more on this theme     |     more from this thinker

Single Idea 22342

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 7. Existential Action ]

Full Idea

What may be called the Kantian wing and the Surrealist wing of existentialism may be distinguished by the degree of their interest in reasons for action, which diminishes to nothing at the Surrealist end.

Gist of Idea

Kantian existentialists care greatly for reasons for action, whereas Surrealists care nothing

Source

Iris Murdoch (The Sovereignty of Good [1970], I)

Book Ref

Murdoch,Iris: 'The Sovereignty of Good' [RKP 1974], p.35

A Reaction

Presumably for all existentialists moral decisions are the most important aspect of life, since they define what you are, but the Surrealist wing seem to be nihilists about that, so they barely count as existentialists. For them life is sleepwalking.

The 15 ideas from 'The Sovereignty of Good'

23563 Philosophy moves continually between elaborate theories and the obvious facts [Murdoch]
22338 An unexamined life can be virtuous [Murdoch]
22337 Philosophy must keep returning to the beginning [Murdoch]
22341 Literature is the most important aspect of culture, because it teaches understanding of living [Murdoch]
22339 Love is a central concept in morals [Murdoch]
22343 If I attend properly I will have no choices [Murdoch]
22340 It is hard to learn goodness from others, because their virtues are part of their personal history [Murdoch]
22342 Kantian existentialists care greatly for reasons for action, whereas Surrealists care nothing [Murdoch]
22345 Moral philosophy needs a central concept with all the traditional attributes of God [Murdoch]
22348 Ordinary human love is good evidence of transcendent goodness [Murdoch]
22347 Appreciating beauty in art or nature opens up the good life, by restricting selfishness [Murdoch]
22346 Moral reflection and experience gradually reveals unity in the moral world [Murdoch]
22351 Only a philosopher might think choices create values [Murdoch]
22350 Only trivial virtues can be possessed on their own [Murdoch]
22349 Art trains us in the love of virtue [Murdoch]