Final answer:
The humanistic-existential approach's disadvantages include the psychological distress from extreme notions of freedom, existential isolation, overwhelming responsibility for choices, and lack of guidance in real-world situations due to its emphasis on subjective experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disadvantages of the humanistic-existential approach include its possible impact on individuals who take the concept of radical freedom to extremes. This perspective can lead to overwhelming feelings, as the existentialists themselves reported feeling disturbed and even physically ill when contemplating the full implications of human freedom. As expressed by existentialists and highlighted in the thoughts of philosophers like Jean Paul Sartre, the responsibility that comes with radical freedom can provoke a profound sense of distress, described poetically as "fear and trembling", "sickness unto death", and even "nausea".
Another criticism stems from the notion that if freedom is our defining characteristic, this can lead to an acute feeling of isolation and an overwhelming sense of responsibility for every choice one makes. Furthermore, the denial of prior ethical theories by feminist theoreticians, suggests that existential perspectives may also falter due to potential biases and lack of universal applicability.
While the idea of humans inherently possessing freedom can be empowering, it can simultaneously impose a tremendous psychological burden. Moreover, the immense focus on personal experience and subjective interpretation can result in a relative lack of actionable guidance in concrete situations, making it difficult to establish a collective ethical framework that helps navigate socio-political challenges.