#EXISTENTIAL PHILOSOPHY

[sanders1665]

The Man Who Asked Why

In the quiet corner of the café, he sat alone, a cup of coffee cooling slowly in his hand. He didn’t look at the others bustling about, didn’t try to overhear their conversations or wonder about their lives. His focus was turned inward, as always, his thoughts weaving intricate patterns that no one else could see.

Why do we exist? The question echoed in his mind, as it often did. It wasn’t a cry of despair or frustration, but a genuine curiosity, a need to understand the infinite complexities of existence. Why this body? Why this mind? Why this life?

He took a slow sip of coffee and let his gaze wander to the window, where sunlight danced on the glass. Every time he asked himself these questions, it felt like peeling back a layer, only to find another question waiting beneath. Why does this mind—my mind—exist in this body? Why these memories, this experience, this set of beliefs?

Some would call it overthinking, but to him, it was exploration. The world outside might hold endless places to discover, but the world inside was just as vast, just as mysterious.

He often wondered if other people thought this way, if they stopped to ponder why their consciousness was tethered to their particular form, their particular life. Was it random, or was there a reason? Was he here because of chance, or was his existence part of some vast, unknowable design?

He wasn’t sure what drove these questions. Maybe it was the same curiosity that made him study the behavior of strangers or laugh quietly at the oddities of human interaction. Why do we behave the way we do? Why do we cling to certain patterns, certain fears, certain hopes?

He leaned back in his chair, the faint creak of wood grounding him momentarily in the present. It was strange, really, to feel so deeply rooted in his own body and yet so detached from it, as if his mind were something separate, something that observed this life from the outside.

Perhaps that was the heart of it: the paradox of being human. To feel infinite within the confines of flesh. To carry a lifetime of memories and beliefs inside a fragile shell. To wonder about the universe while knowing you’re only a fleeting speck within it.

He smiled to himself, a small, wry curve of his lips. He’d never find the answers, of course. He wasn’t sure he even wanted to. The questions were enough—beautiful in their mystery, comforting in their constancy.

The world outside the café continued on, oblivious to his musings. But he didn’t mind. In the quiet of his own mind, he had all the company he needed.

[noosphe-re]

The courage to be in all its forms has, by itself, revelatory character. It shows the nature of being, it shows that the self-affirmation of being is an affirmation that overcomes negation. In a metaphorical statement (and every assertion about being-itself is either metaphorical or symbolic) one could say that being includes nonbeing but nonbeing does not prevail against it. "Including" is a spatial metaphor which indicates that being embraces itself and that which is opposed to it, nonbeing. Nonbeing belongs to being, it cannot be separated from it. We could not even think "being" without a double negation: being must be thought as the negation of the negation of being.

Paul Tillich, The Courage to Be

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Dasein

The philosophy of Dasein is central to Martin Heidegger’s existential ontology, particularly in his influential work Being and Time (Sein und Zeit, 1927). Dasein, a German word often translated as "being-there" or "presence," refers to the unique way humans exist in the world. For Heidegger, Dasein is not just a synonym for human beings but describes the distinctive nature of human existence as an open, self-interpreting, and situated experience. Heidegger explores how Dasein’s nature as "being-in-the-world" involves a complex relationship with the world, others, and oneself.

Key Themes in Dasein Philosophy

Being-in-the-World: Dasein is fundamentally "in" the world, not as an object separate from it but as an active, engaged participant. This concept challenges traditional subject-object distinctions and emphasizes that human existence cannot be understood independently of the world and the context in which it finds itself.

Care (Sorge): For Heidegger, Dasein’s fundamental mode of being is care, which encompasses concern for both one's own life and the world around. This "care structure" is essential to Dasein, meaning humans inherently relate to their own potential and the world with care, responsibility, and involvement.

Being-toward-Death: Dasein has an awareness of its own finitude, making death a unique part of human existence. Heidegger argues that by confronting mortality, Dasein can live authentically, realizing the significance of its actions and decisions in the light of its temporal limitations.

Authenticity and Inauthenticity: Authenticity in Heidegger’s philosophy means fully realizing one's individual potential rather than conforming to societal norms or living according to the expectations of the "they" (das Man), which represents a collective, impersonal sense of being. Inauthenticity is the condition of simply going along with others, losing oneself in roles and societal pressures without making conscious, self-directed choices.

Thrownness (Geworfenheit): Heidegger describes Dasein as "thrown" into the world—into a particular time, place, culture, and set of circumstances it did not choose. This sense of thrownness highlights the constraints and givens that shape individual existence, which each person must confront and make sense of.

Understanding and Interpretation: Dasein constantly interprets itself and its world. Understanding is an interpretive act by which Dasein makes sense of its possibilities, world, and experiences. Heidegger sees interpretation as inherently part of what it means to exist, where self-knowledge is achieved not as static knowledge but as ongoing interpretation.

Temporality: Heidegger considers Dasein's existence as inherently temporal, unfolding through time and defined by past, present, and future. Temporality is central to Heidegger's analysis of Dasein, as understanding oneself and the world is a process that evolves and is influenced by the temporal flow of existence.

Philosophical Implications of Dasein

Existential Understanding of Self: Dasein redefines the self not as a static substance or identity but as an ongoing process of being. This perspective encourages individuals to see their identities as dynamic, shaped by choices, relationships, and the contexts in which they find themselves.

Ontology of "Being": Heidegger's inquiry into Dasein is ultimately a way to ask the question of Being itself: what it means "to be." By studying Dasein, Heidegger aims to reach a deeper understanding of Being as it applies to all entities, rather than just human beings.

Influence on Existentialism and Phenomenology: Heidegger’s concept of Dasein influenced existential philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, as well as the field of phenomenology, by presenting human existence as a fundamental, relational process rather than a detached, objective observer.

Ethical and Existential Responsibility: The philosophy of Dasein suggests that each person is responsible for living their life with awareness, authenticity, and acknowledgment of their own finitude. By becoming aware of the ways we are influenced by society, culture, and others, we can make more conscious choices and live in ways that are true to our own potential.

Influence on Psychology and Therapy: Dasein has also impacted existential psychology and psychotherapy, where understanding one's "being-in-the-world" is seen as key to personal growth, authenticity, and self-acceptance. Therapies that focus on existential themes often address the implications of death, freedom, and responsibility.

Critique of Modernity: Heidegger’s Dasein also reflects a critique of modern, technological societies, which he felt alienated people from more profound, meaningful ways of being. By focusing on efficiency, production, and standardized roles, modern life often pulls Dasein away from authentic existence, prompting Heidegger’s reflections on technology’s impact on human life.

[philosofra]

The illusion of perfection: social media's impact on identity

Social media plays a big role in our lives. It has become almost impossible to live without it. But our constant interaction with online platforms hinders our perception of ourselves and impacts our identity. Social media is not necessarily a bad thing: the endless amounts of information at our fingertips, our ability to share ideas and connect with people around the world is extraordinary. But…

[epicstoriestime]

Friedrich Nietzsche: The Price of Unyielding Truth

Friedrich Nietzsche’s quest for truth led him to profound philosophical revelations, yet his intellectual isolation became a source of personal turmoil. The Relentless Pursuit of Philosophy and Its Unseen Cost In the labyrinth of human thought, few figures stand as boldly as Friedrich Nietzsche. His insatiable hunger for truth and understanding led him down a path of profound philosophical…

[gyrrakavian]

Does this count as leaning on the 4th wall?

[pitch-and-moan]

Bugs/Daffy

A Looney Tunes version of Soren Kierkegaard's Either/Or.

[turiyatitta]

Embracing the Absolute

Understanding the Unity of ExistenceIn the grand tapestry of existence, there exists a profound and often overlooked truth: all is the absolute. This statement, deceptively simple, unravels layers of deep philosophical understanding about our universe and our place within it. The concept of the absolute refers to the ultimate reality, a state of being that transcends the ordinary distinctions and…

[unofficialchronicle]

EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM IN RESPONSIBILITY

“With no higher tribunal for evaluating reasons for acting, we are entirely responsible for what we do: we have 'no excuses behind us nor justifications before us'. Existentialists generally hold that we are not only responsible for the direction our own lives take, but also for the way the world around us appears.”

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“Existentialists regard facticity as only one aspect of human existence, for they hold that humans always have the ability to transcend their given situation by taking a stand on their own lives.”

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“Even in my habitual and seemingly ‘automatic’ actions I am actually assuming a particular identity for myself through my own free choices, and am therefore responsible for what I do.”

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“Nietzsche holds that reality is accessible to us only through some ‘perspective’ or other, that there is no way to get in touch with reality as it is in itself, independent of any point of view or framework of interpretation.” What is your framework/perspective? Does it serve you, or sabotage you?

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���Sartre takes this account of constitution to mean that, because I shape the world around me through my meaning-giving activity, I am ultimately responsible for the way the world presents itself to me in my experience. Thus if I have had some painful experiences as a child, it is up to me to decide what these mean to me. I can use them as an excuse for going through life feeling cheated, or regard them as challenges that will make me stronger. Sartre’s point is not that there are no constraints on the ways I interpret my situation, but that constraints and obstacles gain their meaning from me, and since there are indefinitely many possible meanings any situation can have, there is no way to identify any supposedly ‘hard’ facts that could be said to compel me to see things one way rather than another. But this means, according to Sartre, that in choosing my interpretation of myself, I simultaneously choose the world.” IN CHOOSING MY INTERPRETATION OF MYSELF, I CHOOSE MY WORLD. 

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“Both Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty work towards a notion of ‘situated freedom’ according to which choice is always embedded in and dependent upon the meaningful choices disclosed by a specific social and historical situation. Beauvoir tries to show how institutions and social practices can cut off the choices open to women and oppressed groups. Finally, Nietzsche calls attention to the way biological and historical factors operate ‘behind our backs,’ influencing our decisions without our awareness. But even when such limitations are recognized, the belief that we can rise above our situations to be ‘creators’ remains fundamental to existentialist thought.” Oppression, suppression, and trauma is real. AND you have power and agency. 

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source: https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/existentialism/v-1/sections/freedom-and-responsibility#:~:text=With%20no%20higher%20tribunal%20for,the%20world%20around%20us%20appears.

IN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY THERE IS FREEDOM

[demon-girl-izalith]

Some people become stuck with this Cartesian view of reality, of animals and of the philosophy of mind. I choose to see reality as being meaning-laden,or perhaps moreso as being capable of building meaning and relationships at differing levels. Every individual bit of matter or energy has it's own little "life", and when you get large groups of these things together they get even more lively, they become atoms, then proteins, then cells, then organisms. And these things can form relationships of all levels of complexity and that's beautiful. They evolve and feel, maybe the feel pain or hunger or maybe they just exhibit attraction or charge, but when they get "lively " enough they also take comfort in becoming and in existing. I'd even like to believe that all things find aesthetic "love" in that, not just animals.

I think the view that humans and animals or even reality is just some automaton running on cosmic gears clunking along is outdated at best, and harmful at worst. Maybe being a dualist who ascribes clockwork to the cosmos and automaton minds to animals made sense in the past, but I'm not even sure if it did then either... Life is more complicated than that. We have literature and philosophy, we have relationships of all kinds. Maybe in the mere fact of existing in itself everything automatically builds it's own meaning, maybe by becoming and living we are that meaning, and maybe the minds of even the smallest creatures are capable of becoming in their own ways too? Who are we to draw the line at mammal or vertebrae? Why must humans be the only ones capable of making meaning and experiencing some kind of love? I'd like to think that's what everything is doing at some level.

Sure you can scoff at my soft panpsychist cosmology if you want, but to me it is the most valid and elegant solution to not only the problem of mind, but also the problem of nihilism, and so is personally fulfilling to see love as a process of building and creating meaning by existing and making things exist. And I think all creatures and things, from spiders to jellyfish to people are able to create and make meaning.

In short- yeah, I think my weird pet jellyfish can love me back in its own way. And if you disagree I'll chock that up to a lack of creativity, or perhaps meaning, in your own life.

[sanders1665]

Haunted Reckoning

Why do I dream in tangled threads,

these wretched echoes of the past?

Why do strange places claw at me,

why do ageless faces leer?

What do they want—release? Forgiveness?

I owe them nothing!

Ghosts can’t hurt me,

but the living—oh, they’ve done their worst.

Still, these shadows rise,

dragging their filthy chains,

scratching at my mind like vermin.

I would let them rot in their graves,

but no—they wake, they snarl,

they bare their fangs as if I called them.

What do you want from me?

I’ve bled enough. I’ve burned for my sins.

Don’t tell me this is my soul

trying to speak.

What does it know of my torment?

It whispers in riddles,

a coward hiding behind symbols and dreams.

Yes, I have wronged!

And yes, I’ve been wronged!

But must I be dragged again and again

through this endless pit of regret?

Isn’t it enough that I claw my way forward,

that I fight every goddamn day

to do what’s right?

Tell me, ghosts of my failures,

is this your justice? Is this your revenge?

If you think you can break me,

you’ve underestimated the fire in my veins.

I will not kneel before the past.

I will tear through it,

splinter it to dust,

and leave your snarling faces behind.

[raffaellopalandri]

The Alchemy of Rational Discipline: Cultivating Resilience and Peace Through Multivalent Traditions

This deceptively simple sentence contains a multi-dimensional programme for the transformation of the self. The Stoic Buddha, by Raffaello Palandri Rational analysis, mindfulness, and discipline constitute the threefold architecture of conscious living, offering the practitioner sovereignty over emotional reactivity, a pathway to equanimity, and a refined capacity to engage with stress as a…

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Occhiolism

Occhiolism is a neologism—coined by John Koenig in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows—that refers to the awareness of the smallness of one’s perspective in the vastness of the universe. Though not a formal philosophical doctrine, occhiolism raises deep existential, epistemological, and metaphysical questions that overlap with many areas of philosophy.

Core Themes in the Philosophy of Occhiolism:

1. Epistemic Humility Occhiolism encourages a sense of humility about what we can truly know. Our vantage point is infinitesimal, both in space and time, and our understanding is shaped by limited cognitive, cultural, and perceptual tools. This resonates with:

Skepticism, which questions the possibility of certain knowledge.

Phenomenology, which explores how our subjective experience constrains our grasp of reality.

Postmodernism, which challenges totalizing narratives and embraces fragmentation.

2. Cosmic Perspective Occhiolism echoes themes from cosmic nihilism and existentialism, emphasizing the overwhelming scale of the universe in contrast to individual human lives. The feeling it inspires is akin to what Carl Sagan described in the “Pale Blue Dot” – a simultaneous awe and insignificance.

3. Ontological Modesty Occhiolism suggests that no single view of reality is complete. It points to a layered and pluralistic ontology, where human categories are just one way of slicing the real. This idea aligns with metaphysical pluralism and perspectivism, the latter notably explored by Nietzsche.

4. Existential Vulnerability Realizing how small our perspective is can lead to ontological anxiety or angst, a theme explored by Heidegger and Kierkegaard. This confrontation with the unknown or unknowable can either paralyze or liberate, depending on how one integrates it into their worldview.

5. Wonder and Reverence Despite its disorienting nature, occhiolism can foster a renewed appreciation for life, complexity, and the interconnectedness of things. It may lead to an ethical stance rooted in care and respect—not from power or dominance, but from a deep awareness of interdependence and fragility.

[badbrainsfan]

👹🔫

[soapdispensersalesman]

"Hell is other people" - Joseph Garcin

[pitch-and-moan]

Repet... Repet... Repet... Repetition

A Looney Tunes adaptation of Soren Kierkegaard's Repetition, as narrated by Porky Pig.