What is Existentialism?

As we read modern philosophers, we will encounter the word, "Existentialism." However, what does it mean? Does it mean a study of existence, as simply as the word tells? If that so, we might wonder, why are not we study humanism instead? Or perhaps science?  It seems like both, Humanism and science are concrete form of existence for the object of the study that is human and universe, are existing things. Thus, can we say that to study humanity and universe is to study about the existence it self? In this case, existentialism is deeper than that. Humanity and universe is the manifestation of the existence they are in different category to be studied or examined. In this case, we can say Humanism and Science are the second order philosophy after the very first order philosophy which is Existentialism. What is being in itself, is the first question to be asked before anything else. 

To define existentialism is not an easy-peasy thing. Majorine Greene get it rights, "The more fashionable philosophy becomes, the more elusive is its definition" and this true also for the case of existentialism. Yet, from the writer's perspective, existentialism is a philosophy that help us to understand our modes and deepest structure of being in the light of finitude, without too quick/ever referring to the traditional and metaphysical understanding of being, that there is actually a substance of divine inside every living things. There is no such thing as fixed "I" in the realm of existentialism for "I" is always in process of becoming "I". As the result, every rational being should always asking, what is the meaning of being me? Being, as Heidegger put, is always "potential".  My meaning is always in relation to other being or in relation to what I do.  William Barret in his book Irrational Man: A Study in Existentialism argue that after the Second World War, existentialism then come into existence. It is understandable that war was an essential event to foster and trigger every man to rethink again the meaning of death, freedom, anxiety and identity in general. Those are the major themes that existentialism will touch on. Take for instance the case of Auschwitz. The voice of desperation in a dark chamber echoes, does God really there and care for us? Does we are really meaningful in His sight? This event surely will trigger the questions of human existence with immense agony. Indeed, humans are always encounter with the question of their existence in the face of death. Some will notice it earlier through philosophical reflection, some will realize it bit latter in life naturally, at some point in their life as they face inevitable tragedy and crisis of this world.

Nonetheless, it is wrong to say that existential philosophy is a product of atheist or people who are moving away from their religion as some people might claimed. The first existential philosophers can be traced back to Danish Philosopher and Theologian, Soren Kiekergard (1813-1855) although the term and existentialism movement was articulated  and discovered after him. Kiekergard introduce the idea of "authentic self". He emphasis the need of oneself to choose for himself the meaning and value of their lives to discover the potential self. Generally, human being have been racing fast through the unknown fate of death, just like what the next Existentialist Philosophers after Kierkegaard (Camus, Nietzche, Satre) will propose yet, the the difference is, the way humanity choose for himself  is to choose God and not an independent self, and it is done by the leap of faith. Is this a rational move? No, but it is beyond. It is a form of passionate commitment, to act against the view and opinion of others  including, of atheism, as Kierkegaard own word speak, "to find an idea which I am willing to live and die." For Kierkegaard, self is not meant to be take for granted. As the result, we need to know our own self, to discover our true potential self which moves beyond what is already given. Kierkegaard, distinguished man into two dimensions. First, Human-self. Second Theological Self (authentic self). 

Generally, everyone lives in the first mode of existence. Yet, they can be the second self, through the awareness of God, to live in the light of divine. No one become a theological self, as Kierkegaard would say, "not until self as this specific single individual is conscious of existing before God.." With this kind of realization, one cannot undo their worldview. They cannot live in this world without God anymore. As human self, sin, as believed by Kierkegaard, has removed humanity from their Theological self, which consequently remove God out of their worldview. Hence. the true meaning of existence is to live before God again. Kierkegaard's existential philosophy bring us an idea that although the value of self is given, we need to aware of it through our self discovery of God, in every possible limitation we encounter in lives. He bring this theme in his works Fear and Trembling (1843), to show how Abraham found his relation with YHWH cannot be reduced merely to mere logic but faith.  By the leap of faith in the midst of his limitation, one could transform their own nature of existence from Human-self to Theological self. This view really opposed Nietzsche's notion of  "Superman"(Human are basically autonomous in this world and need to fight for himself to deal with their limitation, without an aid from Above). As humans, we need to asked again the very basic question of our existence. There are left two choices. Either we follow the step of Theistic Existentialism, to discover and embrace a new possibility for our life, to find our higher self in the light of eternity, which is beyond death. Or we can just  follow the step of Atheistic Existentialism, a life of awareness toward our finitude, and to confront life with our best by embracing "death" and "nihilism" as our sole modes of existence. At the end of the day, it is a matter of choice, our passionate commitment. Have we choose the best?