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So, I'm back. I just really have to say something. I do.
Existentialism isn't the same thing as nihilism! I'm not depressed and suicidal, so please stop asking me if I am. So, have some ranting about existentialism, from someone who at least mostly believes in it. I guess I'm not 100% existentialist, but I'll do for now. ps I use female pronouns to refer to generic individuals a lot. Too many authors do the reverse.
Existentialism is not a defeatist, suicidal philosophy, which is how so many people view it. If you'll listen, you'll see it's actually a life-affirming, individuality-affirming one. Which is good! Yes, we do believe that there is not inherent meaning in life. No meaning, no truths are given to us, are absolute, are definite. However, the absence of a defined and universal truth or meaning does not mean that we can't ever have any. Create your own truth, as you are an individual with your own perceptions, your own feelings. Create your meaning in an otherwise meaningless world. No one can do this for you. It is your personal meaning, you have your own that is not defined by anyone else. About society, it can only hamper you from finding yourself. Society and the pursuit of intrinsically worthless things like money or possessions are not how you will make yourself a more complete person, which, to reiterate, can only come from within yourself. You are your own master. The world does not and cannot define you as you. Predefined belief systems cannot tell you the real truth for you as yourself, since there really is no absolute truth for all mankind. There is a truth for you, a reality and meaning for you based off who you are and believe yourself to be, your perceptions. Everything must start with the individual. Every thought, truth, meaning, or belief is all from her. We can't fall back on morals or even on science to understand her. We need to focus on her and who she is as a person to comprehend her.
I realise I've only barely scratched the surface of this philosophy. If you have more specific questions, please ask me, and if you'd like to read more, I can recommend you some books. Please ask. Really.
By the way, yes, there are some things that are just true, like cells being from cells, like the fact we breathe in air, like protons and neutrons and elections, like the product of a chemical reaction. Your reality is just as valid and true as everyone else's. okay, that's all from me. I'll shut up <3
Victor Trevor · Sun Dec 23, 2012 @ 12:53am · 0 Comments |
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