THE CHRISTIAN ORIGIN OF 20TH CENTURY EXISTENTIALISM: AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON LUIGI PAREYSON

Abstract

Based on the reflections of the Italian philosopher Luigi Pareyson in his works Studi sull'esistenzialismo and Ontologia della libertà, the article aims to further the discussion on two themes: the Christian origin of the reflection on existence in the 20th century and the topic of freedom in the ontology proposed by the author. Both themes are central to the history of 20th century existentialism. We find the first thesis riveting for its controversy with the atheistic or agnostic thesis and the second for developing a central theme of philosophical reflection in its ontological and moral aspects.