Being authentic: what is authenticity and what’s so good about it?

Join Dr. Sacha Golob as he delves into the philosophical questions surrounding authenticity, using Antony Scaramucci's book "The Blue Collar President" as a starting point. This video explores the nature of authenticity, its implications, and its challenges, while also addressing classic philosophical questions and their modern relevance.

Antony Scaramucci describes Trump as a unique figure with a certain authenticity. The video examines the difference between being authentic and being fake, questioning the true nature of Trump's authenticity. Dr. Golob explores whether authenticity is a desirable trait in political leaders, especially in the context of Trump's persona.

Authenticity is a central theme in modern philosophy, from Polonius's "to thine own self be true" to Madonna's "express yourself." It's particularly prominent in existentialism and 20th-century European philosophy. Authenticity involves realizing your deepest desires and character traits, but this concept raises concerns about the true nature of the self and whether our desires are genuinely our own.

Philosophers like Kant argue that our desires and traits are shaped by external factors, questioning the existence of a deep, authentic self. Authenticity might also conflict with virtues like compromise and reflection. Exploring the tension between authenticity and moral norms, the video discusses whether someone can be authentically themselves while engaging in morally questionable behavior.

20th-century philosophers like Sartre and Heidegger propose a deeper understanding of authenticity, focusing on knowledge of the human condition and the freedom to choose. The concept of authenticity has significant political implications, influencing democratic politics and individual self-development. Philosophers like Foucault critique the idea of a deep self as a product of societal norms.

Dr. Sacha Golob is the Subject Editor for 19th Century Philosophy for the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy and a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at King’s College London. He is also the Associate Editor of the British Journal for the History of Philosophy.

• Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://www.rep.routledge.com

• British Journal for the History of Philosophy: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rbjh20

• Immanuel Kant: https://www.rep.routledge.com/article...

• Political Philosophy: https://www.rep.routledge.com/article...

• Jean-Paul Sartre: https://www.rep.routledge.com/article...

• Authenticity in Existentialism: https://www.rep.routledge.com/article...

• Michel Foucault: https://www.rep.routledge.com/article...

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