Abstract

In Chapter I, I examine Socrates who I argue is an exemplar of early authenticity who offers an ethical dimension to authenticity that I elaborate on. I consider his life account, as well as his writings regarding the soul and other excerpts to make a case for what his account of authenticity would look like. I then put Socrates in conversation with Dostoevsky’s Underground Man who offers radically different accounts of authenticity and the internal organization of one’s psyche.

In Chapter II, I move to Sartre and outline his conception of bad faith, sincerity, the reflective consciousness and a brief look at virtue ethics. I consider the examples Sartre uses of the waiter and the student and offer my interpretation and insight into those examples. I am critical of some of the conclusions Sartre makes, but I ultimately affirm his conception of bad faith as a form of inauthenticity.

In Chapter III, I move to Charles Taylor who offers a complex account of how ethics and authenticity are intertwined. I further consider Kierkegaard and his steps of faith to contrast with Sartre’s account. I make the case that Kierkegaard sees further than Sartre and avoids the problem of bad faith and virtue with his steps of faith which I argue are steps to authenticity.

Finally I conclude with what I affirm authenticity to be in light of the work done in chapter I.-III.

Advisor

Riley, Evan

Department

Philosophy

Disciplines

Other Philosophy | Philosophy

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 John Warren Ophardt