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Single Idea 6689

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

Full Idea

The chief implication of existentialism is this: what you choose to do, how you choose to spend your life, is not as important as the way you choose it.

Gist of Idea

The key to existentialism: the way you make choices is more important than what you choose

Source

Gordon Graham (Eight Theories of Ethics [2004], Ch.5)

Book Ref

Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.85

A Reaction

While existentialists place emphasis on some notion of 'pure' choice, this is very close to the virtue theory idea that in a dilemma there may be several different choices which could all be rightly made by virtuous people. Integrity is a central virtue.

The 14 ideas from Gordon Graham

6685 'Subjectivism' is an extension of relativism from the social group to the individual [Graham]
6691 It is more plausible to say people can choose between values, than that they can create them [Graham]
6688 Life is only absurd if you expected an explanation and none turns up [Graham]
6690 A standard problem for existentialism is the 'sincere Nazi' [Graham]
6689 The key to existentialism: the way you make choices is more important than what you choose [Graham]
6693 'What if everybody did that?' rather misses the point as an objection to cheating [Graham]
6700 We can't criticise people because of unforeseeable consequences [Graham]
6701 Rescue operations need spontaneous benevolence, not careful thought [Graham]
6699 The chain of consequences may not be the same as the chain of responsibility [Graham]
6698 Negative consequences are very hard (and possibly impossible) to assess [Graham]
6704 Egoism submits to desires, but cannot help form them [Graham]
6705 Existentialism may transcend our nature, unlike eudaimonism [Graham]
6706 The great religions are much more concerned with the religious life than with ethics [Graham]
6709 Western religion saves us from death; Eastern religion saves us from immortality [Graham]