Gabriel Marcel, Embodiment, and Being with Steve Knepper
Jan 17, 2024
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Steve Knepper, Associate Professor, discusses Gabriel Marcel's work, including his fascination with human experience, embodiment, and presence in philosophy. They explore Marcel's interactions, purpose, and concern about modernity. The podcast also explores the challenges of excessive device usage and highlights Knepper's recent publications and upcoming projects.
Gabrielle Marcel's Friday evening salons in Paris fostered intellectual exchange and shaped his philosophy.
Marcel emphasized the importance of genuine presence and engagement with others, beyond mechanical interactions.
Marcel criticized modernity's reduction of mysteries to problems and advocated for embracing the complexity and distinctiveness of individual experiences.
Deep dives
Gabrielle Marcel's Friday evening salons and intellectual influence
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast episode is the significance of Gabrielle Marcel's Friday evening salons in Paris. These salons served as a platform for dialogue and conversation between thinkers, philosophers, students, and other intellectuals. Marcel hosted these salons before and after the Second World War, and they became important events in French intellectual history. Through these salons, Marcel introduced influential thinkers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche to the French scene and facilitated discussions that connected various intellectuals. The salons played a crucial role in fostering intellectual exchange, shaping Marcel's philosophy, and influencing other thinkers.
Marcel's exploration of presence and being in his philosophy
Another key point discussed in the episode is Gabrielle Marcel's emphasis on the concept of presence and being. Marcel believed that true presence involves more than just attentive listening or attention to others. It goes beyond mechanical interactions and requires genuine openness, reciprocity, and engagement with the other person. Marcel saw presence as a fundamental aspect of human relationships, conversations, and experiences. He criticized the reduction of relationships to impersonal interactions and emphasized the importance of breaking free from habitual, mechanized behavior. According to Marcel, being present to others and embracing the mystery within human connections is pivotal in leading a fulfilled and meaningful life.
Marcel's critique of modernity and the loss of mystery
The podcast episode delved into Gabrielle Marcel's critique of modernity and its tendency to reduce mysteries to problems. Marcel expressed concerns about the increasing focus on problem-solving in society and the diminishing ability to engage with mysteries. He argued that modernity's reliance on technocratic approaches and bureaucracy fails to grasp the depth and richness inherent in human experiences. Marcel highlighted the danger of reducing complex aspects of life, such as love, to simplistic explanations or formulas. He believed that embracing the mystery and particularity of experiences, such as the loss of a loved one, fosters a more authentic engagement with being. Marcel advocated for maintaining a sense of wonder, openness, and hope in the face of modern challenges and for cultivating a renewed appreciation for the distinctiveness and complexity of individual experiences.
The Importance of Being Present
Being present is crucial in life, as it allows us to truly experience and appreciate the world around us. This presence can extend beyond just interacting with people to include engaging with nature, art, and literature. According to Marcel, being present to others is both an ethical responsibility and a source of personal growth. It enables us to be responsive, respectful, and supportive, thereby enhancing our relationships and enriching our own lives. Marcel's concept of 'desponibility' captures the idea of being available to others with alert readiness and responsiveness. While the modern world tends to prioritize problem-solving and abstract thinking, being present serves as a counterbalance to this tendency, allowing us to tap into the richness of existence and experience wonder.
The Impact of Technology and the Need for a Proper Understanding of Death
The increasing reliance on technology and constant distractions from devices like smartphones have impaired our ability to be present. Marcel emphasizes the need to resist this trend and connect with others and the world on a more genuine, embodied level. He suggests that our obsession with problem-solving and productivity has caused a decline in wonder and a failure to properly understand death. Rather than treating death as a taboo subject, Marcel argues for a more holistic approach, acknowledging its importance and acknowledging the impact it has on our lives. He also explores the possibility of remaining present and connected with loved ones who have passed away, recognizing the potential for their continued presence in our lives. By embracing presence and cultivating a deeper understanding of death, we can lead more meaningful and fulfilled lives.
Steven E. Knepper is Associate Professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies at the Virginia Military Institute. In this episode we discuss the work of Gabriel Marcel, alongside the philosophy of embodiment and being.
Knepper's book: https://sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wonder-...
Previous episode with Knepper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfze7X6DjLo&ab_channel=HermitixPodcast
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