Humanities & Classics 1003
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Revolutions Forum
Humanities & Classics 1003 |
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Existential phiosophy revolves around two priciples; that each individual always has a choice and he or she is responsible for the repercussions of those choices. Most don't realize the myriad of choices that they face everyday; one usually excludes choices subconsciously becaouse they do not want to accept the consequences of the ignored choices. Then there are others who so things regardless of (or becaouse of) the consequences. THese are the individuals that change the world.
Take, for example, Paul Robeson. The average black man in pre- civil rights America didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of ever accomplishing anything. Robeson went beyond accomplishment, he conquered; famous opera singer, writer, actor, lawyer, footbll player. He knew there would be consequences for anything "normal" (let alone extraordinary) he did, becaouse of hte color of his skin. He was suspected of being a communist, and thus was blacklistd in the McCarthy era of the 1950's. He didn't let obstacles stop him; there were things in this life that he wanted, and he was willing to sacrifice anything to be the person he wanted to be.
Mythical characters, which teach us morals, also display strong Existentialist tendedcies. Albert Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus" focuses on the "absurd hero," a staple in Existentialist writings, who "is, as much through his passions as through his torture." The idea is that what you do is who you are, your choices and consequences are yours alone. Sisyphus' consequence for angering the gods was to perpetually roll a rock up a hill. I that consequence he also had a choice; he could accept his punishmnet and meake the best of it, accept it and be miserable, or not accept it at all. The point is that there are always options, and each choice has its own consequences.
Musi, in general, is probably the most Existential medium of expression. American composer John Cage "epitomized the quest for balance between freedom and control, meaninglessness and pruposeful action." This quote from the Fiero text clearly states what Existentialism is about: how everyone can be what they want without anyone else suffering for it. Cage said that"everything we do is music." This concept comes through in his compositions where the audience is as much a part of the piece as the musicians and the silence. His music was for him more than the audiences, so anyone's disapproval was not going to stop him from choosing to create. Cage's personal philosophy seems to be the source of inspiration for his work.
Personal beliefs and phiosophies seem to be the source of all protest music. Joe Hill's poetry was taken up by the wobblies. Bob Dlan was a voice of a generation. The Beatles spoke to thousands. Paul Simon continues to voice his beliefs in song. These individuals, as well as many others, used music to voice their opinions, beliefs, and offer alternatives to what they think is wrong. Music is a ground leveler, not only for the musicians but the audiences as well. Music is a forum where no idea is taboo and you don't even ned to carry atune to have avoice. As for the audience, they don't need to read to hear what the musician is saying.
Active Existentiailsm is about disregarding the status quo and going out into the world and finding the answers for yourself. The individuals who have changed the world are more Existentials thatn the average person. They chose their path andwouldn't let anyone or anything stop them. In choosing those paths, ethy accepted the consequences, good or bad, of their actions. Maybe if each of us were more existential, we could change the world, too.