John Macquarrie was a theologian, philosopher, and Anglican priest who wrote extensively about existentialism. His interpretation of existentialism drew heavily on the work of Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and other prominent philosophers in the field. In this essay, we will explore Macquarrie’s understanding of existentialism, its core concepts, and its significance.
Macquarrie believed that existentialism was a philosophical and cultural movement that arose in response to the crises of the twentieth century. He argued that the two world wars, the rise of totalitarianism, and the general sense of meaninglessness that pervaded society created a need for a new way of thinking about the human condition. Macquarrie saw existentialism as a response to this need, offering a way to understand the human situation that was both honest and empowering.
At the heart of Macquarrie’s existentialism was the idea that human beings are fundamentally free and responsible. He saw freedom as the defining characteristic of human existence, the quality that sets us apart from other creatures. But freedom, for Macquarrie, was not simply the ability to make choices. It was a burden, a responsibility that we must shoulder if we are to live authentic lives. This responsibility requires us to make choices that are true to ourselves, that reflect our deepest values and commitments.
This emphasis on freedom and responsibility led Macquarrie to reject determinism and any other philosophy that denied human agency. He saw determinism as a form of nihilism, a denial of the significance of human life. Instead, Macquarrie argued that we must accept the burden of freedom, recognizing that our choices have real consequences and that we must take responsibility for them.
Another key concept in Macquarrie’s existentialism was the idea of anxiety. He saw anxiety as an inevitable consequence of our freedom, a recognition of the vastness and complexity of the world we inhabit. But anxiety, for Macquarrie, was not simply a negative emotion to be avoided. Instead, he argued that anxiety could be a positive force, driving us to confront the realities of our existence and inspiring us to live more fully.
Macquarrie also believed that existentialism offered a way to understand the religious dimension of human experience. He saw religion as an attempt to make sense of the mystery of existence, to come to terms with the fundamental questions of life. But for Macquarrie, religion was not a matter of blind faith or dogma. Instead, he saw religion as a response to the existential challenges of human existence, a way to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem meaningless.
One of the most important aspects of Macquarrie’s existentialism was his emphasis on authenticity. He believed that authenticity was the key to living a meaningful life, that it was only by being true to ourselves that we could find true fulfillment. But authenticity, for Macquarrie, was not simply a matter of being true to our surface desires or impulses. Instead, he argued that authenticity required a deep self-understanding, a recognition of our deepest values and commitments.
Macquarrie’s existentialism was also characterized by a sense of hope. He believed that despite the challenges of existence, human beings were capable of living meaningful lives. He saw hope as a necessary component of existentialism, a belief in the possibility of transcendence and the ultimate significance of human existence.
In conclusion, John Macquarrie’s existentialism was a complex and nuanced philosophy that drew on the work of many prominent thinkers in the field. His emphasis on freedom, responsibility, anxiety, authenticity, and hope offers a compelling way to understand the human condition and to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem bewildering and meaningless.