Continental Philosophy
The historical development of existentialism and phenomenology in Continental philosophy was in direct response to Hegel’s philosophy of idealism. Even though prominent in the nineteenth century, the history of the existentialism and phenomenology premise dates back to Socrates and the pre-Socratics era (Moore & Bruder, 2005). Each school of thought has played such a significant part within the other that it attracted two of the most influential Continental philosophers, Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sarte.
Existentialism centers on the fact that traditional philosophy does not address the issues of true life. Philosophy has to center on each being’s understanding with the world, the world is not rational and is completely beyond understanding why it is the way it is and that humanity is plagued with illogicality and meaninglessness that only leads to despondency (Richardson, 1997). In following this, the person then confronts the obligation to decide how to exist in this strange and ridiculous world (Moore & Bruder, 2005). Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrech Nietzsche were two philosophers of the nineteenth century who had by now, had established themselves to several of these themes.
Both Kierkegaard and Nietzsche opposed Hegel’s idealism, believing that this optimistic philosophy did not address the true meaning of humanity and without dealing with the true nature of humanity, the individual will never be able to find purpose in life (Moore & Bruder, 2005). Both thought metaphysical systems took no notice of the individual dilemma.
Kierkegaard was mostly interested in the person and his or her resolve and need to make impor ...