Continental Philosophy

Continental philosophy in regards to existentialism and phenomenology were brought to life through centuries of philosophical thinking. This form of philosophy can be traced back to Georg Hegel as his influence spread like wildfire through the centuries. Starting with Hegel, the following describes contributing philosophers and the main principles that would influence and structure continental philosophy as we know it today.

Georg Hegel (1770-1831) and his Hegelian idealism created response in the philosophers that would precede him. Hegel’s absolute idealism maintained that human thought is basically the absolute truth of things; things exist because of the thought. These beliefs sparked contradicting beliefs in the philosophers to come (Moore & Bruder, 2005, Philosophy: The Power of Ideas: Sixth Edition, Ch. 7, pp. 143-144).

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was the first to react to Hegel’s idealism. He deliberated that humanity is driven by desires and impulse, concluding that thought is left out, recognizing will as the key factor in action or decision. Schopenhauer believed will is the force that drives, not just in humans, but the source of everything that happens. This thought undoubtedly stemmed from Hegel and would influence other philosophers such as Kierkegaard and Nietzsche (Moore & Bruder, 2005, Philosophy: The Power of Ideas: Sixth Edition, Ch. 7, pp. 146-147).

Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) regarding existentialism, disagreed with Hegel’s system and decided that the individual has a will of their own to make important choices. Kierkegaard said that the individual is in despair because of having to make decisions “alone”. The fundamental question for Kierkegaard regarding existentialism was “Is there anything in this world that the individual can cling to keep from being swept away in the tides of despair”? Kierkegaard opposed Hegel’s belief and thought that the world is irrational and all were forced to live in despair (Moore & Bruder, 2005, Philosophy: The Power of Ideas: Sixth Edition, Ch. 8, p. 161).

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) not only disagreed with Hegel’s idealism, he rejected it altogether. Nietzsche believed in the will-to-power, he believed the individual must rise against the mold of thoughtless living, break free of the wandering flock so-to-speak as he described the Ubermensch or Superman breaking the submissive slave mentality; he believed that doing this creates morality and values (Moore & Bruder, 2005, Philosophy: The Power of Ideas: Sixth Edition, Ch. 8, pp. 161-162).

Albert Camus (1913-1960) believed that many people do not see the world as it really is; they go on living their whole lives without ever realizing this is such. Camus believed that people deceive themselves and because of this remain somewhat happy. He thought there was a need for clarity and understanding, along with social warmth; living in absurd world however, these need are rarely met. Camus maintained the idea that only through struggling through this life, in a world that