I hear people say they’re having an “existential crisis”, but can never fully grasp what that means. Or, that Jean-Paul Satre was an “existential writer.” What makes him so?
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True. Or at times when feeling lost, unsure, no idea what to do with my life. I call it an “existential crisis.”
Existentialism and having an existential crisis are nearly opposites. An existential crisis occurs in a time period where an individual questions their role in life and purpose. Existentialism is the philosophy that an individual gets to dictate their purpose in life, having no pre-designated fate or role.
In a nutshell, existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. Basically, it says that all there is is the human experience, and doesn’t put stock in ‘mystical’ answers to philosophical questions.
To that end, an existential crisis is when a human actor realizes the above statement to be true – that there is no “overseer” of the universe and that one day, they will die and all of their achievements will become dust. That is a tough pill to swallow for many, hence the “crisis” part.
Pondering ones existence. Feeling that ones life is meaningless, or that the work one does for employment is meaningless etc…
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