Existential angst, deeply embedded within existential philosophy, addresses the profound emotional responses humans have when grappling with life's inherent meaninglessness and the vastness of personal freedom. Such feelings surface when we confront our responsibilities, the transient nature of life, and the unsettling realisation that our existence might be devoid of any predetermined purpose.
Existentialism: A Comprehensive Insight
Existentialism is a philosophical stance emphasising the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent. It stresses personal freedom, choice, and responsibility in shaping one's destiny, often contrasting with determinism and essentialism.
Pioneers of Existential Thought
- Jean-Paul Sartre: A key figure, Sartre's philosophy revolved around the idea that "existence precedes essence". According to him, humans first exist and then, through their actions and choices, forge their own essence or nature.
- Albert Camus: Camus presented life as fundamentally absurd, highlighting the discrepancy between our quest for meaning and the apparent meaninglessness of the universe. His works often dealt with embracing the absurdity and creating subjective meaning.
- Friedrich Nietzsche: While not strictly classifying as an existentialist, Nietzsche's musings on nihilism, the "overman", and the "will to power" were foundational to later existentialist theories.
- Fyodor Dostoevsky: His literature, although not philosophical treatises, embody existential themes, particularly the tension between free will and faith.
Delving into Existential Angst
Existential angst is more than mere anxiety. It's the profound emotional turmoil arising from existential crises. This angst often encompasses:
- Dread: This relates to an overwhelming sense of apprehension or fear about what the future holds.
- Despair: Often manifesting as feelings of hopelessness or being trapped by certain circumstances or past decisions.
- Alienation: Feeling isolated from others, from the world, or even from oneself due to existential realisations.
- Awareness of mortality: The acute consciousness of our own transient existence, that death is inevitable.
Freedom: A Double-edged Sword
While freedom is typically celebrated, existentialists view it with a more nuanced lens, acknowledging the angst it can induce.
Absolute Freedom and its Consequences
- Humans, unbounded by any pre-established essence, find themselves free to determine who they are. Such absolute freedom can be overwhelming.
- Our every action, or the choice to abstain from action, contributes to our identity and destiny.
The Heavy Mantle of Responsibility
- The vast freedom existentialists speak of isn't without its burdens. Every choice, no matter how trivial, has consequences, and we alone bear the responsibility for these.
- This responsibility can be paralysing, especially when confronted with significant life choices.
Life's Absurd Nature
- A core idea, especially in Camus' works, is the inherent absurdity of life. Our relentless pursuit for meaning clashes jarringly with an apparently indifferent universe.
Navigating Existential Angst
Existentialism doesn't leave us in despair. It also offers pathways to navigate the angst and find meaning.
The Pursuit of Authenticity
- One antidote to angst is living authentically, acknowledging our freedom and the ensuing responsibilities.
- It involves acting in congruence with our beliefs and desires, unswayed by external societal pressures.
Crafting Personal Significance
- While existentialism suggests an objective meaninglessness, it also empowers individuals to create their own subjective significance through relationships, passions, and actions.
Finding Solace in Shared Experience
- The existential journey is intensely personal, but comfort can be found in shared human experiences.
- Engaging with existential literature, art, and dialogue can provide both solace and deeper understanding.
Scrutinising Existential Angst: Some Counterpoints
Existentialist themes, while profound, have faced their fair share of critique.
The Pitfall of Relativism
- A world governed by subjective meaning can lead to moral relativism. In such a world, can any action truly be deemed right or wrong?
Overemphasis on Individual Agency
- Some critics argue that existentialism, in its emphasis on individual freedom, may overlook structural and societal barriers that can impede genuine free choice.
The Reality of Existential Freedom
- The level of existential freedom described might not resonate with everyone. Social, economic, and other barriers might limit the sense of agency for many.
FAQ
Certainly, existential angst, while universal in some respects, can be heightened or shaped by specific cultural or historical contexts. Post-war eras, particularly after World War II, saw a surge in existentialist thought and literature. The sheer devastation, loss, and moral quandaries of such wars pushed individuals to question meaning, value, and the nature of existence itself. Similarly, societies undergoing rapid technological advancement or cultural upheaval might experience intensified feelings of alienation, another facet of existential angst, due to the rapid changes and perceived loss of traditional values or anchors of meaning.
Many religions offer narratives or frameworks to address the profound questions that underlie existential angst, such as the meaning of life, the nature of existence, and the inevitability of death. For some, religious beliefs provide a sense of purpose, moral guidance, and the promise of an afterlife, serving as anchors in an otherwise chaotic existence. From an existentialist viewpoint, faith could be seen as an individual's authentic choice to find meaning, but it could also be critiqued as an escape from the burdens of freedom and the responsibility of creating one's own essence. Essentially, religion can both alleviate and intersect with existential concerns, depending on one's perspective.
Choice paralysis, or the inability to make a decision when presented with numerous options, finds resonances in existentialist discussions on freedom. Existentialism posits that with great freedom comes great responsibility, and the sheer weight of this responsibility, coupled with the boundless possibilities of existence, can lead to existential angst. In a similar vein, choice paralysis arises when the freedom to choose from myriad options becomes overwhelming, leading to indecision or regret over potential missed opportunities. Both concepts highlight the paradoxical nature of freedom: while often celebrated, it can also induce anxiety and paralysis.
Existentialism and nihilism are both philosophical positions that grapple with the perceived lack of inherent meaning in life. However, their responses to this realisation diverge. Nihilism posits that life is devoid of intrinsic value, meaning, or purpose, often leading to a sense of despair or pessimism. Existentialism, on the other hand, acknowledges this inherent lack of objective meaning but posits that individuals have the power and responsibility to create their own subjective meaning. Thus, while existential angst may arise from the existentialist confrontation with life's absurdity, existentialism also provides avenues (like living authentically) to navigate this angst, something nihilism doesn't inherently offer.
Confronting existential angst requires deep introspection and often benefits from engaging with philosophical, literary, or artistic works that address existential themes. Practical steps might include:
- Journaling: Putting thoughts to paper can clarify feelings and provide a reflective space to navigate existential concerns.
- Dialogue: Engaging in discussions with others can provide diverse perspectives and the comfort of shared experience.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Grounding exercises can help manage feelings of dread or alienation, bringing focus to the present moment
- Exploration of existential literature and art: Works by existentialist authors or artists can offer insights and comfort.
- Seeking professional guidance: Therapists, particularly those versed in existential therapy, can offer strategies to navigate and understand existential angst.
Practice Questions
The existentialist view of freedom, rooted in the notion that "existence precedes essence", posits that individuals possess vast personal freedom to shape their identities and destinies. This profound freedom, rather than being purely liberating, often induces existential angst. Individuals, when faced with the boundless possibilities of existence without any predetermined path or purpose, grapple with overwhelming dread, despair, and a heightened awareness of mortality. In essence, the freedom existentialism celebrates becomes a catalyst for the deep emotional turmoil of existential angst, accentuating the inherent tension between human yearning for meaning and the perceived absurdity of life.
Living authentically is a central tenet in existentialist thought, offering a means to navigate the treacherous waters of existential angst. By choosing to live in congruence with one's own beliefs, desires, and values, rather than being swayed by external societal pressures or norms, one asserts control over their existence. This authentic living provides a sense of purpose and self-affirmation, acting as a bulwark against feelings of dread, despair, and alienation. Even in the face of life's inherent meaninglessness, crafting an authentic existence empowers individuals, enabling them to find subjective meaning and purpose, thus diminishing the weight of existential angst.
George studied undergraduate and masters degrees in Classics and Philosophy at Oxford, as well as spending time at Yale. He specialises in helping students with UK and US university applications, including Oxbridge and the Ivy League. He writes extensively on education including on schools, universities, and pedagogy.