Overview of Authenticity, Inauthenticity, Existence & Essence
Many philosophers especially existentialists have used the term authenticity and inauthenticity on their writings to depict how people live on earth.
Several philosophers like the Heidegger and Sartre, as well as, Nietzsche brought clear distinctions between these two terms while deliberating on the theories of existence. Authenticity is used to illustrate the freedom a person emanates in daily undertakings.
Actions, which uphold authentic view, are about a person’s liberty without considering essence or any external forces (Sembera 88). Being authentic requires a person to exude high levels of autonomy in making choices so that they remain responsible for their actions.
Being inauthentic, on the other hand, is against one’s freedom to act, but resorts to external forces to take action.
This view of existence upholds the determinism whereby everything should be done to preset standards. It is about the mindset taken about by one’s sovereignty and liability, and the scope of deed inside this independence.
The phrase “existence precedes essence means that man was thrown into the world and condemned to determine what he wants to be. On the other hand, essence precedes existence, means that every man comes to the world with predetermined essence of how to live” (Kelly 271).
Heidegger and Sartre postulate that the existence of an individual physical organization heralds the essence of one’s nature. Sartre argues that individual beings exist, and it is just past existence that elements of the essence, called human extend (Kelly 272).
A being will start forming core after realizing that it exists, which usually takes time. An individual will eventually begin conceding and accepting essence during these moments.
The differences between authenticity and inauthenticity
Heidegger describes authentic as the option of self and accomplishment as well as espousing individuality.
On the other hand, he explains inauthenticity as the functioning to fit the description postulated by others. Being inauthentic usually comes as a result of the daily undertakings like the business. Others include exhilaration as well as obsession among others.
These activities are full of external factors, and there is a defined way of performing a duty which must be adhered to. Sartre discussed inauthenticity among the Jewish how they were unwholesome and unbalanced, contrary to what they ought to have been.
He writes that being inauthentic is characterized by cruelty, refutation and response configuration as ways of managing ambivalence and divergence. Inauthenticity includes personal behavior and identification.
A male who presents naturally as a female and denies it is said to be inauthentic. Another difference that Heidegger cites is that authenticity is essential contained by the societal framework while inauthenticity is not necessary.
Dedication to authenticity is aimed at driving one into an excellent relationship with his or her fellows thus actualizing legitimacy in the society.
Heidegger concludes that authenticity is temporary as opposed to inauthenticity because we are born with the former and achieves the later after some time (Lebedev 91)
Nietzsche on his view argues that authenticity is the elementary mode of existing in the globe. People normally stay at the spheres of authenticity and come upon inauthentic expression at some stage in ontic level.
It is crucial to note that the philosopher, Nietzsche, is a crusader of authenticity; consequently, he supports inauthenticity. Nietzsche argues that inauthenticity is intermittently useful in daily undertakings because it is unavoidable.
He says that it is not easy to realize deception because it comes into play in the process of knowing oneself. It is, therefore, clear from Nietzsche’s point of view that inauthenticity is part of all human beings, and it is unavoidable.
On the other hand, he argues that authenticity is inborn, and people live with it until death. Nietzsche states that a person can achieve the status of overman through authenticity. Furthermore, some people in society have attained the rank of overman.
Nietzsche outlines that all principles of man are incapable; hence it is imperative to lodge the need of the uppermost anticipation.
For a person to reach that level, he must change and avoid religion as well as moving ahead always (Abrams 255). Authenticity is thus considered crucial by Nietzsche for one to be happy and independent on earth.
Works Cited
Abrams, Jerold. The philosophy of Stanley Kubrick. Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky. 2007. Print.
Kelly, Eugene. The basics of western philosophy. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004. Print.
Labedeva, Kristina. “The Role of Techne in the Authenticity-Inauthenticity Distinction”. Kritike Journals, (2007): Vol. 1, Issue 2, 82-96. Print.
Sembera, Richard. Rephrasing Heidegger: a companion to Being and time. Ontario Ottawa, University of Ottawa, 2007. Print.