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EXISTENTIALISM
CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL

AND THEIR CONCEPT OF THE
OTHER
AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY
By half of group 1
STUDENTS
NERIEN COETZEE 41406850
ANGELA LERM 40611809
M MOKOENA 24842249
ANNEKE VAN DER MERWE 42280397
IN THIS POWERPOINT THERE WILL BE
DISCUSSED
1. LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE

CHARACTER OF DAVID LURIE AND
HOW HE MAY HAVE AN
EXISTENTIALIST OUTLOOK ON LIFE
2. LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER
CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL,
DISGRACE, AND THEIR CONCEPT
OF THE OTHER. WHO IS THE
OTHER IN THE NOVEL?
3. COMPARE AN INDIVIDUALISTIC
APPROACH TO THE AFRICAN
PHILOSOPHY OF UBUNTU
LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE CHARACTER OF DAVID LURIE AND
HOW HE MAY HAVE AN EXISTENTIALISM OUTLOOK ON LIFE
• Existentialism is a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the person's existence
as a free and responsible agent determining their development through acts of the will.
This states that an individual are responsible for creating their interpretation and
justifications in life, rather than relying on external factors like religion or societal norms.
• According to Marais (2000), existentialism reflects a lot in Lurie's journey to understanding

himself and accepting the results of his actions. His experiences make him realize the
importance of finding meaning in a world that doesn't care about his problems.
• Lurie's incident with Melanie and his self-consciousness afterward reflects on the idea of
him taking responsibility for his actions. He has to deal with the consequences of his
choices and tries to understand himself better throughout the novel. This shows the
struggle to find meaning in a world without clear rules.
• His interactions with people different from him, especially those outside his usual social
circle, also highlight existentialism. These encounters challenge his beliefs and force him to
think about who he is. Ultimately, he learns more about himself and his place in the world.
LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL,
DISGRACE, AND THEIR CONCEPT OF THE OTHER. WHO IS THE
OTHER IN THE NOVEL?
• According to Nooteboom (2012:162-184) "the Other" is perceived as any
individual or entity beyond the self, highlighting the self's inherent
responsibility towards others. This responsibility entails a willingness
to surrender and endure suffering, even at the expense of the self's
own interests, in order to uphold an ideal code of conduct.
• Lucy and Melanie, both victims of sexual harassment and assault, may
perceive "the Other" as the male perpetrators who wield power over
them. Petrus, on the other hand, might view David Lurie and Lucy as
"the Other" due to racial or societal status differences. As an advocate
for animals, Bev Shaw likely sees individuals who show cruelty towards
animals as "the Other." Each character's understanding of "the Other"
is shaped by their own experiences.
LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL,
DISGRACE, AND THEIR CONCEPT OF THE OTHER. WHO IS THE
OTHER IN THE NOVEL?
• Disgrace by JM Coetzee is written in the first person perspective thus
we can assume that “the Other” in the novel that they are referring to
might be based on Lurie’s perspective and experiences. Lurie might
view “the Other” as women, or specifically Melanie Isaacs and Lucy,
who are victims of sexual harassment and assault. Throughout the
novel, Lurie experiences difficulty in understanding women. Lurie's
inability to relate and emphasize with women's experiences portrays
the existence of gender inequalities and power structures within
society. For example, Lurie finds it challenging to connect with Lucy and
is unable to compel her to confide in him about the incident. Lurie
senses an obligation to prioritize Melanie's future over his own career
as a professor, rather than acting on behalf of the interests of the Self.
COMPARE AN INDIVIDUALISTIC APPROACH TO THE AFRICAN
PHILOSOPHY OF UBUNTU.
Ubuntu
• Another name for ubuntu= humanness
• Ubuntu (a Zulu word) serves as the spiritual foundation of African societies. It is a worldview enshrined in the Zulu maxim "a person is a person through
other persons" (Shutte, 1993:46)
• Ubuntu inspires us to let others see us for who we are, to encounter the difference of our humanness so as to inform and enrich us (cf. Sidane, 1994:8-
9). Thus understood as: "To be human is to affirm one's humanity by recognising the humanity of others in its infinite variety of content and form" (Van
der Merwe, 1996:1). In other words be yourself, learn to know the people around you and become truly human as one.
• "A human being is a human being through (the otherness of) other human beings" (Van der Merwe, 1996:1) For post-apartheid South Africans of all
colours, creeds and cultures, Ubuntu dictates that, if we were to be human, we need to recognise the genuine otherness of our fellow citizens.
• Ubuntu defines the individual in terms of his/her relationship with others (Shutte, 1993:46). meaning that individualism in ubuntu only exists in the
relationship with other.
• It is described as “a form of humanism which could engender communal embeddedness and connectedness of a person to other person” (Waghid,
2004:129).
COMPARE AN INDIVIDUALISTIC APPROACH TO THE AFRICAN
PHILOSOPHY OF UBUNTU
Individualism:
• Individualism, political and social philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. (Lukes, 2024)
It can range vastly from isolating yourself as a being where you truly are alone even when you are surrounded by people to
simply believing in yourself wholeheartedly. (Lukes, 2024)
• Tend to equate individualism with narcissism and selfishness. (Lukes, 2024)
• Westernised theory
• Its fundamental assumption is the conception of the individual as an isolated entity separated from its own environment, living
as a self -sufficient being. (Soares, 2018)
• Actions of individual agents, you and you alone make choices regarding your life, goals, and actions. (Soares, 2018)
• In making a judgement, the individual would no longer depend on his/her social stratum but on realisation of his/her self-
fulfilment. (Soares, 2018)
Set out to achieve self--realisation in the world. (Soares, 2018)
REFERENCE LIST
Lukes, S. M. 2024. Individualism: politics and philosophy. Individualism | Definition, History, Philosophy, Examples, & Facts |
Britannica
Shutte, A. 1993. Philosophy for Africa. Rondebosch, South Africa: UCT Press.
Sindane, J. 1994. Ubuntu and nation building. Pretoria: Ubuntu School of Philosophy.
Soares, C. 2018. The Philosophy of Individualism: A Critical Perspective (PDF) The Philosophy of Individualism: A Critical
Perspective (researchgate.net)
Van der Merwe, W. L. 1996. Philosophy and the multi-cultural context of (post)apartheid South Africa, Ethical perspectives 3:2, 1-
15.
Waghid, Y. 2004. African Philosophy of Education: Implications for Teaching and Learning. South African Journal of Higher
Education. Waghid Y 2004 African philosophy of education - African philosophy of education: Implications for – Studocu
Marais, M. 2000. The possibility of ethical action: JM Coetzee’s Disgrace, Scrutiny2, 5 (1):57- 63. DOI: 10.1080/18125440008565955
Nooteboom, B. 2012. Levinas: Philosophy of the Other. Beyond Humanism. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230371019_8 Date of access: 16
Mar. 2024

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EXISTENTIALISM

CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL

1. LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE

• According to Marais (2000), existentialism reflects a lot in Lurie's journey to understanding

• Another name for ubuntu= humanness

• Tend to equate individualism with narcissism and selfishness. (Lukes, 2024)

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