Existential Living: Exploring the Impact of Existentialism on Everyday Life
Abstract
Existentialism is a philosophical approach to life that emphasizes the importance of individual choice and personal responsibility. This paper examines the impact of existentialism on everyday living, focusing on how it affects how individuals view themselves, their relationships, and their decisions. By considering the implications of existentialism, this paper seeks to explore how it can help individuals to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Introduction
Existentialism is a philosophical approach to life that emphasizes the importance of individual choice and personal responsibility. It is based on the belief that individuals are ultimately alone in the universe and must make their own choices without external guidance. This paper seeks to explore how existentialism can be used to guide everyday living, focusing on how it affects how individuals view themselves, their relationships, and their decisions. By considering the implications of existentialism, this paper seeks to explore how it can help individuals to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Body
The concept of existentialism has a long history, with its roots in the works of philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Friedrich Nietzsche (Drengson, 2013). At its core, existentialism is the belief that individuals are ultimately alone in the universe and must make their own choices without external guidance. This can be seen in Sartre’s famous statement: “existence precedes essence” (1946). This means that individuals create their own meaning and purpose in life and are responsible for their own choices and actions.
Existentialism can have a profound impact on how individuals view themselves and their relationships. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and encourages individuals to recognize that they are the only ones who can truly determine their destiny. This can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and self-confidence, as well as a more meaningful appreciation of relationships with others (Sexton, 2018).
Existentialism can also have a profound impact on decision-making. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their choices and to be mindful of the consequences of their actions. This can lead to more thoughtful and deliberate decision-making, as individuals are encouraged to think deeply about the implications of their choices and consider the long-term effects of their decisions (Drengson, 2013).
Conclusion
Existentialism is a philosophical approach to life that emphasizes the importance of individual choice and personal responsibility. This paper has explored how existentialism can be used to guide everyday living, focusing on how it affects how individuals view themselves, their relationships, and their decisions. By considering the implications of existentialism, this paper has sought to explore how it can help individuals to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
References
Drengson, A. (2013). Existentialism and environmental ethics. Environmental Values, 22(3), 285-305.
Sartre, J.P. (1946). Existentialism is a humanism. Retrieved from https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/sartre/works/exist/sartre.htm
Sexton, L. (2018). Existentialism and everyday life. The Philosophers’ Magazine, 64, 56-61.