I'm new here and from Australia, where philosophy is a non-subject. — Rob J Kennedy
Is human biology considered to be one part of human essence? — Rob J Kennedy
I've been long interested in the "existence precedes essence" debate — Rob J Kennedy
So, if we consider biology as a part of our essence (I'm not stating that it is), doesn't essence precede existence as our biology is determined before birth? — Rob J Kennedy
Maybe Heidegger is more helpful frame as he posits the idea of thrownness. We are "thrown" into existence, born into a specific time, place, and cultural context, without any control over these matters. — Tom Storm
Welcome Rob. I first want to distinguish you from the politician currently running for American president : Robert Kennedy Jr. One of your accidental qualities is Australian. But that accident of birth may not be essential to your being as a person in the wider world. Therefore, we need to first define the context for our definition.I find defining essence the key to the debate. — Rob J Kennedy
But others argue that thrownness has more to do with how the future comes toward us than how the past constrains us. In other words, thrownness is our creative muse, whispering in our ear, opening up new worlds of possibility. Even what we consider to be autonomously willed choice is something we are thrown into. — Joshs
The definition, as with most words used in a philosophical manner is always the stumbling point. When I say essence, I mean it from a poetic sence. — Rob J Kennedy
Essentialism is the view that objects have a set of attributes that are necessary to their identity.[1] In early Western thought, Plato's idealism held that all things have such an "essence"—an "idea" or "form". In Categories, Aristotle similarly proposed that all objects have a substance that, as George Lakoff put it, "make the thing what it is, and without which it would be not that kind of thing".[2] The contrary view—non-essentialism—denies the need to posit such an "essence".
Sort of. For Heidegger it’s not so much a matter of adapting to already formed external realities. Rather, it about creating possibilities.I always understood thrownness as a limitation or boundary that might impact upon our anticipatory sense making. Are you suggesting the more salient dimension to this is how we are thrown into adaptation? — Tom Storm
““The essence of something is not at all to be discovered simply like a fact; on the contrary, it must be brought forth. To bring forth is a kind of making, and so there resides in all grasping and positing of the essence something creative…. To bring forth means to bring out into the light, to bring something in sight which was up to then not seen at all, and specifically such that the seeing of it is not simply a gaping at something already lying there but a seeing which, in seeing, first brings forth what is to be seen, i.e., a productive seeing.”
I never understood what Sartre meant by that cryptic phrase. But, since you asked, I started looking into it. Apparently, he was not talking about biological or genetic determinism, but simply about metaphysical FreeWill and Self-determination. His humanist Existentialism was contrasted to religious Determinism or Destiny (remote control), and restrictive Morality. So, I assume he equated "existence" with unique Personhood, and "essence" with the concept of a fatalistic Calvinist Predestined Soul. This is completely different from Aristotle's meaning of Essence or Psyche or Soul.I've been long interested in the "existence precedes essence" debate. I find defining essence the key to the debate. — Rob J Kennedy
Define essence. In particular, are you talking about the essence of "humanness", or what constitutes an individual's essence (that which makes that individual who he is).if we consider biology as a part of our essence (I'm not stating that it is), doesn't essence precede existence as our biology is determined before birth? — Rob J Kennedy
Consider Rob J Kennedy at 10AM yesterday. Rob had a set of unique set of properties unique from all others. This includes Rob's genetic makeup which mutates over a lifetime, as well as his mental makeup - shaped by his lifetime up to then. Today, at 10 AM, Rob J Kennedy was a day older, with another 24 hours of experiences. Are there essential properties that Rob has on both days? What about on all the days of Rob's lifetime?Words send us in circles. But for me, my definition of essence includes our biological makeup, which drives primary functions and attitudes, and, we obtain a large part of our essence from the way we have been treated by others. Some have a loving and caring essence, some don’t because of our upbringing. — Rob J Kennedy
I have a friend who works for one of the biggest tech companies in the world. And, they want to know what his essence is. He tells me they have regular meeting about how him and his staff feel about themselves and the company. Are they asking if the essence of the company is alligning to the essence of the employee? He thinks they are. This companies mission statment is, the essence of the company. And employees are expected to not just agree with it, but to own the same essence to correctly align themselves to their priorities. — Rob J Kennedy
I have a friend who works for one of the biggest tech companies in the world. And, they want to know what his essence is. He tells me they have regular meeting about how him and his staff feel about themselves and the company. Are they asking if the essence of the company is alligning to the essence of the employee? He thinks they are. This companies mission statment is, the essence of the company. And employees are expected to not just agree with it, but to own the same essence to correctly align themselves to their priorities. — Rob J Kennedy
I have a friend who works for one of the biggest tech companies in the world. And, they want to know what his essence is. He tells me they have regular meeting about how him and his staff feel about themselves and the company. Are they asking if the essence of the company is alligning to the essence of the employee? He thinks they are. This companies mission statment is, the essence of the company. And employees are expected to not just agree with it, but to own the same essence to correctly align themselves to their priorities. — Rob J Kennedy
. And, they want to know what his essence is — Rob J Kennedy
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