Alberto explains to Sophie more about the philosophy of existentialism

Alberto explains to Sophie more about the philosophy of existentialism

Within this chapter, “Our Own Time”, Alberto explains to Sophie more about the philosophy of existentialism and discusses Sartre. Sartre did not believe in God, and argued that because humans have consciousness, we are therefore different from other beings. He also argued that because there is no God, human beings, ourselves, are solely responsible for finding our own meaning in the universe and in existence. In a sense, Alberto is helping to prepare Sophie to deal with her very own existential crisis: She knows she doesn’t truly exist because she is a work of fiction through Hilde’s father. YET, despite all of that, she is conscious, she is thinking. Therefore, she uses existentialism to begin to craft her own meanings.

Watch this video of Sophie and Alberto discussing Nietzsche and meeting Kierkegaard:

Nietzsche and Kierkegaard (Links to an external site.)

For this final journal reflection assignment, reflect on what it means to exist. Do you find it strange? Have you gone through your whole life just taking for granted that we exist? That the world exists? That the universe exists? Whether you believe in God or not, have you asked why? If you don’t believe in God, have you asked what the purpose of all of this is? If you do believe in God, have you asked why God created all of this? And finally do you agree that it is up to us to create our own meaning?