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Whitehead’s Metaphysics, Nihilism and Existentialism

Whitehead’s Metaphysics, Nihilism and Existentialism. Grendel Chapters 5 and 6. Metaphysics. Concerned with being and the world Ontology-the categories of being and how they relate to each other Cosmology-the study of the universe – its nature, origin, dynamics, structure. Whitehead.

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Whitehead’s Metaphysics, Nihilism and Existentialism

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  1. Whitehead’s Metaphysics, Nihilism and Existentialism Grendel Chapters 5 and 6

  2. Metaphysics • Concerned with being and the world • Ontology-the categories of being and how they relate to each other • Cosmology-the study of the universe – its nature, origin, dynamics, structure

  3. Whitehead • Alfred North Whitehead-(1861-1947) mathematician/philosopher • brought new attention to metaphysics • We apply meaning – the “thing” does not • “fallacy of misplaced concreteness”-the “real” things are merely abstractions • All things change by the second/all things have experience

  4. Nihilism • Life has no meaning – it’s almost a cruel joke • Nothing matters because the world and people have… • No purpose • No truth • No value

  5. Nietzsche • Friedrich Nietzsche – (1844-1900) German academic with a fantastic mustache • Most famous nihilist • “God is dead” • Negative connotations when everything is negated • Saw Christianity as nihilistic because it focuses on an after-life

  6. The Dragon • Negates The Shaper’s stories • Omniscient – all-knowing • Gives Grendel purpose, though he clearly views people’s understanding of the universe as flawed, in that they have no purpose. • Materialistic/nihilistic – echoes Nietzsche’s position that God is dead

  7. Existentialism • Existence precedes essence • An individual acts alone • Is not influenced by societal labels, stereotypes, etc. • Creates his/her own essence • Free will… to an extent

  8. Existentialism • Life has no meaning … the individual gives it meaning • Related to nihilism, but more positive (to me) • The Absurd: anything can happen to anyone • Facticity: giving meaning to facts of one’s life… letting those facts define him • Authenticity, Despair, Angst

  9. Jean-Paul Sartre • First person to call himself an “existentialist” • We are “condemned to be free” • “human nature” isn’t a thing – we are responsible • Being and Nothingness

  10. Chapter 6

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