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Single Idea 6690
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 6. Authentic Self
]
Full Idea
A standard problem for existentialism is the 'sincere Nazi'; there were undoubtedly some true believers, who saw in Nazism a creed that they wanted to believe, and who freely chose to endorse it.
Gist of Idea
A standard problem for existentialism is the 'sincere Nazi'
Source
Gordon Graham (Eight Theories of Ethics [2004], Ch.5)
Book Ref
Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.86
A Reaction
The failing of Nazis was that they were not good citizens. They might have been good members of a faction, but they were (in my opinion) poor citizens of Germany, and (obviously) appalling citizens of Europe. The objection to existentialism is good.
The
14 ideas
from Gordon Graham
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6685
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'Subjectivism' is an extension of relativism from the social group to the individual
[Graham]
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6691
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It is more plausible to say people can choose between values, than that they can create them
[Graham]
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6688
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Life is only absurd if you expected an explanation and none turns up
[Graham]
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6690
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A standard problem for existentialism is the 'sincere Nazi'
[Graham]
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6689
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The key to existentialism: the way you make choices is more important than what you choose
[Graham]
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6693
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'What if everybody did that?' rather misses the point as an objection to cheating
[Graham]
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6700
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We can't criticise people because of unforeseeable consequences
[Graham]
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6701
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Rescue operations need spontaneous benevolence, not careful thought
[Graham]
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6699
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The chain of consequences may not be the same as the chain of responsibility
[Graham]
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6698
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Negative consequences are very hard (and possibly impossible) to assess
[Graham]
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6704
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Egoism submits to desires, but cannot help form them
[Graham]
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6705
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Existentialism may transcend our nature, unlike eudaimonism
[Graham]
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6706
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The great religions are much more concerned with the religious life than with ethics
[Graham]
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6709
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Western religion saves us from death; Eastern religion saves us from immortality
[Graham]
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