How Existentialist Thought Explains Humanity's Search for Meaning in Life

      Hi, today I want to share a topic about "How Existentialist Thought Explains Humanity's Search for Meaning in Life", The main reason why I chose this topic is because many people have lost their existential values, this is very dangerous for some people who want to live longer, To combat existential emptiness, humans must begin to limit their focus and start doing things they have always liked but often avoided. Existentialist thought explains that the search for meaning in human life is not something given or predetermined. Instead, the meaning of life is something that must be created by the individual themselves through their choices, actions, and responsibilities, For your information: Existentialism rejects the idea that there is a universal purpose in life or an innate essence that defines humans before their existence. Therefore, for existentialists, humans are born "empty" and must fill that void with their own meaning.

Key Concepts in Existentialism

1. Existence Precedes Essence

This is a core concept of existentialism popularized by Jean-Paul Sartre. This means that human existence comes before their essence. Unlike objects, whose essence (for example, the function of a knife) is predetermined before they are created, humans do not have a predetermined essence.  They are born without a predetermined purpose, and their task is to define themselves through their lives.

2. Absolute Freedom and Responsibility

Because humans do not have a predetermined essence, they have absolute freedom of choice. This freedom extends beyond small, everyday choices to the fundamental choices that shape who one is.

However, this freedom comes with a tremendous burden: responsibility. Every choice made, good or bad, is entirely the individual's responsibility. There is no longer a God, fate, or social norms to blame. This burden often triggers existential anxiety—a sense of fear and restlessness that arises from the realization of the inevitability of freedom and responsibility.

3. Absurdity and Rebellion

Existentialists like Albert Camus argued that life is absurd. This means there is a discrepancy between the human desire to find meaning and the silence of the universe, which offers no answers. However, this absurdity should not lead to despair. Instead, rebellion against it is a way to create meaning. Individuals must continue to search, act, and live life passionately, even though they know that, ultimately, none of it has any inherent meaning.

4. Authenticity and Inauthenticity

Living authentically means living in harmony with one's own choices and beliefs, rather than simply following the norms or expectations of others. This is a way to fully embrace freedom and responsibility. Conversely, living inauthentically or "bad faith" (mauvaise foi) occurs when a person deceives themselves, pretending they lack freedom or blaming external factors for their choices.

How Do Humans Seek Meaning in Life?

According to existentialism, humans seek meaning in life by:

* Creating personal values: Individuals must determine what is valuable to them, rather than adopting values from outside.

* Taking action: Meaning is not found in passive contemplation, but in concrete actions that shape the self and the world.

* Facing anxiety: Acknowledging and accepting the anxiety that comes with freedom is a crucial step in living authentically.

* Living life to the full: Even in the face of absurdity, humans must continue to live life with passion, enthusiasm, and commitment.