Existentialism: Dealing with Life’s Fundamental Questions

Existentialism: Dealing with Life’s Fundamental Questions

Blog Article

Existentialism is one of the most thought-provoking and influential philosophical movements of the 20th century. It explores the most fundamental of life’s enquiries: What does it mean to exist? How do we find purpose in an indifferent universe? Thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Camus have investigated these deep questions, providing us with valuable insights into how we can understand the struggles of human life in a world without inherent value.

At the heart of existentialist thought is the idea that we are born without inherent meaning. This means that we are born without any predefined meaning, and it is up to us to find our own purpose. As Sartre put it, “We are condemned to be free,” suggesting that while we have the ultimate philosophy freedom to determine our path, this freedom also comes with the challenge of responsibility. For some, this is an intimidating idea, but for those who follow existentialist thought, it’s an opportunity to face life's struggles and live authentically, without being constrained by societal expectations.

Existentialist thought invites us to take ownership of our choices, to face life’s absurdities with courage, and to create significance in the things we pursue, whether it’s through creativity, relationships, or simply the process of existence. While life may not have a larger, inherent meaning, existential thought reminds us that we have the power to craft our own significance. And in doing so, we can achieve deeply meaningful lives, even in the face of life’s challenges.