ellwyn (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

full of sound and fury, signifying nothing

pilkingtonphil (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I think the most basic way to point out the limitations which institutions and other individuals have when we consider their influence over are actions is as follows:Sure, we try and integrate ourselves into a given community by conforming to its regulations. However, its often hard to discern EXACTLY what these regulations are, it often requires a (creative) interpretation on our own behalf. The same is true of our trying to conform to the desires of other individuals... hell is other people!

pilkingtonphil (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

...as the "base material" which this new creation can be formed out of.Determinism, the process of tracking cause and effect on a rational and observational basis, can tell us an awful lot, but it simply cannot tell us everything, it cannot account for everything.You mentioned psychology, for example. Ever since Freud its been recognised that attempting to conceive humans simply as rational, egoic creatures whose only motivations are self-preservative are destined to fail...

pilkingtonphil (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

To a large extent the determinist account is, of course, quite true; just ask any sociologist... And even a preliminary reading of "Critique of Dialectical Reason" or even certain passages of "Being and Nothingness" would indicate that Sartre would concede to this. However, it simply does not hold up for certain phenomena. Most specifically the human ability to create something essentially new, even if such creation requires a pre-established (pre-determined) reality...

Piecemeal23 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

the last comment was to debevec12. Thnx.

Piecemeal23 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You're correct, but you must also make the concession that ontologically speaking, humankind is bound out of habit/biological psychological necessity/egotism to maintain as well as bend to the confines of the realm of the possible within the given parameters of the ontological relation between the human individual and the conditions of the universal environment in which we live. This reality as constructed/influenced/occupied by others and forces separate from the individual as well as others.

munkybrain (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i'm still sure anyone would have a hard time making me resent the heart of Sartre's philosophy, even if they did point out certain follies of his.sure i will. thanks for recommending the video

mrfatd (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

love that music at the beginnin, any1 knows what it is?

mrfatd (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

he tried to synthesise heidegger with descartes, which is just absurd and heidegger himself said that sartre's philosophy is a muck. please check out this video on heidegger by hubert dreyfus posted by flame0430 and let me know what you think!

munkybrain (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

in what was was he garbage as a philosopher? wouldn't you agree at least the raw material of his philosophy is brilliant?