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Cornel West Existentialism
Wobblie
Overview
This video explores existentialism through the lens of Cornel West, emphasizing philosophy as a practice of confronting our finite existence, desires, and societal structures. West argues that true philosophy requires courage to question assumptions, engage in dialogue against dogmatism, and strive for democracy in the face of domination. He connects this to a way of life, not just abstract propositions, highlighting the importance of acknowledging our fallibility and finitude. The discussion also touches upon the role of music, art, and embracing imperfection, contrasting romantic notions of wholeness with the blues-inspired acceptance of catastrophe and the ongoing quest for meaning in a world marked by suffering and struggle.
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Chapters
- Philosophy is fundamentally about confronting our finite existence, acknowledging we are 'beings toward death'.
- This confrontation involves wrestling with our desires in the face of mortality.
- It also means engaging in dialogue to counter dogmatism and idolatry.
- Philosophical practice aims to foster democracy by holding accountable those in power.
Understanding our finitude and the inherent struggles of existence is the starting point for genuine self-examination and meaningful engagement with the world.
West describes humans as 'featherless, two-legged, linguistically conscious creatures born between urine and feces whose body will one day be the culinary delight of terrestrial worms.'
- Becoming a philosopher doesn't require formal schooling; it requires a love of wisdom and immense courage.
- The Socratic imperative to 'examine yourself' demands courage to question deeply held beliefs and assumptions.
- Courage is the essential virtue that enables critical thinking, love, and hope.
- Philosophy involves a 'meditation on and preparation for death,' understood as transformation rather than just an event.
Developing the courage to critically examine oneself and one's beliefs is crucial for personal growth and for engaging authentically with life's challenges.
Quoting William Butler Yeats, West states, 'It takes more courage to examine the dark corners of your own soul than it does for a soldier to fight on the battlefield.'
- Truth is not a set of absolute propositions but a 'way of life' that allows suffering to be expressed.
- Humans cannot achieve a monopoly on Truth (capital T); we can only access fallible truths (small t) that are open to revision.
- Existential thinkers emphasize our finitude and inability to fully grasp ultimate reality.
- The quest for truth involves acknowledging our limitations and embracing different 'ways' or paths toward understanding, whether scientific, religious, or artistic.
Recognizing the fallibility of our knowledge and embracing diverse paths to understanding fosters intellectual humility and a more resilient pursuit of truth.
West contrasts abstract notions of death with Vico's idea of being a 'corpse' and the raw, 'funky stanky stuff of life' expressed in blues music.
- Music, particularly the blues and jazz, is central to West's philosophy as a way of expressing the funk and complexity of life.
- Art and intense intellectual engagement can make us feel 'intensely alive,' sometimes overwhelmingly so.
- This intensity can be so profound that it requires a 'break' or a return to a more mundane state, like needing a drink after reading Melville.
- Plato's views on music, particularly his critique of the flute in the Republic, highlight the power of art to appeal to different aspects of the human soul.
Engaging with art and ideas can profoundly enrich our lives, but it also highlights the need for balance and grounding in everyday reality.
West describes himself as a 'blues man in the life of the mind' and a 'jazz man in the world of ideas,' emphasizing music's fundamental role.
- Modern thought is often saturated with romanticism, an obsession with wholeness and harmony that leads to disappointment when unattainable.
- True wisdom, like that found in later Beethoven or the blues, begins not with the pursuit of wholeness but with acknowledging catastrophe and wreckage.
- The blues express personal catastrophe lyrically, offering a way to generate 'earned self-togetherness' in the face of horror.
- Time should be seen not just as a loss but as a gift, and 'failure' can be reframed as gratitude for what has been accomplished.
Moving beyond romantic ideals of perfection allows us to find strength and meaning in imperfection, embracing life's difficulties as a source of resilience and wisdom.
West references the blues starting 'with catastrophe' and the 'pile of wreckage,' contrasting it with a romantic obsession with unattainable wholeness.
- Philosophy has a duty to address the problem of meaning and the challenge of nihilism.
- The quest for a meaningful life is not a static goal but an ongoing, Sisyphean process.
- We continually strive for 'better meanings or grander more enabling meanings' without ever reaching a final destination.
- This continuous striving, even without ultimate arrival, constitutes a meaningful existence.
The pursuit of meaning, though unending, is itself a fundamental aspect of a rich and engaged human life, offering purpose even in the face of uncertainty.
West describes the search for meaning as 'Sisyphean,' like rolling a boulder up a hill, a process one continues throughout life without reaching a final summit.
Key takeaways
- Philosophy is an active, courageous practice of self-examination and confronting our mortality.
- True wisdom involves embracing our finitude and fallibility, rather than seeking absolute certainty.
- Dialogue and critical thinking are essential tools for challenging dogmatism and promoting democracy.
- Truth is best understood as a lived practice and a continuous journey, not a fixed set of propositions.
- Art, especially music like the blues, offers profound ways to process suffering and find meaning in life's complexities.
- Moving beyond romantic ideals of perfection allows for greater resilience and gratitude in the face of life's inevitable difficulties.
- The quest for meaning is an ongoing, dynamic process that defines a significant human existence.
Key terms
ExistentialismFinitudeBeing toward deathDogmatismDialogueDominationDemocracySocratic imperativeCourageTruth as a way of lifeFallibilityRomanticismCatastropheNihilismSisyphean quest
Test your understanding
- How does Cornel West define the fundamental task of philosophy in relation to our finite existence?
- What role does courage play in the philosophical endeavor, according to West?
- Explain West's concept of 'truth as a way of life' and how it differs from traditional views of truth.
- How does West use the metaphor of the blues to describe a response to catastrophe and suffering?
- What does West mean by the 'Sisyphean quest' in the context of finding meaning in life?