more from this thinker
|
more from this text
Single Idea 16001
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 7. Existential Action
]
Full Idea
Philosophy is perfectly right in saying that life must be understood backwards. But then it forgets the other side - that it must be lived forwards.
Gist of Idea
Life may be understood backwards, but it has to be lived forwards
Source
Søren Kierkegaard (The Journals of Kierkegaard [1850], JP-III, 635)
Book Ref
Kierkegaard,Søren: 'Journals and Papers Vol. 1', ed/tr. Hong,Howard/Edna [Princeton ], p.450
A Reaction
Some of the best philosophers dwell too much on philosophy, history and the past, while forgetting to actually live and enjoy their lives. [SY]
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[existentialist attitude to decisions and ethics]:
|
22027
|
Life isn't given to us like a novel - we write the novel
[Novalis]
|
|
20747
|
What matters is not right choice, but energy, earnestness and pathos in the choosing
[Kierkegaard]
|
|
16001
|
Life may be understood backwards, but it has to be lived forwards
[Kierkegaard]
|
|
24079
|
The best life is the dangerous life
[Nietzsche]
|
|
4504
|
Morality used to be for preservation, but now we can only experiment, giving ourselves moral goals
[Nietzsche]
|
|
20106
|
Nietzsche was fascinated by a will that can turn against itself
[Nietzsche, by Safranski]
|
|
20316
|
Every decision I make moves towards or away from fulfilled Existenz
[Jaspers]
|
|
6571
|
When a man must choose between his mother and the Resistance, no theory can help
[Sartre, by Fogelin]
|
|
3851
|
If I do not choose, that is still a choice
[Sartre]
|
|
9242
|
Essential problems either risk death, or intensify the passion of life
[Camus]
|
|
9246
|
Danger and integrity are not in the leap of faith, but in remaining poised just before the leap
[Camus]
|
|
22342
|
Kantian existentialists care greatly for reasons for action, whereas Surrealists care nothing
[Murdoch]
|
|
22351
|
Only a philosopher might think choices create values
[Murdoch]
|
|
22502
|
Refraining from murder is not made good by authenticity or self-fulfilment
[Foot]
|
|
4245
|
Ethical conviction must be to some extent passive, and can't just depend on the will and decisions
[Williams,B]
|
|
4246
|
Taking responsibility won't cure ethical uncertainty by; we are uncertain what to decide
[Williams,B]
|
|
6689
|
The key to existentialism: the way you make choices is more important than what you choose
[Graham]
|