Evangelions psychology or philosophy

[BeoX2]

I'm skeptical of this proposition.

Oh come on now, Postmodernism beside, everyone knows that Anno is famous for his existensialist views and how he injects them into his stories. Evangelion most ceraintly is existensialist.

[Allemann]

Oh come on now, Postmodernism beside, everyone knows that Anno is famous for his existensialist views and how he injects them into his stories. Evangelion most ceraintly is existensialist.

Evangelion doesn't cover enough material to be existentialistic, and I never got the impression that Anno wanted to study existentialist thinkers to have an existentialist work tout court.

[supershinjiasukashipper]

I really can't decide, I would have to say I like the mix of it the most.

[Eva Yojimbo]

Evangelion doesn't cover enough material to be existentialistic,

That's like saying that a work doesn't cover enough philosophy to be philosophical. There are so many different branches of thought within existentialism itself that I think covering them all in a single work would be almost impossible. I think it's perfectly valid to say that a work who's themes are concerned with those that are central to much or even some existentialist thought (like NGE) is existentialist.

[Allemann]

That's like saying that a work doesn't cover enough philosophy to be philosophical. There are so many different branches of thought within existentialism itself that I think covering them all in a single work would be almost impossible.

Then which branch [sic] of existentialism was covered?

I think it's perfectly valid to say that a work who's themes are concerned with those that are central to much or even some existentialist thought (like NGE) is existentialist.

Then I hope you'll write an analysis about these themes. Sartre borrowed concepts from Husserl, but I wouldn't call him a phenomenologist.

[ran1]

I'm of the opinion that Anno did touch on some existential philosophy, but only in a "cinematic sense" with indirect homages to Kierkegaard (Sickness Unto Death) and Sartre (One More Final's homage to No Exit). But I don't think Anno's intent was to do an Existential pastiche like Tarantino does to say, Hong Kong Cinema, rather the significant existential qualities just happened to come out naturally through the progression of the show, which I think made it work better. I don't think Anno read Sartre's Being and Nothingness and said "LOOK AT THE BEING-FOR-OTHERS PART LET ME SEE HOW I CAN FORCE THIS INTO THE SHOW", which would make it "intentionally" existential.

I realize that my wording of this somewhat sucks but I hope everyone can catch my drift.

[Allemann]

I realize that my wording of this somewhat sucks but I hope everyone can catch my drift.

You read my thoughts precisely.

[Eva Yojimbo]

Then which branch [sic] of existentialism was covered?

Oh, I don't know, the whole concept of being alone in an uncaring world, desperately seeking human connection and stuff? If that stuff isn't existential, what is?

Then I hope you'll write an analysis about these themes.

Not likely. I'll leave that to the other philo-heads around here.

[supershinjiasukashipper]

Did anyone want to touch in on the topic of the sociology in evangelion, another one of my favorites?

[Allemann]

Oh, I don't know, the whole concept of being alone in an uncaring world, desperately seeking human connection and stuff? If that stuff isn't existential, what is?

Is it so hard to read an introductory book on existentialism (William Barret's Irrational Man, Gordon Marino's Basic Writings of Existentialism)? There's a fine line between existential dread and Shinji's whining. For me, SEELE were the only existentialist in the show, theistic ones on top of that.

[oOoOoOo]

That's interesting, Allemann. It would be nice if canon spent more time on the members of Seele, as I imagine they'd have some interesting perspectives on things. I find them effective antagonists, because I can be sympathetic to their ideals while finding their methods distasteful.

Shinji's basically terrified of making any choices, and tries to be as passive as possible to avoid pain. Seele's rather active by comparison. They long ago accepted that freedom often means suffering. They're no longer trying to avoid it, but instead are pushing through it to their blissed-out mass suicide party. I mean, they've clearly spent time envisioning all the most insane possibilities to all sorts of choices, and decide to barrel right ahead with one of the most insanest. Yes, that's not a real word.

[Eva Yojimbo]

Is it so hard to read an introductory book on existentialism (William Barret's Irrational Man, Gordon Marino's Basic Writings of Existentialism)?

For very busy people: Yes.

[BeoX2]

Ahh yes, Allemann, using big fancy words and spouting Latin does not make you an intellectual. I'm not even entirely sure why this debate even exists, as it is very well known and accepted that Evangelion deals with many Existentialist views and ideals. Going against this fact is like going against the fact that the Earth is round or that the Sun is in the center of our solar system. Just because you can be obstinate and go against a FACT does not make you some savior of the world or some philosopher genius akin to Socrates. You're pretentious and arrogant and view any little error as complete stupidity and failure on the part of the "accused." You, a 22 year old college graduate, sits here and argues with people over things because you seem to think it will impress us or make us look up to you. All it's done to me, and I would assume to many others, is make you look like a know it all prick. Your "professors" may have taught you all about the intricacies of modern philosophy and psychology and all sorts of other things, but apparently they failed to instill in you basic human values.

I'm asking you politely to please leave this thread alone and allow regular people to post their opinions, without having all their knowledge and research insulted.

Now, please, topic.

[ZapX]

[X] Elitism

[X] Ad hominem

[X] Backseat modding

Knock it off. Both of you.

[ran1]

Oh, there's a rule against elitism now? Wonderful. Where is that in the rulebook? Part of the reason I'm breaking this self-imposed silence is because nowhere did I find that in teh rulez.

Unless that's considered trolling, now.

basic human values.

Anno in his postmodern point of view would argue that values are subjective. In fact, Anno has no problem judging the emptiness of human values in the grand scheme of things in EoE. Remember when the Mass Production Eva steps on the soldier trying to save the life of a fallen ally?

Yeah.

I'm asking you politely to please leave this thread alone and allow regular people to post their opinions, without having all their knowledge and research insulted.

Do you have an issue with people knowing more than you? Allemann is bringing his knowledge to the discussion, you can choose to respond or not respond to it. I've been saying the exact same thing except it hasn't been "directed" towards anyone.

EDIT: But considering that this thread has "philosophy" in its title, it won't be long at all before this goes the way of the mammoths considering the attempts at stifling discussion (Image Macros, Dismissive posting, etc.) done in other philosophy threads and throughout this thread by the powers that be (appointed or non-appointed). Cool kneejerk reactions, bros.

[The Eva Monkey]

Oh, there's a rule against elitism now? Wonderful. Where is that in the rulebook? Part of the reason I'm breaking this self-imposed silence is because nowhere did I find that in teh rulez.

Read the rules Ran, members are expected to be courteous towards others. Being elitist, condescending, obnoxious, etc, is NOT being courteous. So yes, yes it is against the rules to take this sort of tone:

I'm asking you politely to please leave this thread alone and allow regular people to post their opinions, without having all their knowledge and research insulted.

...even if it is in response to another, turn the other cheek.

Keep it clean.

[Eva Yojimbo]

Being elitist, condescending, obnoxious, etc, is NOT being courteous.

Like Allemann always is, you mean? I think ran was talking about "elitist" in the more playful sense, not the offensive sense, though. I realize there's a fine line.

Do you have an issue with people knowing more than you? Allemann is bringing his knowledge to the discussion, you can choose to respond or not respond to it.

Allemann has a bad way of using his knowledge like a club for hit-and-runs.

[Mr. Tines]

This thread is not going into good places.

Last call for TOPIC, BITCHES.

[NightFoxy]

I just finished the cerebrum iq test and found it quite stimulating. The questions were varied and progressively challenging. While engaging, I wonder about the value of such online tools. Do you believe they offer meaningful insights into cognitive abilities, or are they primarily for entertainment? I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this matter.

[dzzthink]

Honestly, there are better tests available and this one looks kind of dodgy. 30 questions is kind of scant and you need to subscribe to get results. Not worth spending money on. This might be a scam lol.

These online tools are used by companies now for recruitment so there must be some consensus that this is a reliable indicator for intelligence. The one you used notably only deals with abstract reasoning but these days many tests also use math problems and decision-making based on the job type.

I also think personality tests are quite interesting as well, and you should check out the MBTI test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test