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Questions tagged [existentialism]

A loose title covering : the individual, the experience of choice, and the absence of rational understanding of the universe with a consequent dread or sense of absurdity in human life.

4 votes
3 answers
326 views

Can High Levels of Logical Intelligence Lead to Limit the Evolution of Intelligent Life? [closed]

I have been contemplating a theory about the relationship between high levels of intelligence and existential crises. I've often heard that highly intelligent individuals are more prone to realizing ...
4 votes
3 answers
296 views

Is "Why do we live?" a philosophical question?

After posting a question akin to "Why do we live?" in the r/AskPhilosophy subreddit its moderators got it removed, providing as motivation "All questions must be about philosophy". ...
6 votes
10 answers
2k views

How to save oneself from this particular angst?

This question relates to the angst depicted in the movie Annie Hall, when the younger version of Woody Allen's character feels demotivated about life when he realizes that the universe is expanding. ...
5 votes
3 answers
656 views

What is the need to achieve anything in life? [duplicate]

What is the need to do anything beyond plainly living, consuming food and water, and occupying some space? Is it necessary for someone with the capability to use their intellectual or material skills ...
3 votes
1 answer
117 views

Was Nietzsche an amoralist?

Was Friedrich Nietzsche against morality, or at least in favor of not giving it importance? For example, what would Nietzsche think of someone who qualifies for what he considers the Ubermensch or ‘...
2 votes
1 answer
127 views

Is there a philosophical concept that describes the notion that all permutations of human experience must exist simultaneously?

It's the idea that, basically, if we each have our own paths to walk, so to speak, and if they are all unique to each individual person, then that must mean every possible permutation of a "life&...
6 votes
4 answers
2k views

Any philosophical works that explicitly address the heat death of the Universe and its philosophical implications?

I have been trying to grasp my brain over the last couple years with this topic and it appears that while I now have a quite decent grasp on it from a physics perspective, meaning on how it works and ...
-3 votes
2 answers
143 views

Existentialism is real, so why does Russell's paradox matter? [closed]

"This statement is false." It certainly looks like a truth-functional statement! So is it true or false? The true answer is: It doesn’t matter. If Bertrand Russell has trouble sleeping ...
1 vote
2 answers
40 views

Is there not a muddy overlap between the great existentialist questions and the great metaphysical questions?

We all know the fundamentality of these two branches of philosophy. Metaphysics deals with existence as such while existentialism deals with the predicament of human existence. What I am having ...
0 votes
3 answers
99 views

Why is Sextus Empiricus not self-contradicting and where can I read about his works?

Firstly, Sextus states: "By way of preface let us say that on none of the matters to be discussed do we affirm that things certainly are just as we say they are: rather, we report descriptively ...
1 vote
1 answer
60 views

Are "finding the pain of existence unbearable" and "deciding that life is not worth living" the same?

I have tried to present my views regarding these two seemingly related phenomena. (a) Thinking that Life is not worth living When one "thinks" that life is not worth living, that is a ...
3 votes
3 answers
292 views

Question regarding Existentialism [closed]

Is Existentialism the doctrine that existence is meaningless, and that man exists in a universe that is hostile and indifferent to his existence? If not, what is it the doctrine of?
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the meaning of nothingness in Sartre's ⟪Being and Nothingness⟫?

A head-up: I am from an analytic background, and I have only read continental philosophy via second sources. I am confused about what 'nothingness' mean in Sartre's ⟪Being and Nothingness⟫. Some ...
0 votes
0 answers
36 views

What are the clearest definitions of phenomenology and existentialism?

I'm trying to get an understanding of phenomenology and existentialism. My main questions are, what are the precise definitions of phenomenology and existentialism? Here's my current starting point. ...
2 votes
2 answers
91 views

Heidegger's Dasein - "Mode of Uncovering"

"By using Dasein as a replacement for 'consciousness' and 'mind,' Heidegger intended to suggest that an individual is in the world in the mode of 'uncovering' and is thus disclosing other ...

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