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Series:   Elements in Religion and Monotheism

Monotheism and Existentialism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Deborah Casewell
Deborah Casewell
Affiliation:
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Summary

Existentialism is often seen and at times parodied as the philosophy of individuality, authenticity, despair, and defiance in a godless world. However, it cannot be understood without reference to religion, and in particular the monotheism of Christianity. Even the existentialist slogan, 'existence precedes essence', is formulated in relation to monotheism. This Element will show that monotheism and existentialism are intertwined: they react to each other, and share content and concerns. This Element will set out a genealogy of existentialist thought; explore key atheistic and theistic existentialists; and argue that there are productive conversations to be had as regards key concepts such as freedom and authenticity, relationality, and ethics.
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Keywords

existentialismGodreligionatheismontology
Type
Element
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Series: Elements in Religion and Monotheism
Online ISBN: 9781108985307
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 14 April 2022

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Monotheism and Existentialism
  • Deborah Casewell, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
  • Online ISBN: 9781108985307
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Monotheism and Existentialism
  • Deborah Casewell, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
  • Online ISBN: 9781108985307
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Monotheism and Existentialism
  • Deborah Casewell, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
  • Online ISBN: 9781108985307
Available formats
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