Q&A for How to Be an Existentialist

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Where should I start with existentialism?

Steven Hesky, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Steven Hesky is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 37 years of experience. He specializes in long-term psychotherapy with adults and adolescents. His training includes Freudian, Jungian, and Existential approaches to psychotherapy, hypnosis, family therapy, marriage counseling, and biofeedback. Dr. Hesky holds a BA in Philosophy from Lake Forest College and an MA and PhD in Existential Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University.

Steven Hesky, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Reflect upon some of the essential elements of your life, like being with others, making choices to create your life's direction, and taking responsibility for your decisions.

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What does the word existential mean?

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Something that is "existential" relates to the idea of one's existence.

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How do I find the moral good in things and people without a moral law giver?

Community Answer

Either something is good because "god" commands it, or "god" commands things because they are good. This is a rephrasing of the Euthyphro dilemma. Genocide is a horrific crime that causes an untold amount of suffering. We recognize that even if, for example, god ordered the Nazis to commit genocide it would still be wrong. If this is true, then it follows that something cannot be good because it was commanded by god. Good things are brought about by some other pedigree than divine command. Good things seem to be the things which encourage the well being and flourishing of individuals. If this is true, then good things should be distinguishable from bad things in reality.

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So we all have different moral codes?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Yes and no. Think of it like making bread. To develop your moral code, you need at least water and flour, because without either of these two you simply can't make bread. Then, if you want to ad an egg, seeds, nuts, butter, feel free! The taste, texture, color, etc will vary wildly, but it will always be bread. So yes, we all have a different moral code, but they are still broadly the same.

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What is the difference between nihilism and existentialism?

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By definition, nihilism is the rejection of all religious and moral principles - often in the belief that life is meaningless. Existentialism is the belief that everyone creates meaning in their own lives, and only that person can give his/her life meaning.

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Do existentialists value human life and dignity?

Community Answer

Of course, Jean Paul Sartre's existentialism values human life and dignity. Existentialism is an approach to life in which every person strives to become the best that they can be. This philosophy is about becoming exactly who you want to be so that life is worth living and you have no regrets.

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What could I wear that is an existentialist outfit?

Community Answer

You could dress like Jean-Paul Sartre and rock a black turtleneck and sunglasses, or go down the 19th century Russian existentialist path, and grow a beard and wear a trench coat, or try growing a Friedrich Nietzsche moustache.

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