“No good society can rid a man of depravity.”
Notes from the Underground, Fyodor Dostoevsky
This Dostoevsky quote, right alongside many others, seems comparable to another well acknowledged quote from Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862): “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Many other commonalities can be found from the words Dostoevsky, another noted existentialist. Let’s dig in.
Academically, this Philosophical development known as Existentialism, Russian Imperialist Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) has also been commonly accredited as an additional founder (alongside Nietzsche and Kierkegaard, and in other cases Franz Kafka, too). To recount, the more authentically noted “beginners” of this development, Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is frequently brushed “under the rug” due to his political sway in the Nazi party; Karl Jaspers (1883-1969), since he would not accept the label of a “German Existentialist”; and Jean Paul Sartre (1905-1980), since he had become more accredited for his development of the sociocultural movement known as the ‘Beatnik Generation’. Regardless, these are the more frequently noted three Existentialists, just as well as the three most “shoved under the rug,” despite that they “Existed” after Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, and even Thoreau. This must be because Existentialism has always been such a difficult label to truly expound upon and assign characteristics, let alone prescribe titles. As mentioned, for years Existentialism has been regarded as relatively indefinable anyway, so defining the true “founding fathers” can be a matter of political views, geographic representation, or mere personal interpretation.
In regard to Dostoevsky and his contribution in this vast and overwhelmingly misinterpreted and seemingly indefinable philosophical movement, his description will make this clarity easier by no means whatsoever. His material is intimidatingly immense, seemingly immeasurable, an indefinable comprehensive mess. By default, then, his expansive focus can claim his main defining factor. Or another one, he is frequently noted in academic texts as the contrast of Kierkegaard. So there are two defining constituents already.
“Excessive Consciousness is a Disease.”
No doubt he firmly believed this claim he made, but this was ostensibly a characteristic of himself that must have mildly bordered on insanity. He maintained other paradoxical characteristics, too. Though he was quite the pronounced Anti-Catholic, clearly noted Anti-Semite, as well as an Anti-Western Russian Nationalist, he was a devout Christian who honored and respected the power of the gospel nonetheless.
Regardless, due to the definition and clarity enhanced, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche are truly considered the pioneers. Although this Russian philosopher and theologian did have a Christian background, unlike Heidegger, Jaspers, and Sartre — due to the time span posted in these:
Kierkegaard: http://factoidz.com/in-regard-to-s%c3%b8ren-kierkegaard-what-defines-existentialism/
Heidegger: http://factoidz.com/in-regard-to-heidegger-what-defines-existentialism/
Or here: http://factoidz.com/what-is-existentialism/
Dostoevsky stressed the importance of free-choice and individuality. Those are the distinguishing differences.
Dostoevsky’s focal addition in defining Existentialism truly rests in part one of his Notes from the Underground. The unnamed, masochistic, and nihilistic focal character in this writing, which has been hailed by many as the masterpiece which authoritatively claims definition to Existentialism, retains a strict focus on his intensely though thoroughly sustained self-consciousness, even in spite of any indecision or contradiction. This is but one facet of this elaborate conscious study. Many more themes of Notes from the Underground are covered in Sparknotes: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/underground/themes.html
Analysis of main characters gives explicit coverage in which to explore: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/underground/canalysis.html
Or simply the Context posted: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/underground/context.html
Nonetheless, Dostoevsky makes an incredibly interesting topic of study.
Philosophical Existentialist movement, in regard to Søren Kierkegaard: http://factoidz.com/in-regard-to-s%c3%b8ren-kierkegaard-what-defines-existentialism/
Philosophical Existentialist movement, in regard to Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900): http://factoidz.com/in-regard-to-neitzsche-what-defines-existentialism/
Philosophical Existentialist movement, an Existentialist spoof in Native American literature: http://factoidz.com/existentialist-spoof-in-native-american-literature/
Philosophical Existentialist movement, in regard to Martin Heidegger: http://factoidz.com/in-regard-to-heidegger-what-defines-existentialism/
General definition of Existentialism: http://factoidz.com/what-is-existentialism/
