Existential me — Image by me
THE COURAGE TO BE
Let’s not join the chorus of those predicting aExiste political crises. It is easy to succumb to the siren song of fear.
Twentieth-century existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre wrote Being and Nothingness. In it, Sartre assumes
that “self” exists in a material universe (Being), but our consciousness does not cohabitate with the body.
Consciousness provides freedom, which gives us an infinite potential for the future. However, our presence
in time makes us finite and ignorant. As a result, our consciousness can perceive what is not but
could be (Nothingness). Sartre believed that human existence is a condition of nothingness,
which allows for conscious choices within our being.
It is this dichotomy that causes fear (existential fear or “angst” – a Kierkegaard term) since our subjective choices
(in the present) represent a limit to our conscious thoughts. As a result, we (humans) tend to free our fear
through activities designed to take us toward some meaningful end. This freeing can take on many forms,
involving immersing oneself into things in our day-to-day experience (being). We, therefore, escape
this threat of non-being by immersing ourselves in being, i.e., reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, etc.
Doing so doesn’t create a state of being fearless but serves as a rest area in our existential fear.
To be without fear would suggest the worst possible existence (psychological). The more we try to reduce or
eliminate fear, the more we become aware of fear, a form of fear about fear. So, the proper response to fear
is to stop being fearful of fear. Another well-known existentialist, Soren Kierkegaard, believed facing fear
is the best way to deal with it courageously. “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing
we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts
to convert retreat into advance.” (FDR’s First Inaugural Address)
The question is, “Do we have the courage to be?” Only each individual can honestly answer this question.
— kenne
Thank you, Kenne, for your erudite and interesting thoughts. I follow the advice of the great Mark Twain: ” To worry before anything happens is like paying for the goods you didn’t take”
Joanna
Joanna,
Thanks for the comment. A lot of Mark Twain’s writings have existential themes, as in ‘Huckleberry Finn’, where he finds himself facing the void of a meaningless life and his obsessive concern with death. I recently read Percival Everett’s novel, “James,” which retells the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, Huck’s enslaved companion. James is a novel about the search for self and the human desire for connection and understanding. It is an excellent read by a great writer.
So true. Thanks for the reminder, Kenne.
Pat, thanks for leaving a comment — most appreciated. We need to get together.