Existentialism
Introduction
Existentialism might be described not so much as a philosophy as much as a coping mechanism in the face of nihilism. Once the possibility of certain knowledge of truth is ruled out, that is, we can never really know the truth, then we are trapped in uncertainties at every hand. There is no possibility of meaning for life, except as the individual chooses for himself or herself. 
Existentialists may be theists (see Theistic Existentialism), but they conclude that human reason cannot lead them to certainty that God exists or that he can be known through nature, history, or logical "proofs." Belief in God is a "blind leap of faith," a terrifying but life-defining experience comparable to Abraham's willingness to offer his own son in demonstration of his ultimate faith. This earliest form of existentialism is traceable to Soren Kierkegaard.
More commonly today, existentialism is the response to nihilism's dismissal of belief in anything. Atheistic existentialism also prioritizes the importance of the individual, alone, alienated, facing directly his or her own futility and mortality. Yet this individual courageously makes a life-defining choice to live for some cause or ideal beyond the self. Though in the end, death ultimately erases all human accomplishments, it is the making of this choice that will define the individual's existence (hence the term existentialism).
Metaphysics
Belief about God
Does God exist?
No, in keeping with all forms of atheism, the concept of any divine power is rejected.
How do you describe God?
There is no one or nothing to be described.
Is there any kind of spirit world?
No, only the physical is real, or appears to us as if it is real.
Belief about the world
Is there an overall plan or order behind nature?
No intelligent being or force has designed or influences the real world of matter.
Belief about humanity
Are human beings different from the rest of nature?
No, but humans alone are self-conscious and can make self-determining decisions.
Where did we come from, and where are we going?
It is impossible to know our origin, and our destiny is death.
"Eye" M. C. Escher 1946
"You can think about death as much as you like, but it doesn't get you any further, and you go on with your daily activities, no matter how stupid and unimportant they may be."
(M. C. Escher, letter 14 Nov 1964; in J. L. Locher [ed], M. C. Escher: His Life & Complete Graphic Work {NY: Abradale, 1992}: 124)
Axiology
2.1 Beliefs about purpose
What is the overall purpose or meaning of humanity?
Humanity as a whole serves no purpose whatsoever, given that our origins and destiny are accidental, and both our past and our future are literallly nothingness.
Despite man's irrational desire for unity, for absolutes, for a definite order and meaning to the objective universe, no such meaning exists. It is this juxtaposition of the irrational, longing human heart and the indifferent universe that brings about the notion of the absurd. --Camus
What is the main purpose or highest good for each individual?
The best that any person can do is to face honestly the futility and insignificance of life and then to choose "authentically" to live for whatever otherwise meaningless and arbitrary values(s) s/he wants.
"Whatever you choose to do is insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." --bumper sticker
Belief about ethics
How does one decide right and wrong?
- There is no ultimate "right" and "wrong." It doesn't really make any difference what you do. Since the only ultimate reality is the nothingness of death, any activity in the nothingness of life is meaningless.
- "Right" means making choices and then living consistently (even sacrificially) for them.
- "Wrong" consists of not making these choices. Of course, it doesn't matter if you do choose "right" or "wrong," since life is meaningless and death is certain and final.
Epistemology
Is it possible for humans to know truth?
No, "truth" doesn't matter, as it has no bearing on the outcome of life. Even if there were such a thing as truth, we can't know if we can know it.
What are legitimate sources of truth?
There are none.
HYBRIDS: theistic existentialism (neo-orthodoxy: Kierkegaard, Barth), emphasis on experience over knowledge ... "Why ask why?"
Further Resources |
[+] Christopher Scott Wyatt has authored an excellent website which discusses both theistic and atheistic existentialism, identifying all of the major proponents. It is easily the most informative site available. The following is a short except from his work, Existentialism: A Primer.
Despite encompassing a staggering range of philosphical, religious, and political ideologies, the underlying concepts of existentialism are simple:
- Mankind has free will.
- Life is a series of choices, creating stress.
- Few decisions are without any negative consequences.
- Some things are irrational or absurd, without explanation.
- If one makes a decision, he or she must follow through.
Existentialist Graffiti
I am hoping very soon to have something to hope for.
Nothing really matters except a few things that really don't matter very much.
The reasons for my existence have not yet been established . . . but investigation is continuing.
Slowly but surely, I'm getting nowhere.
My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot.
Live life as you may-you'll never live through it.
Sometimes life is such a beautiful road . . . I almost stop wondering where it leads.
L I F E has a big "I F" in the middle of it.
No, life isn't what I wanted-haven't you got anything else?
I need you to help me enjoy my loneliness.
Violence has no place in America! Anyone who preaches violence should be shot like a dog!
Take away the life lie from the average man, and you take away his happiness.
The man wanted the dream, now the dream will govern the man.
In the dark
I
light a match
and watch it
fight
for existence
but
it will never win
and i again
sit in darkness
Only 85 shopping days left till the end of the world.
Other Quotes
One thing I have no worry about is whether God exists. But it has occurred to me that God has Alzheimer's and has forgotten we exist. --Lily Tomlin, in Martin Marty Context 22/9 (5/1/90): 4
It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens. --Woody Allen
What do I have faith in? I guess I have faith in the power of distraction, that in the midst of this veil of tears there are things, a good book, a good movie, which can distract us from the situation in which we truly find ourselves. --Woody Allen
Man is absurd, but he must grimly act as if he were not. --Jean Paul Sartre
[The existentialist] is like a man adrift in a boat without rudder or compass, on an ocean that has no bounds. It makes no eventual difference what he does or which way he rows. But row he must. --Arthur F. Holmes, All Truth Is God's Truth: 3
[Life] can have just as much meaning as one is able to put into it. There is, indeed, no ground for thinking that human life in general serves any ulterior purpose but this is no bar to a man's finding satisfaction in many of the activities which make up his life, or to his attaching value to the ends which he pursues. --A. J. Ayer
