAL 5\<3 IT SUGGE/S SUFFICI5TLY ! G5]ATIVE & CONTROLL+ FUNCTION1 ! 5DLESS VITALITY & ! *ANGEFUL ORD] ( ! WORLD 9 :I* ,I LIVE4' .<#a#c.> 

,! PHILOSOPHY :I* ,I AM TRY+ TO PRES5T - A PHILOSOPHY BAS$ ON A POSITIVE REACTION TO COSMIC EXP]I5CE - MI<T WELL BE CALL$ HUMANISM - IT IS AN AFFIRMATION ( ! SIGNIFICANCE ( \R HUMAN DE/9Y4 ,HUMANISM IS A T]M :I* ,S>TRE HAS ADOPT$ & :I* EV5 AN 9TRANSIG5T M>XI/ LIKE ,LUKACS DOES NOT DISDA9 - HE CALLS ! ,L59I/ !ORY ( KN[L$GE A MILITANT HUMANISM 7UN HUMANISME COMBATIF71 BUT HE QUALIFIES ?IS ACCEPTANCE ( ! T]M BY PO9T+ \T ?AT ! NOTION IS 9SEP>ABLE FROM PRACTICAL ACTION & WORK4,?IS BR+S ME TO ! AN>*I/ POSITION1 :I* ONLY N[1 AT ! 5D ( ?IS LONG DISQUISITION1 CAN BE REVEAL$ 9 ALL ITS LOGICAL CL>ITY4 ,LIKE ! M>XI/ - OR %\LD WE SAY ! L59I/ - ! AN>*I/ REJECTS ! PHILOSOPHICAL NIHILISM ( ! EXI/5TIALI/4 ,HE JU/ DOESN'T FEEL ?AT ,ANG/1 ?AT DREADFUL %IPWRECK ON ! CONF9ES ( ! UNIV]SE1 FROM :I* ! EXI/5TIALI/ REACTS ) DESPAIRFUL 5]GY4 ,HE AGREES ) ! M>XI/ ?AT IT IS M]ELY A MOD]N MY?4 ,HE DRAWS 9 HIS METAPHYSICAL HORNS & EXPLORES ! WORLD ( NATURE4 ,HE AGA9 F9DS HIMSELF AGREE+ ) ! L59I/ ?AT LIFE IS A DIALECTICAL PROCESS ! 5D ( :I* IS ! CONQUE/ ( :AT ,LUKACS CALLS LA TOTALITE HUMA9E1 :I* PRESUMABLY MEANS A WORLD DOM9AT$ BY HUMAN VALUES4 ,BUT :]EAS ! L59I/ CONCEIVES ( ?IS CONQUE/ 9 T]MS ( A CONSCI\SLY DIRECT$ /RUGGLE - PRACTICAL ACTION & WORK - ! AN>*I/ SEES IT 9 T]MS ( MUTUAL AID1 ( SYMBIOSIS4 

,M>XISM IS BAS$ ON ECONOMICS2 AN>*ISM ON BIOLOGY4 ,M>XISM /ILL CL+S TO AN ANTIQUAT$ D>W9ISM1 & SEES HI/ORY & POLITICS AS ILLU/RATIONS OT' A /RUGGLE = EXI/5CE BETWE5 SOCIAL CLASSES4 ,AN>*ISM DOES NOT D5Y ! IMPORTANCE ( SU* ECONOMIC =CES1 BUT IT 9SI/S ?AT !RE IS SOME?+ /ILL MORE IMPORTANT1 ! CONSCI\SNESS ( AN OV]RID+ HUMAN SOLID>ITY4 ',IT IS1' SAYS ,KROPOTK91 '! UNCONSCI\S RECOGNITION ( ! =CE ?AT IS BORR[$ BY EA* MAN FROM ! PRACTICE ( MUTUAL AID2 ( ! CLOSE DEP5D5CY ( EV]YONE'S HAPP9ESS UPON ! HAPP9ESS ( ALL2 & ( ! S5SE ( JU/ICE1 OR EQUITY1 :I* BR+S ! 9DIVIDUAL TO CONSID] ! RI<TS ( EV]Y O!R 9DIVIDUAL AS EQUAL TO HIS [N4 ,UPON ?IS BROAD & NECESS>Y F\NDATION ! /ILL HI<] MORAL FEEL+S >E DEVELOP$4' .<#a#d.> 

,!RE IS NO NE$ TO REPEAT H]E ! EVID5CE FROM BIOLOGY1 AN?ROPOLOGY1 & SOCIAL HI/ORY :I* ,KROPOTK9 BR\<T TO ! SUPPORT ( HIS !SIS4 ,EV5 ! EXI/5TIALI/ ,S>TRE RECOGNIZES ?AT ! LIB]TY HE DESIRES = HIMSELF IMPLIES ?AT HE MU/ DESIRE LIB]TY = O!RS4 ,EV5 ! M>XI/ TALKS ( HUMAN SOLID>ITY1 TO :I* CAPITALISM IS ! ONLY OB/ACLE4 ,BUT BIOLOGY IS NOT 5\<3 WE >E SELF-CONSCI\S ANIMALS1 ANIMALS CONSCI\S ( 'BE+1' & WE NE$ A SCI5CE ( SU* CONSCI\SNESS3 IT IS CALL$ ONTOLOGY4 

,!RE IS1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 A SCI5CE ( EXI/5CE :I* WE CALL BIOLOGY2 !RE IS A SCI5CE ( ESS5CE :I* WE CALL ONTOLOGY4 ,! PURPOSE ( !SE TWO SCI5CES IS TO DET]M9E ! NATURE ( ! PROCESS ( LIFE & ! PLACE ( \R HUMAN EXI/5CE 9 ?AT TOTAL PROCESS4 ,!RE >E PEOPLE :O SAY ?AT ?IS CANNOT BE DONE ) ! 9/RUM5TS ( REASON2 ?AT !RE IS A ,GR\ND ( ,BE+ ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO SUP] RATIONAL 9TUITION1 & NOT UND]/&ABLE 9 ! T]MS ( RATIONAL ?\<T4 ,SOME PEOPLE REG>D ?AT ,GR\ND ( ,BE+ AS TRANSC5D5T1 AS MORE OR LESS ACTIVELY 9T]V5+ 9 ! DEVELOPM5T ( EXI/5CE1 P>TICUL>LY 9 ! UNFOLD+ ( \R HUMAN DE/9Y2 O!RS TREAT IT AS M]ELY AN UNKN[N QUANTITY2 /ILL O!RS1 ! MAT]IALI/S AMONG US1 D5Y ITS EXI/5CE ALTOGE!R4 ,! PO9T ( VIEW ,I HAVE ADOPT$ MYSELF IS NOT DUALI/IC2 ,I DO NOT RECOGNIZE TWO ORD]S ( REALITY1 KN[N OR UNKN[N4 ,NOR IS MY PO9T ( VIEW MAT]IALI/IC 9 ! M>XI/ S5SE4 ,I BELIEVE1 9 ! WORDS ( ,WOLT]ECK1 ?AT 'ONE /REAM ( EV5TS EMBRACES EV]Y?+ ?AT CAN 9 ANY WAY BE EXP]I5C$ AS REAL3 :E!R ! EV5TS BE MAT]IAL OR NON-MAT]IAL1 A-BIOTIC1 ORGANIC1 PSY*IC1 CONSCI\S OR UNCONSCI\S 4 4 4 ,! PSY*IC OR SPIRITUAL LIFE ( MAN IS ALSO P>T ( ?IS ONE /REAM ( EV5TS WE CALL ,NATURE1 EV5 ?\< UND] SPECIAL NAMES & ) SPECIAL CONT5TS3 SCI5CE1 TE*NICS1 CIVILIZATION1 POLITICS1 HI/ORY & >T4 ,! ORGANISM 0,MAN0 PRODUCES !SE ?+S 9 ! LA/ ANALYSIS NO DIFF]5TLY FROM ! BIRD ITS SONG & ! BUILD+ ( ITS NEXT1 ! TREE ITS BLOSSOM & FRUIT4 ,ALSO ! DAWN+ ( CONSCI\SNESS1 CONSCI\S ACT+ & CONSCI\S ?9K+1 >E NATURAL PROCESSES JU/ LIKE ! REACTIONS1 9/9CTIVE ACTS & AFFECTS 9 ! ANIMAL K+DOM4 ,! BIOLOGI/ DOES NOT MAKE A DI/9CTION BETWE5 PHYSICAL EV5TS 7,NATURE71 & NON PHYSICAL EV5TS 7,SPIRIT73 !RE IS BUT ONE /REAM ( EV5TS ) AS IT W]E A VISIBLE 7MAT]IAL7 SURFACE & A FLUID 7IMMAT]IAL7 DEP?1 & ?IS DI/9CTION BETWE5 VISIBLE SURFACE & FLUID DEP? IS1 = ME1 ! SAME DI/9CTION ?AT ,SANTAYANA MAKES BETWE5 MAT]IAL EXI/5CE & FLUID ESS5CE4 ,SANTAYANA ALSO SAYS ?AT ESS5CE IS NOT AN EXT5SION OR A PORTION ( ?AT :I* EXI/S1 BUT ?AT IT IS 9TIMATELY 9T]WOV5 ) EXI/5CE2 MEAN+1 ,I ?9K1 ?AT !RE IS ?IS FLEXIBLE ,9SIDE & ,\TSIDE DIVISION1 BUT NO M]G+ ACROSS ?IS DIVISION4 ,!RE IS ALWAYS A DIVISION BETWE5 ! GAS 9SIDE A BALLOON & ! ATMOSPH]E \TSIDE - !Y CANNOT MIX1 BUT !Y >E 9TIMATELY RELAT$ AS PRESSURES1 AS SPECIFIC GRAVITIES1 & REACT 9 CORRESPOND5CE ONE ) ! O!R4 ,ESS5CE & EXI/5CE >E 9 ?IS MANN] 9T]WOV5 ?R\<\T ! :OLE EVOLUTION ( LIFE4 ,:AT IS IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE 9 ALL ?IS IS ! PRES5CE1 ?R\<\T ! ONE LIFE PROCESS1 ( FRE$OM4 ,! PRES5CE ( ?IS ELEM5T IS 9DICAT$ BY ! PROCESS ( EVOLUTION ITSELF1 :I* IS AN UPW>D PROCESS1 LEAD+ FROM ! ELEM5T>Y PHYSICAL /ATES ( ! COSMIC NEBULAE TO A BIOTIC DIFF]5TIATION1 !N TO SIMPLE & 9CREAS+LY DIFF]5TIAT$ LIFE1 & F9ALLY TO SPIRITUAL EV5TS1 SPIRITUAL CREATIVITY & SPIRITUAL FRE$OM4' .<#a#e.> ,!RE HAS EXI/$ ?R\<\T ! :OLE PROCESS ( EVOLUTION AN ABILITY TO MOVE ON TO NEW PLANES ( EXI/5CE1 TO CREATE NOVELTY4 ,FRE$OM IS NOT AN ESS5CE ONLY AVAILABLE TO ! S5SIBILITY ( MAN2 IT IS G]M9ATIVELY AT WORK 9 ALL LIV+ ?+S AS SPONTANEITY & AUTOPLA/ICITY4 ',?IS 0BIOLOGICAL0 FRE$OM & :AT BECOMES ( IT1' 7,I AM AGA9 QUOT+ ,WOLT]ECK7 'HAS AN ONTIC SIGNIFICANCE QUITE DIFF]5T FROM ! 0EXI/5TIAL0 COMPULSION ( FREE DECISION4 ,! LATT] CRIPPLES \R S5SE ( VITALITY & CONSEQU5TLY ! ADVANC+ LIFE ( MAN4 ,! FRE$OM ( SPONTANE\S EV5TS BORN ( ! ONTIC C5T] & ! FRE$OM TO MOLD ?+S 9 SU* & SU* A WAY 5HANCES \R S5SE ( VITALITY & MAKES LIFE MORE 9T5SE4 ,! JOY ( CREAT+ ?+S ( VALUE1 SELF CONQUE/ 7FREE+ ! SELF FROM SELFI%NESS & ITS 9/9CTS71 RIS+ ABOVE ! WORLD1 & F9ALLY ! SPONTANE\S CREATION ( NEW =MS1 NEW NORMS1 NEW IDEAS 9 ! M9DS ( 9DIVIDUALS - ALL ?AT IS ! POSSIBLE RESULT ( MAN'S POSITIVE FRE$OM4' 

,FRE$OM1 SAYS ! M>XI/1 IS ! KN[L$GE ( NECESSITY4 ,FRE$OM1 SAYS ,5GELS1 'CONSI/S 9 ! CONTROL OV] \RSELVES & OV] EXT]NAL NATURE :I* IS F\ND$ ON KN[L$GE ( NATURAL NECESSITY IT IS !RE=E NECESS>ILY A PRODUCT ( HI/ORICAL DEVELOPM5T4 ,! ONLY ?+ WRONG ) ?IS DEF9ITION IS ?AT IT IS TOO N>R[4 ,! *ICK ?AT IS PECK+ ITS WAY \T ( ITS %ELL HAS NO KN[L$GE ( NATURAL NECESSITY ONLY A SPONTANE\S 9/9CT TO BEHAVE 9 A WAY ?AT WILL SECURE IT FRE$OM4 ,IT IS AN IMPORTANT DI/9CTION BECAUSE IT IS ! DI/9CTION UND]LY+ ! M>XI/ & ! AN>*I/ PHILOSOPHIES4 ,FROM ! AN>*I/ PO9T ( VIEW IT IS NOT SUFFICI5T TO CONTROL \RSELVES & EXT]NAL NATURE2 WE MU/ ALL[ = SPONTANE\S DEVELOPM5TS4 ,SU* OPPORTUNITIES OCCUR ONLY 9 AN OP5 SOCIETY2 !Y CANNOT DEVELOP 9 A CLOS$ SOCIETY SU* AS ! M>XI/S HAVE E/ABLI%$ 9 ,RUSSIA4 ,!RE IS ALSO TO BE OBS]V$ 9 ,5GELS & ,M>X AN ESS5TIAL CONFUSION BETWE5 FRE$OM & LIB]TY3 :AT !Y MEAN BY FRE$OM IS POLITICAL LIB]TY1 MAN'S RELATIONS TO HIS ECONOMIC 5VIRONM5T2 FRE$OM IS ! RELATION ( MAN TO ! TOTAL LIFE PROCESS4 

,I AM AFRAID ?AT !SE OBS]VATIONS WILL SEEM SOME:AT IRRELEVANT TO ! PRACTICAL PROBLEMS ( LIFE1 BUT ?AT IS A DANG]\S ASSUMPTION4 ,M>XISM AS MILITANT POLITICS ?R\<\T ! WORLD TODAY HAD ITS ORIG9S 9 SU* PHILOSOPHICAL DI/9CTIONS1 & /ILL TODAY RE/S UN%AK5 ON SU* A PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS4 ,WE CANNOT MEET M>XISM & EXPECT TO OV]COME IT UNLESS WE HAVE A PHILOSOPHY ( EQUAL =CE4 ,I DO NOT BELIEVE ?AT ANY ( ! PREVAIL+ IDEALI/IC SY/EMS ( PHILOSOPHY WILL S]VE \R PURPOSE ! M>XI/S HAVE PROV$ ?AT !Y HAVE WEAPONS P[]FUL 5\< TO DEMOLI% ?AT K9D ( /RUCTURE4 ,!Y HAVE N[ %[N ?AT 9 !IR OP9ION EXI/5TIALISM DOES NOT CON/ITUTE A DANG] TO !IR PHILOSOPHICAL POSITION4 ,I BELIEVE ?AT ANO!R PHILOSOPHICAL ATTITUDE IS POSSIBLE1 & ?AT IT PRES]VES ! CONCEPT ( FRE$OM )\T :I* LIFE BECOMES BRUTI%4 ,IT IS A MAT]IALI/IC PHILOSOPHY1 BUT IT IS ALSO AN IDEALI/ PHILOSOPHY2 A PHILOSOPHY ?AT COMB9ES EXI/5CE & ESS5CE 9 DIALECTICAL C\NT]PLAY4 

,IF F9ALLY Y\ ASK ME :E!R !RE IS ANY NECESS>Y CONNECTION BETWE5 ?IS PHILOSOPHY & AN>*ISM1 ,I W\LD REPLY ?AT 9 MY OP9ION AN>*ISM IS ! ONLY POLITICAL !ORY ?AT COMB9ES AN ESS5TIALLY REVOLUTION>Y & CONT+5T ATTITUDE ) A PHILOSOPHY ( FRE$OM4 ,IT IS ! ONLY MILITANT LIB]T>IAN DOCTR9E LEFT 9 ! WORLD1 & ON ITS DIFFUSION DEP5DS ! PROGRESSIVE EVOLUTION ( HUMAN CONSCI\SNESS & ( HUMANITY ITSELF4 

,NOTES 

.<#a.> ,COL]IDGE AS ,CRITIC 7,FAB]1 #a#i#d#i71 PP4 #b#i-#c4 

.<#b.> ,TRANS4 ,P>TISAN ,REVIEW4 

.<#c.> ,TRANS4 ,P>TISAN ,REVIEW4 

.<#d.> ,HORIZON1 ,JULY & ,AUGU/ #a#i#d#e4 ,RATIONALI/ ,ANNUAL1 #a#i#d#h4 

.<#e.> ',APOLOGIA PRO M5TE SUA1' ,! ,PHILOSOPHY ( ,SANTAYANA4 ,$4 ,PAUL ,>?UR ,S*ILPP 7,NOR?WE/]N ,UNIV]SITY1 ,EVAN/ON1 #a#i#d71 P4 #e#b#f4 

.<#f.> ,! M>XI/S PRET5D ?AT !IR ,UTOPIA IS SCI5TIFIC1 BUT IT IS JU/ AS IDEALI/IC AS ANY O!R PROJECTION ( \R CON/RUCTIVE FACULTIES 9TO AN UNPR$ICTABLE FUTURE2 & BY !IR DAY-TO-DAY MODICATIONS ( !IR PLANS1 M>XI/S AS A MATT] ( FACT ADMIT H[ IDEALI/IC !IR ORIG9AL CONCEPTIONS MU/ HAVE BE54 

.<#g.> ,L'EXI/5TIALISME E/ UN HUMANISME 7#a#i#d#f71 PP4 #c#f-#g4 

.<#h.> ,EXI/5TIALISME \ M>XISME8 7,NAGEL1 ,P>IS1 #a#i#d#h74 

.<#i.> ,OP4 CIT41 P4 #b#c4 

.<#a.> ,R\TL$GE ,KEGAN ,PAUL1 ,LONDON1 #a#i#d#i4 

.<#a#a.> ,ONTOLOGIE DES ,LEB5DIG5 7,/UTTG>T1 #a#i#d74 ,! TRANSLATIONS ( PASSAGES FROM ?IS BOOK :I* FOLL[ HAVE BE5 K9DLY SUPPLI$ BY ,MR4 ,R4 ,F4 ,C4 ,HULL4 

.<#a#b.> ,ANTONIO ,BANFI1 ',CRISIS ( ,CONTEMPOR>Y ,PHILOSOPHY1' ,! ,PHILOSOPHY ( ,GEORGE ,SANTAYANA 7,EVAN/ON1 #a#i#d71 P4 #d#h#b4 

.<#a#c.> ,SKEPTICISM & ,ANIMAL ,FAI? 7#a#i#b#c71 PP4 #b#c#g-#h4 

.<#a#d.> ,MUTUAL ,AID1 ,9TRODUCTION4 

.<#a#e.> ,WOLT]ECK1 OP4 CIT4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aidh 3 ,EXI/5TIALISM1 ,M>XISM & ,AN>*ISM -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JULY #b1 #bai 3 ,EXI/5TIALISM1 ,M>XISM & ,AN>*ISM -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #c1 #bbb 3 ,EXI/5TIALISM1 ,M>XISM & ,AN>*ISM -- ,UPDAT$4 

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