Existentialism and the Authentic Life

“What’s the point of it all?” Most of us have asked ourselves that question at one time or another. The philosophers known as the existentialists certainly did—and for the same reasons you might: war, love, politics, racism, mortality, and more. Luckily for us, they did not just ask the questions. Sartre, Beauvoir, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Camus, Fanon, and others also came up with some answers, ideas, and suggestions we can apply to our own lives today.

In the 24 fascinating lectures of Existentialism and the Authentic Life, Professor Skye C. Cleary will lead you through the writings of many existentialists to help you understand how they addressed the biggest of all questions. Writing about love, death, sex, war, plagues, intrigue, murder, deception, and more, these thinkers guide you toward living an authentic and meaningful life in a world that often seems absurd.

In this course, you’ll learn about the main issues addressed by existentialism. These include:

• Anxiety. In many ways, anxiety, choice, and freedom go hand in hand. When you realize that you are in charge of your one and only finite life, anxiety can certainly come into play.

• Freedom. The existentialists did not believe in absolute freedom. You are not free to do anything you want, for example, if you don’t have the power or if your actions harm others. However, you do have the freedom to make your own path in this life and to choose your own actions within limits.

• Responsibility. With that freedom comes responsibility, and not just responsibility for yourself. Being authentic means that you have a responsibility to support others in pursuing their authentic paths.

In Existentialism and the Authentic Life, discover how the existentialists can guide you in answering life’s most pressing questions for yourself.