Claims Quote by David E. Cooper
“For me, the existentialists are important critics of 'absolutist' claims, and Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty are, at least in their later writings, also exponents of a doctrine of mystery: Being or the 'well-spring' of everything is, for Heidegger, ineffable, just as what Merleau-Ponty called 'Flesh' is for him.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Philosophy of Existentialism, 1995
Existentialists critique absolute claims and view being as a mystery beyond language, especially in later Heidegger and Merleau‑Ponty.
In simple terms: Being is mysterious and cannot be fully expressed.
Key Takeaway
Accept mystery, avoid over‑defining reality.
Themes
existentialism
philosophy
mystery
critique
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic discussion
- personal reflection
- teaching philosophy
Key Concepts
ineffability
ontological mystery
phenomenology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing mystery affect your worldview?
- Can you live with uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Limits of language may hinder practical application.
![“Look at all the stuff the Existentialists did. You can start with [Pablo] Picasso, you know, and then Francis Bacon and other guys like that. What they were doing is depicting suffering. And that's exactly what a demon is, he's pretending that he isn't. So he can get more people down there. You…” quote by Paul Laffoley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fdd/paul-laffoley-7077_company_look-at-all-the-stuff-the-existentialist_1903239.jpg)
