Lev Shestov is an early 20th century Russian philosopher who has made massive contributions to the development of the philosophical aspect of existentialism. Shestov has contributed to existentialism through his fascinating critique of philosophy and his surprising connection between philosophical existentialism and religion. He is also one of the first Russian philosophers to find an audience in Europe. Existentialism is a philosophy, popularized in the 20th century, that analyzes an individual's existence while in a Supernatural environment. The individual must act on free will and decide what is right or wrong (Merriam Webster). Lev Shestov was an existential philosopher born on January 31, 1866 in Kiev Ukraine. He was born into a
…show more content…
Shestov believes that life cannot be comprehended through logic or Reason. This is unique as philosophy tends to explain the meaning of our existence. He has also advocated for people to ask questions about their surroundings and not to seek answers to questions that cannot be comprehended by the human mind. One of Shestov more famous quotes from his book ‘All Things Are Possible’ states that ‘Philosophy must have nothing in common with logic, philosophy is an art that aims at breaking the logical continuity of argument and bringing man out on the shoreless sea of imagination’ (As cited by Gregory B. Sadler). Shestov feels that philosophy should be more about things that are supernatural, or existential, in our world and less about things that can be explained through logic and reason. This quote truly exemplifies Shestov’s connection between philosophy and existentialism. The whole concept of existentialism revolves around individuals in a supernatural environment that they cannot understand. Shestov is explaining to us that our very own existence is, to a degree, existential because we cannot even grasp the reason for our very existence. This way of thinking has benefitted existentialism immensely. The philosophy of existentialism focuses on individuals in a supernatural environment. These individuals tend to not question the logic or reason of their environments instead they look …show more content…
He believed that everyone should have a personal God, not one created in text but believed through faith. This is because popular religions followed by large groups of people tend to explain the meaning of our existence. Shestov believes that this cannot be understood by anyone and that these questions which inquiry our very existence are better left unanswered. Shestov recommends a personal god, instead of one based in scripture. A personal God won't necessarily attempt to explain the meaning of our existence. It may however be able to explain the possibility of supernatural environments that cannot be interpreted or understood with logic or Reason. This principle clearly benefits the philosophy of existentialism. One who believes in a god that is mysterious and capable of anything will interpret a Supernatural environment better than one who believes in a God who has explained how things are supposed to be through
Shestov believes that life cannot be comprehended through logic or Reason. This is unique as philosophy tends to explain the meaning of our existence. He has also advocated for people to ask questions about their surroundings and not to seek answers to questions that cannot be comprehended by the human mind. One of Shestov more famous quotes from his book ‘All Things Are Possible’ states that ‘Philosophy must have nothing in common with logic, philosophy is an art that aims at breaking the logical continuity of argument and bringing man out on the shoreless sea of imagination’ (As cited by Gregory B. Sadler). Shestov feels that philosophy should be more about things that are supernatural, or existential, in our world and less about things that can be explained through logic and reason. This quote truly exemplifies Shestov’s connection between philosophy and existentialism. The whole concept of existentialism revolves around individuals in a supernatural environment that they cannot understand. Shestov is explaining to us that our very own existence is, to a degree, existential because we cannot even grasp the reason for our very existence. This way of thinking has benefitted existentialism immensely. The philosophy of existentialism focuses on individuals in a supernatural environment. These individuals tend to not question the logic or reason of their environments instead they look …show more content…
He believed that everyone should have a personal God, not one created in text but believed through faith. This is because popular religions followed by large groups of people tend to explain the meaning of our existence. Shestov believes that this cannot be understood by anyone and that these questions which inquiry our very existence are better left unanswered. Shestov recommends a personal god, instead of one based in scripture. A personal God won't necessarily attempt to explain the meaning of our existence. It may however be able to explain the possibility of supernatural environments that cannot be interpreted or understood with logic or Reason. This principle clearly benefits the philosophy of existentialism. One who believes in a god that is mysterious and capable of anything will interpret a Supernatural environment better than one who believes in a God who has explained how things are supposed to be through