In Our Time Authenticity
In this thought-provoking discussion, Sarah Richmond, an Associate Professor at University College London, along with Denis McManus from the University of Southampton, and Irene McMullin from the University of Essex, delve into the complexities of authenticity. They explore its philosophical roots from Aristotle to Sartre, highlighting the tension between being true to oneself and societal responsibilities. The conversation raises questions about self-creation, the evolution of individualism, and the moral dilemmas inherent in pursuing authenticity, ultimately challenging listeners to reflect on what it means to live genuinely.
50:33
Aristotle's Authenticity
- Aristotle was concerned with the reasons behind actions, not just their morality.
- He believed virtuous people act virtuously for their own sake, not for external motives.
Augustine's Inner Depths
- Augustine explored human inwardness and the hidden depths within individuals.
- He distinguished between "servile fear" (fear of punishment) and "pure fear" (love for what God loves).
Rousseau's Social Corruption
- Rousseau believed that social existence corrupts natural compassion.
- He championed passionate authenticity over potentially self-deceptive reason.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Quest for Authenticity
01:46 • 11min
The Evolution of Individualism and Self-Creation
12:31 • 2min
The Quest for Authenticity
14:47 • 10min
Exploring Authenticity: Sartre and Beyond
25:02 • 14min
Exploring Identity and Authenticity
39:00 • 9min
The Struggle for Authenticity
47:46 • 4min
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thomas Common
The book details Zarathustra's descent from his mountain solitude to share his transformative ideas about humanity and existence.
Nietzsche explores themes such as the rejection of traditional moral values, individualism, and the concept of the Overman.
Zarathustra's interactions with various characters reveal his struggle to articulate his vision and confront prevailing societal values.
The book also delves into the existential test of the eternal recurrence of the same and the importance of self-overcoming and personal transformation.
The sorrows of young Werther
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Being and time
Martin Heidegger
In 'Being and Time', Heidegger delves into the fundamental question of what it means to 'be'.
The book is divided into two main divisions: the first analyzes the existentials of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world', while the second grounds these existentials in temporality.
Heidegger introduces key concepts such as 'Dasein', 'Being-with', and the three temporal ecstases (having-been, present, and to-come), emphasizing that Dasein's existence is essentially futural and characterized by its possibilities and projects.
The work challenges traditional philosophical notions of subject and object, instead positing that Dasein is inseparable from its world and historical context.
Being and Nothingness
Jean-Paul Sartre
In 'Being and Nothingness,' Jean-Paul Sartre delves into the fundamental categories of being and nothingness.
He distinguishes between 'being-in-itself' (objects that simply exist and are unaware of themselves) and 'being-for-itself' (human consciousness, which is self-aware and free).
Sartre argues that human beings are characterized by their freedom and responsibility, and that they must create their own being through their actions in the world.
The book also introduces the concept of 'being-for-others,' highlighting the impact of others on our self-perception.
Sartre rejects traditional notions of a transcendent reality and instead emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and authenticity in human existence.
Fear and trembling
Søren Kierkegaard
Søren Kierkegaard's 'Fear and Trembling' is a philosophical exploration of faith and the ethical dilemmas it presents.
The work centers on the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, examining the conflict between ethical demands and religious faith.
Kierkegaard argues that true faith requires a leap of faith, a suspension of ethical considerations in favor of absolute commitment to God. The book's profound insights into the nature of faith and the individual's relationship with God have had a lasting impact on religious thought and existentialism.
Kierkegaard's work challenges readers to confront the complexities of faith and to grapple with the ultimate questions of existence.
The Second Sex
Simone de Beauvoir
In 'The Second Sex', Simone de Beauvoir delves into the concept of feminism by examining historical facts, biological differences, psychoanalytic theories, and societal myths that have led to the subjugation of women.
The book is divided into two volumes: 'Facts and Myths' and 'Lived Experience'.
Beauvoir argues that women are not inherently inferior but are made so by societal constructs and historical injustices.
She critiques the notion that women are defined as 'The Other' in relation to men, emphasizing that this distinction denies women their humanity and autonomy.
The book explores various stages of a woman's life, from childhood to old age, highlighting how societal forces condition women into accepting passive and dependent roles.
Beauvoir advocates for women's equality and autonomy, particularly through economic independence and the ability to support themselves through work.
The Child, the Family and the Outside World
D.W. Winnicott
D. W.
Winnicott's "The Child, the Family, and the Outside World" is a seminal work in psychoanalysis, exploring the intricate interplay between the child's development and the environment.
The book emphasizes the importance of the mother-child relationship and the role of the 'good enough mother' in fostering healthy development.
Winnicott introduces key concepts such as transitional objects and the importance of play in the child's emotional growth.
He challenges traditional psychoanalytic views, focusing on the child's subjective experience and the impact of environmental factors.
The book's insights continue to influence contemporary understandings of child development and therapeutic practice.
Confessions
Augustine
Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible.
The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism.
He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden.
The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis.
The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.
Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle
The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life.
The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life.
Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence.
The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.
Critique of pure reason
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" is a monumental work in philosophy that revolutionized epistemology and metaphysics.
It explores the limits of human reason and the conditions under which knowledge is possible.
Kant argues that our experience is shaped by inherent structures of the mind, known as categories of understanding.
The book delves into the nature of space, time, and causality, and how these concepts structure our perception of the world.
Its influence on subsequent philosophical thought is immeasurable, shaping debates on knowledge, morality, and the nature of reality.
The Social Contract
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
In 'The Social Contract', Jean-Jacques Rousseau outlines a theory of government where the legitimacy of political authority stems from the consent of the governed.
The book begins with the famous line 'Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains,' highlighting the tension between natural freedom and the constraints of societal laws.
Rousseau argues that a legitimate state is formed when citizens enter into a social contract, surrendering some of their natural rights in exchange for civil rights and the protection of the general will.
The general will, a collective idea of the common good, is central to Rousseau's theory, and he advocates for a system where the people, as the sovereign, make decisions directly and where laws ensure liberty and equality.
The work has been influential in shaping modern political thought and has played a significant role in the French Revolution and the development of democratic principles.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss what it means to be oneself, a question explored by philosophers from Aristotle to the present day, including St Augustine, Kierkegaard, Heidegger and Sartre. In Hamlet, Polonius said 'To thine own self be true', but what is the self, and what does it mean to be true to it, and why should you be true? To Polonius, if you are true to yourself, ‘thou canst not be false to any man’ - but with the rise of the individual, authenticity became a goal in itself, regardless of how that affected others. Is authenticity about creating yourself throughout your life, or fulfilling the potential with which you were born, connecting with your inner child, or something else entirely? What are the risks to society if people value authenticity more than morality - that is, if the two are incompatible?
The image above is of Sartre, aged 8 months, perhaps still connected to his inner child.
With
Sarah Richmond Associate Professor in Philosophy at University College London
Denis McManus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southampton
and
Irene McMullin Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Essex
Producer: Simon Tillotson