THE CONCEPT OF HUMAN AUTHENTIC LIVING AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE: A PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION

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Martinus Nangwasha
Njuguna Waitherero

Abstract

This article aimed to explore the concept of the human authentic living. It stresses on the why acting authentically promotes personal well-being and overall fulfilment which then leads to stronger interpersonal relationships. The article was motivated by the growing nature of inauthentic life-styles that most people are living, especially in contemporary times. The inauthentic life style has affected people badly because it causes them to stay away from the truth and true image of themselves. The common definition of authenticity is to live one’s life according to one’s beliefs, goals and values. One has to identify his or her important values in life, commit to them and work according to them. Authenticity means that one is true to one’s principles and values despite the pressure one has to endure in life. When one is true to oneself, he or she has much trust on own judgements and decisions. When one trusts oneself and does what is right, one can realize full potential in life.  Heideggerian phenomenology and Sartrean existentialism reveal that the role played by authenticity in prompting the adoption of an authentic attitude, liberates one. It gives one the freedom to break free of learnt behavior and rise to the highest self. Being authentic gives one the confidence to see oneself for who he or she truly is, and bask in one’s uniqueness. Consequently, the importance of authenticity for self and society is immense. This article established that authenticity is positively related to life satisfaction and physical well-being. Also, acting authentically promotes personal well-being and overall fulfilment, and leads to stronger interpersonal relationships. The point of departure is that the term “authenticity” refers to being real, genuine, or true. This research was carried out in Library based on philosophical literature. Interpretivism research methodology was employed. Interpretivism is a branch of epistemology that is focused on the assessment of the differences between human as social factors.

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