Existentialism Quote by Ali Shariati
“In comparison with capitalism, which reconstituted man as an economic animal; in comparison with Marxism, which found man an object made up of organized matter; in comparison with catholicism, which saw him as the unwitting plaything of an imperious unseen power (the Divine Will); in comparison with dialectical materialism, which saw him as unwitting plaything of the deterministic evolution of the means of production- existentialism made man a god”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Postcolonial Critique of Ideologies, 1970s
Existentialism emphasizes personal freedom, contrasting other systems that reduce humans to objects or forces beyond control.
In simple terms: Existentialism sees humans as free creators, not predetermined objects.
Key Takeaway
Embrace personal responsibility and self‑creation.
Themes
freedom
responsibility
existentialism
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- career choices
- spiritual seeking
- political activism
Key Concepts
human agency
philosophical anthropology
ideological critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assert your freedom within societal structures?
- What responsibilities arise from seeing yourself as a creator?
A Different Perspective
Existentialism may overlook social constraints that limit freedom.
