Humanistic philosophy like existentialism makes emphasis of one's experience as the source of meaning in life. In fact, English philosophers, Hobbes and Locke claimed, "experience is the measure of all things." Making emphasis of "experience" unveils some facts: (1) before existentialism, knowledge is based on theoretical frameworks like the metaphysical or theological one, but not experiential or "empirical," and (2) any knowledge which is based on experience is considered "humanistic." Existentialism is a philosophical belief which considers the following: one's individual existence and his unique experience. Thus, existentialism is a very humanistic philosophy. Yet, any humanistic philosophy may avoid conversations about God or any metaphysical theories since any of these ideas eludes one's concrete experience, or say, it is never experiential.
Existentialism is known to be attributed to Soren Kierkegaard (1813—1855), generally considered as the Father of Existentialism. Kierkegaard is one of the philosophers who detest modernism -a kind of perspective which heavily relies on man's thinking power (true to all modern philosophers). "Knowledge is power," is somehow part and parcel of this modern perspective. With this perspective, man is believed to have all the ingredients in knowing the laws of nature. In knowing the laws of nature, man can control or manipulate nature. Nature, then, is subjected to the controlling power of man's thinking capabilities. With "thinking power," man becomes superior to all other beings.
Kierkegaard, together with some other philosophers, reacted this kind of philosophical belief. This philosophical belief presupposes that man is "essentially" thinking being (as Descartes claimed). The defining nature of human beings is thinking. Yet, Kierkegaard believes that man doesn't possess such thing as "essential nature," like thinking. Fundamentally man "exists" first before he thinks. For Kierkegaard, there should be an emphasis first of existence before anything else. With man's existence, man defines his/her essence. His essence does not necessarily become "thinking."
The emphasis of existence leads philosophers, especially existentialist philosophers to explore some related ideas like "individuality," "subjectivity," "experience," and a lot more. In this article, I'd like to take into consideration of the beautiful word, "experience." This word sounds great and favorable to young generation, but if taken to the extreme, it causes some problems in one's life. I don't totally agree in the saying, "experience is the best teacher." For me, the idea of experience is somehow helpful for any individual to become what he wants to become, or for him to become human. Yet, the idea of experience should be imbibed with some qualifications.
First, experience should be coupled with reflection. I agree that experience is the best source of meaning in life. But experience alone is blind; it does not speak by itself of its meaning. One should reflect on his experience. For Gabriel Marcel, reflection is a way of transcending or moving from one level in life to the next or to the higher level in life. For example, at this moment, you have experienced failure. Your experience of failure does not by itself speak of its meaning. In fact, that experience may ruin your life because of some negative feelings associated with it. But if you start asking question of your experience such as, "why did you fail?", "which part have you failed?", "what are the causes of my failures" and so on and on, you are "reflecting" on your experience. In reflection you find answers, which nobody has ever found (Yes, your answers can be found in books!) But, your answers are unique in that they are experiential. Your answers will enlighten your life. With this enlightenment, you are now ready to move or transcend to the next chapter of your life. Take note: we should always put in mind the advice of Husserl in doing reflection: "Set aside all emotions in doing reflection!"
Second, experience is always associated with experimentation. This is one thing we need to avoid if we want to imbibe the idea of "experience." Experience connotes "experimentation." If we equate experience with experimentation, we might come to think of living our life in doing "experiments." For example, I haven't any knowledge of sex that my teachers are explaining or my classmates are talking about, so I need to experience sex. Again, from existentialist point of view, experience is the best teacher. So, you think you need to experience it (say, pre-marital sex). If you do it, you are making "experiments" in your life. Experience and "wanting to experience" are two different things, but somehow the difference of both gives us some confusion. Take note: there is always time for everything. The value of waiting is still important. Patience is still a virtue. We don't need to rush everything.
In conclusion, our road to become human is rough and winding. Experience is the best way we can answer our quest to become human. Yet experience should be coupled with reflection and we should not equate experience with "experimentation."
Existentialism is known to be attributed to Soren Kierkegaard (1813—1855), generally considered as the Father of Existentialism. Kierkegaard is one of the philosophers who detest modernism -a kind of perspective which heavily relies on man's thinking power (true to all modern philosophers). "Knowledge is power," is somehow part and parcel of this modern perspective. With this perspective, man is believed to have all the ingredients in knowing the laws of nature. In knowing the laws of nature, man can control or manipulate nature. Nature, then, is subjected to the controlling power of man's thinking capabilities. With "thinking power," man becomes superior to all other beings.
Kierkegaard, together with some other philosophers, reacted this kind of philosophical belief. This philosophical belief presupposes that man is "essentially" thinking being (as Descartes claimed). The defining nature of human beings is thinking. Yet, Kierkegaard believes that man doesn't possess such thing as "essential nature," like thinking. Fundamentally man "exists" first before he thinks. For Kierkegaard, there should be an emphasis first of existence before anything else. With man's existence, man defines his/her essence. His essence does not necessarily become "thinking."
The emphasis of existence leads philosophers, especially existentialist philosophers to explore some related ideas like "individuality," "subjectivity," "experience," and a lot more. In this article, I'd like to take into consideration of the beautiful word, "experience." This word sounds great and favorable to young generation, but if taken to the extreme, it causes some problems in one's life. I don't totally agree in the saying, "experience is the best teacher." For me, the idea of experience is somehow helpful for any individual to become what he wants to become, or for him to become human. Yet, the idea of experience should be imbibed with some qualifications.
First, experience should be coupled with reflection. I agree that experience is the best source of meaning in life. But experience alone is blind; it does not speak by itself of its meaning. One should reflect on his experience. For Gabriel Marcel, reflection is a way of transcending or moving from one level in life to the next or to the higher level in life. For example, at this moment, you have experienced failure. Your experience of failure does not by itself speak of its meaning. In fact, that experience may ruin your life because of some negative feelings associated with it. But if you start asking question of your experience such as, "why did you fail?", "which part have you failed?", "what are the causes of my failures" and so on and on, you are "reflecting" on your experience. In reflection you find answers, which nobody has ever found (Yes, your answers can be found in books!) But, your answers are unique in that they are experiential. Your answers will enlighten your life. With this enlightenment, you are now ready to move or transcend to the next chapter of your life. Take note: we should always put in mind the advice of Husserl in doing reflection: "Set aside all emotions in doing reflection!"
Second, experience is always associated with experimentation. This is one thing we need to avoid if we want to imbibe the idea of "experience." Experience connotes "experimentation." If we equate experience with experimentation, we might come to think of living our life in doing "experiments." For example, I haven't any knowledge of sex that my teachers are explaining or my classmates are talking about, so I need to experience sex. Again, from existentialist point of view, experience is the best teacher. So, you think you need to experience it (say, pre-marital sex). If you do it, you are making "experiments" in your life. Experience and "wanting to experience" are two different things, but somehow the difference of both gives us some confusion. Take note: there is always time for everything. The value of waiting is still important. Patience is still a virtue. We don't need to rush everything.
In conclusion, our road to become human is rough and winding. Experience is the best way we can answer our quest to become human. Yet experience should be coupled with reflection and we should not equate experience with "experimentation."
