A Phenomenological Analysis of Existential Conscience in James Ivory’s (1993) The Remains of the Day

Abstract

This paper introduces a new idea into existential psychology through three successive critical readings. First, the author presents an existential critique of the psychoanalytic notions of the superego and conscience. Second, the author gives a Platonic reading of Martin Buber’s conception of existential guilt. Finally, the concept of existential conscience is introduced and illustrated through a phenomenological analysis of James Ivory’s (1993) award-winning film, The Remains of the Day