Existentialism: your actions are your existence

by Charlie Kaneer

Opinion Section Editor

Life always gives you a choice. What door will you choose to go through? Photo by: "Existential Man in The Chamber of Choice" by Slimdandy is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Existence precedes essence... The Butterfly effect… Some other big and scary sounding concept that most people might know but don’t really understand. Existentialism is a big, scary word that has a lot of meaning- but why even care? Well, you don’t have to! That’s your choice. Existentialism is all about choice, so really, you are unwillingly participating in a system you don’t care about! Fun!

So, if you don’t know, what is existentialism really? Existentialism is the idea and practice of complete free will and freedom of action, inaction, and the consequences of both. It’s often tied with absurdism- Banana!- gotcha. Absurdism is exactly what it sounds like: absurd.

Anyway, what do others think existentialism is? Well, Laney Purcell (11) believes that it is, “Questioning your existence and purpose.” Ah, yes, the existential crisis route. In that context, she is correct. In an existential crisis you often contemplate your existence, the weight of your actions, how they brought you to your current situation, and if you are happy with what you’ve done… Fun! Emma Hampton (10) has a different idea of existentialism, stating, “To me existentialism is examining your part or what you contribute or bring to the universe. A single person can change the world, but at the same tune it's a feeling that you have no impact on anything or anyone.” That’s deep, and also correct. Existentialism in itself often paradoxes- which makes it even cooler. It is a large variety of ideas under one umbrella of: “Oh God, did I leave the oven on at home?” Actions yield results, turn around and turn that oven off before a bank is robbed halfway across the world.

You may look up at the stars and wonder: Who am I? You are wholly and completely you. Good luck with that. Photo by: "existential carousel." by Ryan Hallock is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The best part about existentialism is you have the choice to not care. The free will to change your entire life. Honestly, I find solace in that. The fact that I may not ever have to answer to anything higher than myself. The idea that I can, at any point, stop eating so, so much candy. I really do have a problem. It’s nice. That huge word, if you take it how you wish, can yield anxiety or excitement. Either way, as a famous sonic-crazed child you may know once said: “When will you learn? When will you learn that your actions have consequences?”