What existentialist philosophy really means for me!

If you’re reading this.. that means you exist!

It may sound obvious, but how often do you actually think about your existence? By nature of existing, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do. Right now you could be doing any infinite number of things, but you are choosing to read this.?

Each and every minute you make these sorts of decisions. Most small choices we make without much thought. But some choices may make you wonder, am I really making the best choices and living the life I want to? Or am I just playing a part in someone else’s play??

These are just a few of the deep ethical questions that come as part of being human. In thinking about being human, you will feel compelled to take advantage of the best part of existence: freedom!

Here are just 3 of the many useful and eye-opening lessons I can share that will make you more empowered:

You’re freer than you think and you should take advantage of it.

As kids, we don’t realize that we learn world views and moral codes that are not our own. But as we grow older, we realize that those who give the rules aren’t perfect, and the things people taught us aren’t indisputable truths.?

People mature to differing extents.

The more mature we become, the more aware we start to be of our freedoms. The sad part is that many people don’t fully mature, and this means there are many of us not reaching our full potential.

There are different types of maturity levels.

First is the Sub-man. Maybe he’s lazy, doesn’t have much of an imagination, or is indifferent, but he avoids doing meaningful things with his life. This is because he doesn’t realize the freedom he has.

Next is the Serious man, where most people are. He tries to make his situation better and works towards goals he thinks are good. His problem lies in his inability to recognize that moral codes are subjective. This makes him prone to being an unthinking follower?

Next is the Nihilist, who realizes that human values are subjective. But because she sees this subjective nature of values, she sees that all human projects are meaningless and worthless. Because she sees it as worthless, she chooses not to use her freedom constructively.

Lastly, we have the Adventurer, she sees that values are subjective, but sees it as a positive because she has the freedom to choose her values. But her fault is that she becomes overly concerned with her own projects and ideas and doesn’t care how her actions affect those around her. However, if the adventurer becomes concerned with others as well as her own passions, she will finally find true freedom.??

You can never have an entirely neutral perspective, it’s impossible.

There is no such thing as a completely neutral perspective.

Have you ever heard someone say they are giving an “unbiased opinion”? Did you know that this doesn’t actually exist? In philosophy, this is known as disinterested contemplation. It means you separate your interests to enjoy something just for the sake of enjoying it. But the problem is that it doesn’t work.?

Scientists, creatives, and intellectuals may pretend to take a disinterested perspective when it comes to things like global events and politics. They engage themselves in their work while the events unfold around them and say they won’t take sides in the name of being unbiased.?

This is what many elite figures did when the Nazis occupied Paris. They were willing to basically ignore the new regime based on being non-partisan. In truth, they simply didn’t want their work to be disrupted.

The truth is that we can’t ever have disinterested contemplation because it is impossible to truly detach ourselves from our own opinions. Saying you can do this is basically pretending you are able to actually step out of yourself and dwell in an imaginary world outside your own.?

This may not be too big of a deal when it comes to something like criticizing art, but when it comes to politics, it can literally be life or death. Choosing to be disinterested is taking a stance. It is taking the stance that you would rather do nothing when you have the responsibility to do something.?

Real people are more important than abstract ideals, but good luck trying to tell our government that.

Abstract ideals aren’t as important as real people, but our government messes this up all the time!

One of the strategies oppressors use to justify their actions is that they appeal to its usefulness. They may argue that it’s a necessity of achieving a higher value.?

One example of this is when fascists states appeal to national identity. Democratic capitalist countries like to appeal to the need to save the economy. Socialists appeal to the need to build a utopia. Whatever the case, people sadly come last in importance.?

Why can’t we place real people before abstract ideas?

The idea that we can have a better economy or a utopian future only really carry the value that they can benefit real live people.?

For example, when Soviet leaders said their repression and genocide was in the name of becoming a utopia, the logic didn’t add up. And when US leaders justify an entire class of people living in poverty in the name of a healthy economy, this is similarly absurd. When we put human beings below our abstract ideals, these ideals ironically become worthless.