Philosophy & Existentialism: Core Themes & Thinkers

TAKEAWAYS:

• Understand the core definitions of philosophy and existentialism, including their historical and cultural contexts.
• Learn about major existentialist thinkers like Sartre, Camus, and Kierkegaard, and their key ideas.
• Analyze existential themes such as freedom, absurdity, and authenticity in literature and life.
• Compare philosophical perspectives with existentialist views on human existence and meaning.
• Explore how existentialism applies to real-world scenarios like business, technology, and personal decisions.
• Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate philosophical arguments and their impact on society.

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Philosophy: The Study of Fundamental Questions

Philosophy is the systematic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and ethics. It seeks to understand the nature of reality, truth, and human existence through logic, reasoning, and critical analysis.

Key Branches of Philosophy

Philosophy is divided into several branches, each addressing different aspects of human thought:

Why Study Philosophy?

Philosophy helps us:

• Think critically and logically.
• Question assumptions and challenge conventional wisdom.
• Understand complex ethical dilemmas.
• Develop better decision-making skills in personal and professional life.

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Existentialism: The Search for Meaning

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and responsibility in a seemingly indifferent universe. Unlike traditional philosophy, existentialism focuses on the experienced self rather than abstract theories.

Core Themes of Existentialism

1. Freedom and Responsibility

   • Humans are free to make choices, but this freedom comes with responsibility.
   • Example: Sartre’s famous line: "Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself."

2. Absurdity

   • Life has no inherent meaning; humans must create their own purpose.
   • Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus explores this theme through the absurdity of human struggle.

3. Authenticity

   • Living authentically means embracing one’s choices and not conforming to societal expectations.
   • Kierkegaard’s concept of "leap of faith" illustrates this.

4. Anxiety and Despair

   • The realization of freedom and the lack of inherent meaning can lead to anxiety.
   • Nietzsche’s God is dead metaphor reflects this existential crisis.

5. Existential Dread

   • Fear of the unknown and the finitude of life.
   • Often explored in literature (e.g., Kafka’s The Trial).

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Major Existentialist Thinkers

1. Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855)

• Focused on subjectivity and faith.
• Argued that truth is subjective and personal.
• Key works: Fear and Trembling, Concluding Unscientific Postscript.

2. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

• Critiqued traditional morality and religion.
• Introduced the concept of the "Übermensch" (Overman) – a self-created ideal.
• Key works: Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil.

3. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980)

• Believed in "radical freedom" – humans are condemned to be free.
• Emphasized authenticity and bad faith (self-deception).
• Key works: Being and Nothingness, Existentialism is a Humanism.

4. Albert Camus (1913–1960)

• Explored the absurd – the conflict between human desire for meaning and a silent universe.
• Advocated for rebellion against absurdity.
• Key works: The Stranger, The Myth of Sisyphus.

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Existentialism in Literature and Life

Existential themes appear in various forms of literature, film, and everyday life.

Worked Example: Camus’ The Stranger (1942)

• Plot Summary: Meursault, the protagonist, commits a senseless murder and is tried for his lack of emotion.
• Existential Themes:
  • Absurdity: Meursault’s indifference to societal norms reflects the absurdity of life.
  • Alienation: He feels disconnected from others, a common existential experience.
  • Freedom vs. Conformity: His trial highlights how society imposes meaning where none exists.

Real-World Connection: Imagine a Daraz customer who places an order but receives no response. They feel absurd because the system (Daraz) seems indifferent to their needs. Their frustration mirrors Meursault’s – a search for meaning in a world that doesn’t provide it.

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Philosophy vs. Existentialism: A Comparison

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Applications of Philosophy and Existentialism

1. Business and Leadership

• Example: eSewa’s Customer Support
  • When a user faces a payment failure, eSewa’s support team must balance efficiency (philosophy of logic and systems) with empathy (existential understanding of user frustration).
  • Leaders like Sundar Pichai (Google) often emphasize purpose-driven leadership, aligning with existential authenticity.

2. Technology and AI

• Example: WhatsApp’s Algorithm
  • WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption reflects epistemological trust (users trust the system to protect their data).
  • The ethical dilemmas of AI (e.g., bias in algorithms) raise existential questions about control and autonomy.

3. Everyday Life: Personal Decisions

• Example: Choosing a Career
  • A student may feel anxious (existential dread) about their future.
  • They must weigh freedom (existentialism) vs. security (utilitarian philosophy) when choosing between a stable job (banking) or a passion project (startup).

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In the Real World

1. Ncell’s Customer Service

   • When a user complains about poor network coverage, Ncell’s response must address both the technical issue (philosophy of systems) and the emotional frustration (existential absurdity of unreliable service).
   • Ncell’s slogan "Connecting People" reflects an attempt to provide meaning (existential authenticity) in a digital world.

2. Pathao’s Ride-Hailing Ethics

   • Pathao drivers often face existential anxiety about job security and unpredictable income.
   • The company’s flexible work policies (e.g., choosing when to work) align with existential freedom, but drivers still struggle with the absurdity of gig economy instability.

3. NEPSE’s Stock Market Volatility

   • Investors on NEPSE experience existential dread during market crashes, questioning the meaning of their financial choices.
   • Philosophically, this reflects epistemological uncertainty (do we truly understand market trends?) and ethical dilemmas (should we trust advisors?).

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Exam Tip

This unit is highly analytical, so expect questions that test:

1. Definition and Comparison: Distinguish between philosophy and existentialism, or compare two thinkers (e.g., Sartre vs. Camus).
2. Application: Relate existential themes to real-life scenarios (e.g., a bank loan, a failed exam, or a social media rant).
3. Critical Analysis: Evaluate how a literary work (e.g., The Stranger) or a real-world situation (e.g., Ncell’s service) reflects existential ideas.
4. Short Answer Questions: Be ready to write in 300–500 words on topics like:
   • "How does existentialism explain human alienation in modern society?"
   • "Compare Nietzsche’s Übermensch with Sartre’s concept of authenticity."

Pro Tip:

• Use real examples (e.g., Daraz, Ncell) to illustrate abstract ideas.
• Structure answers with clear themes (freedom, absurdity, authenticity) and evidence from thinkers or literature.
• Avoid vague statements; always tie ideas to human experience.

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Sample Short Answer (Model Response) Question: "How does existentialism address the problem of meaning in a technological world?"

Answer: Existentialism directly confronts the crisis of meaning in a technological world by emphasizing that humans must create their own purpose in an indifferent universe. Thinkers like Camus highlight the absurd – the clash between human desire for meaning and a silent, unconcerned cosmos. In a world dominated by algorithms (e.g., YouTube’s recommendation system), users often feel alienated because the system dictates content, leaving little room for personal agency.

Sartre’s concept of radical freedom is particularly relevant: while technology offers tools (e.g., Ncell’s mobile banking), it also strips away traditional sources of meaning (e.g., community, craftsmanship). Users must embrace authenticity by choosing how to engage with technology—whether to use WhatsApp for connection or to reject it for solitude. Nietzsche’s Übermensch ideal suggests that in this digital age, individuals who transcend societal norms (e.g., entrepreneurs like Daraz’s founder) create their own meaning through innovation.

Thus, existentialism serves as a critical lens to question how technology shapes (or destroys) human purpose, urging us to act responsibly in a world that offers neither inherent meaning nor easy answers.