Authenticity

pp. 229-239

in: Gerhard Kreuch, Self-feeling, Berlin, Springer, 2019

Abstract

The last chapter of this book offers a brief discussion on how the notion of authenticity relates to self-feeling and self-interpretation. Based on Heidegger and his follower Coriando it is argued that appropriate self-feelings in the case of authenticity reveal the character of our existence as potentiality that is part of a greater whole. However, we have to take into account that these appropriate self-feelings are not always easy to bear. In the form of "angst" or "boredom" they confront us with the burden of freedom and open possibility. Thus, there is some benefit in adopting self-deceptive self-interpretations in order to avoid this burden. In light of this, some potential, fallible means to evaluate a self-interpretation are discussed, partly building on Pothast's work. Ultimately, authenticity seems to include two elements. First, there is the element of self-discovery. Our self-interpretation must not depart too much from our self-feeling. Second, there is the element of self-creation. It has two aspects. One, there is reason-based deliberation that leads to conclusions about what we should do and be. Two, there is an aspect of a genuine freedom to choose when we are facing incommensurable, hard decisions. Both these elements are shaped by self-feeling.