Criticism Of Martin Heidegan's Blade Runner: Existentialism

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One of the most important existentialist to ever live was a man named Søren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard believed that “truth is subjective and subjectivity is truth,” meaning that a variety of people can look at the same exact situation, and still comprehend it differently. Another well known existentialist is a man named Martin Heidegger. Heidegger believed that there are two types of people in this world, those who are a “Beings In The World” and those who are “Beings Towards Death” Their ideas are seen throughout the movie "Blade Runner" numerous times. Blade Runner is set in the year 2019, during a time where Los Angeles has become engulfed in urban decay, depression and darkness. In the beginning of the film we are introduced to Rick Deckard, …show more content…

During his visit he also meets Tyrell’s personal assistant, Rachael. Deckard asks Rachael numerous specified questions that ultimately alerts him that she is a replicant. Deckard expresses his surprised to Tyrell and asks him why she doesn't know that she's a Nexus-6. Tyrell then explains that she has had memories from his various family members planted inside of her mind and that he believes that she has been suspecting such. It is not until she confronts Deckard about her suspicions that she is faced with the heartbreaking truth. After learning the truth of herself, she accepts her condition and continues to live life the way she sees fit. Another instance when Kierkegaard’s ideas are demonstrated is when Deckard begins to fall in love with Rachael, which ultimately complicates his feelings about slaughtering other replicants. Being that Deckard is a blade runner it is his duty to "retire" any replicate that he comes into contact with. After he initially comes into contact with Rachael his outlook on replicants start to shift. One prominent moment is when she saved him from Leon, this caused him to be much more sympathetic towards her. As a result, when she asks him if he would retire her, he tells her he wouldn't, but someone else surely …show more content…

Throughout the movie, Roy and the other replicants try to find a way to avoid their terrible fate. As Roy and Deckard fight at the end of the movie, Roy he feels his body beginning to degrade. Roy also realizes that no matter what he does to Deckard, he will not be able to change the fact that he is going to die. As he decides to accept his fate it is clear that he doesn't want to be alone in his final moments. All he wants is someone to be there to remember him, so that his memory can live on even though his own memories "will be lost in time like tears in rain". This story reflects the ideas of both the Danish Søren Kierkegaard and the German philosopher Martin Heidegger. Kierkegaard believed “truth is subjective and subjectivity is truth” which can be seen when both Deckard and Rachael have to come to terms with their new found “truths and subjectivity”. Throughout the story the character Roy shows significant signs of a transition from being a “Being In The World” to “Being Toward Death”. He does so when he finally coming to terms with his own mortality and, in his final moments, accepts it instead of continuing to fight against

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