Why Meaning Hurts: Personal Reflections on Existentialism and the Human Condition
This Blog task is assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad as Flipped Learning Activity on Existentialism: Ask Questions. Here is the link to the professor's Blog for background reading: Click here.
🔹 Points I Will Ponder in My Blog
1️⃣ Reflections on Key Thoughts from the Videos
2️⃣ My Favorite Video and the Reason for Choosing It
3️⃣ Learning Outcomes from This Activity
4️⃣ Five Thought-Provoking Questions for Class Discussion
5️⃣ Additional Feedback and Personal Observations
Here is Mind Map of My Blog: Click Here
Infograph of to introduce my whole blog in brief:
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Entering the Question of Existence
Existentialism emerges from moments of crisis historical, social, and deeply personal when familiar structures of meaning begin to collapse. Born in the aftermath of wars, alienation, and spiritual disillusionment, existentialist philosophy confronts the most unsettling questions of human existence: Why do we exist? How should we live in a world without guaranteed meaning? What does freedom truly demand from us? Rather than offering comforting answers, existentialism insists on honesty, responsibility, and the courage to face the absurdity of life without illusion.
Through these videos, existentialism unfolds not merely as a gloomy or pessimistic philosophy as it is often misunderstood but as a profound exploration of individuality, freedom, responsibility, and meaning-making in a seemingly indifferent universe. Thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, and others appear not as abstract philosophers but as voices grappling with anxiety, despair, rebellion, faith, and authenticity. Concepts like the absurd, radical freedom, bad faith, suicide, rebellion, and the tension between existentialism and nihilism are examined not only philosophically but also in relation to lived human experience.
Part I:Reflections on Key Thoughts from the Videos
Video 1: What is Existentialism?
Existentialism is defined in the video, with the suggestion that it should be thought of as a triangle. The three sides of this triangle are individuality, freedom, and passions.
Key aspects of existentialism which got me:
Founders and Key Figures
- Jean-Paul Sartre was the first person to refer to himself as an existentialist and founded the whole movement.
- Although Sartre is highly associated with existentialism, he is not considered the first existentialist.
- Existentialism commonly is thought to start with Kierkegaard.
- Other great thinkers and writers to whom the term "existentialist" can be applied are Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Kafka, Heidegger, Chestov, Hermann Hesse, Sartre, and his companion, Simone de Beauvoir.
- Though their views differ, all of these figures share the basic belief that philosophical thinking and existing start with the thinking subject, which is the individual.
Belief in God
- Belief or non-belief in God does not necessarily influence one's title as an existentialist.
- Even for someone who believes in God, understanding Him is only possible after thinking as an individual, such as after realizing the absurdity of life or living in despair. This understanding cannot be achieved by being part of a community.
- Philosophers like Camus would argue against this, suggesting that believing in God is taking the easy way out. For Camus, one must understand, recognize, and fully embrace the absurd, and believing in God is considered philosophical suicide.
- Camus did not like to be called an existentialist but is considered an important figure in the field because his work centers on the themes of individualism, freedom, and emotions.
Popularity
- Existentialism is mainly popular among young people.
- This is mostly because it touches on subjects that people in their youth might be struggling with, such as suicide, anguish, angst, absurdity, passions, emotions, death, freedom, or despair.
Video 2: The Myth of Sisyphus: The Absurd Reasoning (Feeling of the Absurd)
The Myth of Sisyphus: The Absurd Reasoning (Feeling of the Absurd)
The video summarizes Part I, "An Absurd Reasoning," of Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus.
Key points that marked my attention:
- Camus begins his essay by stating that "there is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide".
- He focuses on suicide because despair and absurdity may lead people to consider it if they view life as being "deprived of all meanings".
- Camus writes, "I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living. I therefore conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions".
- Suicide is presented as an individual act, "prepared within the silence of the heart as is a great work of art". The video compares this idea to phrases from the movie Stay, such as, "An elegant suicide is the ultimate work of art".
- The desire to commit suicide arises when people begin to think, which leads them to discover "the absurdity in life".
Video 3: The Myth of Sisyphus: the notion of philosophical suicide
The Myth of Sisyphus: the notion of philosophical suicide
The video discusses Albert Camus's concept of the absurd and "philosophical suicide" from The Myth of Sisyphus.The Absurd
The feeling of the absurd is distinct from the notion of the absurd, though the feeling lays the foundation for the notion.
The absurd is not found solely in man or solely in the world; it occurs only in their joint presence.
The world can be described as irrational.
- A human being is required for this irrationality to be conceived, necessitating a confrontation between man and the world for the absurd to occur.
- If human beings did not exist, neither would desires nor the human "nostalgia to be satisfied".
The absurd ends with death because it cannot exist outside the human mind.
- The struggle with the absurd requires a total absence of hope, a continual rejection, and conscious dissatisfaction. These requirements should not be confused with despair, renunciation, or immature unrest.
Philosophical Suicide
- "Philosophical suicide" is a term Camus uses to describe attempts to escape or buy one's way out of the absurdity of life after recognizing it.
- One can negate oneself to escape the absurd by committing physical suicide.
- Alternatively, one can deny the absurd and live in perpetual
Video 4: Dadaism, Nihilism and Existentialism
Dadaism, Nihilism and Existentialism
The Video explores the correlation between Dadaism, Nihilism and Existentialism during the War time.
The Dadaism movement, which emerged in 1916 as a reaction against World War I. It argues that Dadaism, often mistakenly associated with nihilism, was actually a quest for change and a tool to pave the way for new values.
Key points of which i saw repeatedly:
- Dadaism's nature: It was fundamentally against existing values and rules, not a creator of new ones. Its aim was to question and object to established norms to overcome them.
- Comparison to Existentialism: The video draws parallels between Dadaism and Existentialism, noting both emerged as responses to the absurdity of life after major wars (WWI for Dadaism, WWII for Existentialism).
- Questioning values: Dadaists, unlike other movements, focused on questioning every value rather than creating. This questioning nature is what made it seem nihilistic, but it was done for good reasons.
- Hugo Ball's Manifesto: The video highlights Hugo Ball's writings, which express a desire to break free from conventional thought and language to create one's own values and perceptions.
- Dadaism vs. Nihilism: The video explicitly states that Dadaism and nihilism are not the same. While both may be "fed up with everyday life," Dadaism was a response to the war, similar to how existentialism responded to World War II.
- Embracing absurdity: The video concludes by referencing an absurdist's embrace of life's absurdity, with Tzara stating, "The absurd doesn't frighten me, because, from a more elevated point of view, I consider everything in life to be absurd."
Video 5: Existentialism - a gloomy philosophy
Existentialism - a gloomy philosophy
The key takeaways from the video about existentialism are:
Existentialism as a "Gloomy Philosophy":
- Existentialism is often considered a gloomy philosophy because concepts such as anxiety, despair, and absurdity are consistently part of the discussion.
- However, these so-called negative subjects are brought up only to find a solution to them.
Finding Relief and Meaning:
- The focus should be on the conclusion of the philosophy.
- Relief from "recurring struggles" can be found by believing in God, discovering a personal truth, or even embracing the absurd.
- Most importantly, the individual should judge and weigh every value, choose their own meaning in life, and take responsibility for that choice and its consequences.
Addressing Misconceptions:
- Narcissism: The belief that existentialism is a narcissistic philosophy is a misconception. Being an individual does not equate to being a narcissist. A person can either choose to be part of the "herd" or "look inwardly and discover [them]self," which Friedrich Nietzsche refers to as "become who you are".
- Nihilism: It is also a misconception that existentialism inevitably leads to nihilism, as it is "further from the truth". The speaker notes that existentialism is not nihilism.
Historical Context:
- To understand the philosophy's gloominess, one must consider its history.
- Existentialism was a post-war movement that gained popularity as a response to the World War, where despair and absurdity affected every individual.
- It served as a response to the "emptiness after World War II," when people's lives felt meaningless and filled with despair. In this atmosphere, existentialism "came to people's rescue and offered the cure".
Video 6: Existentialism and Nihilism: Is it one and the same?
Existentialism and Nihilism: Is it one and the same?
This video explains the key differences between existentialism and nihilism, highlighting how existentialists have historically opposed nihilistic viewpoints.
The points I noted down:
- Kierkegaard's Perspective: He defined nihilism as the loss of individuality and sought to promote subjectivity.
- Nietzsche's Perspective: For Nietzsche, nihilism signifies the devaluation of the highest values, a trend he actively fought against.
- Turin and Nihilistic Consent: The video introduces Turin as an example of nihilistic consent, characterized by his passive acceptance of life, even in the face of suicidal thoughts. His passivity prevents him from acting on these thoughts, despite the responsibility to fight against the temptation of suicide.
- Rebellion as an Existentialist Response: In contrast to Turin's rejection of rebellion, Camus argued in The Myth of Sisyphus and The Rebel that rebellion is the only appropriate response to the absurdity of life.
Takeaways:
The core takeaway is that while both philosophies grapple with the absence of inherent meaning, existentialism advocates for active engagement and rebellion in the face of life's absurdity, whereas nihilism, in its passive form, can lead to resignation and inaction.
Video 7: Let us introduce Existentialism again!
Let us introduce Existentialism again!
This video offers an introduction to existentialism, clarifying its core ideas and distinguishing it from other philosophical concepts like nihilism.
Here's a breakdown of the key points:
- Defining Existentialism: Existentialism is best understood as a philosophical movement rather than a rigid system or set of doctrines. It emerged in 19th-century Europe with figures like Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, gaining prominence in the 20th century with thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre.
- The Human Condition: A central concern for existentialists is the "problem of life as a human being," also known as the Human Condition. They grapple with fundamental questions like "Why am I here?" and "How should I live my life?".
- Rejection of Absolute Systems: Existentialists largely reject comprehensive philosophical, religious, or scientific systems that offer definitive, timeless answers to the meaning and purpose of human life. They believe relying on such systems can hinder an individual's development into an authentic and free human being.
- The Human Perspective: The video highlights the existentialist emphasis on a human perspective of the Human Condition, rather than a "Divine perspective". This includes confronting mortality (6:15-6:36), as accepting the temporal nature of life can empower individuals to live authentically and by their own values.
- Existence Precedes Essence: This key Sartrean idea suggests that humans are not born with a predetermined "essence" or purpose, unlike manufactured objects. Instead, our free choices during life sculpt our unique essence.
- Existentialism vs. Nihilism: The video differentiates existentialism from nihilism. While a nihilist believes there is no meaning or purpose to life, many existentialists assert that humans can create personal or subjective meaning for their lives, even in the absence of an objective one. Nietzsche, for example, advocated "becoming who you are" to overcome nihilism by developing one's own meaning and purpose.
Video 8: Explain like I'm Five: Existentialism and Nietzsche
Explain like I'm Five: Existentialism and Nietzsche
This video explains the concepts of Friedrich Nietzsche and existentialism in simple terms, using an "Explain Like I'm Five" format.
- Nietzsche's idea that people don't have to follow pre-existing rules but can create their own. They use examples of "silly" parental rules like not wearing street clothes to bed or cleaning one's room.
- Existentialism is defined as the philosophy that there is no universal morality governing everyone, and that deciding what is good or bad is part of being an "Übermensch".
- The concept of an "Übermensch" (German for Superman) is explained as someone who can "do whatever he wants" .
- The video concludes by reiterating that Nietzsche's ideas revolve around doing "whatever you want," which is a core tenet of existentialism.
Video 9: Why I like Existentialism? Eric Dodson
This video, "Why I Like Existentialism," offers a personal exploration of existential thought and its impact on everyday life. The speaker, Eric Dodson, aims to explain his attraction to existentialism, describe its effect on his life, and provide practical suggestions for applying existential thinking. He emphasizes that his perspective is personal and not overly technical, encouraging viewers to take his insights "with a grain of salt".
Key aspects that draw the speaker to existentialism include:
- Dual Nature: Existentialism appeals to both the intellect, with its specific ideas and vocabulary, and the "heart and soul," by evoking an "existential sensibility" or way of life. It balances intellectual understanding with a desire to experience life deeply, avoiding overly rationalized or unconvincing approaches .
- Radical Honesty: Existential thinkers are remarkably direct about difficult aspects of life, such as its absurdity, our denial of freedom, and the pervasive sense of anxiety and mortality. This honesty is "refreshing" and "real".
- Holistic Understanding: Existentialism invites a holistic view of life, acknowledging both human strengths and weaknesses. It encourages understanding existence within various interrelated contexts, extending to our participation in the universe and life itself, pushing against the common tendency to "underrate or ignore" life's larger dimensions.
- Rebellious Nature: The speaker appreciates existentialism's "strategic irreverence and sense of rebellion" against conventional, "lame and unconvincing" answers to life's riddles. This rebellion aims for deeper understanding and a more profound way of living, making life feel "dangerous and exhilarating".
The speaker also discusses how existentialism affects his everyday life:
- Broadened Thinking: It has expanded his understanding of what "thinking" entails, moving beyond abstract logic to embrace ideas that evoke passion and deepen lived experience. He now seeks a "wildest, boldest, most brilliant... most poetic vision of life possible", viewing understanding as a means to be more fully alive.
- Increased Compassion: Along with Buddhist thought, existentialism fosters compassion by encouraging an honest acknowledgment of suffering. It redefines suffering not as an enemy, but sometimes as a teacher or even a "greatest friend and ally".
- Living toward Immensity: Existentialism teaches living moment by moment toward the "immensity of time and space" and life as a whole. It encourages openness to being deeply alive, embracing personal power, and releasing limiting beliefs to experience life's "further horizons and possibilities".
Finally, the speaker offers a "Top 10" list of ways to live more existentially:
- Question conventions and recognize life's deeper reality .
- Relate to the "big picture," including the world and universe .
- Honor and learn from difficult experiences .
- Claim inherent power and live powerfully now.
- Explore personal freedom by loosening limiting beliefs .
- Live with verve, passion, and commitment as a participant in life.
- Deeply inhabit the present moment .
- Recover childlike play and wonderment.
- Build deeper community and connection with others.
- Remember your extraordinary human destiny within a brilliant and terrifying universe, embracing all of life's experiences.
Video 10: Let us sum up: From Essentialism to Existentialism
This video explores essentialism and existentialism, delving into how individuals find meaning in life.
The video begins by explaining essentialism, an ancient Greek philosophy that suggests everything, including humans, possesses an innate "essence" or purpose from birth. This view implies that living a "good" human life means adhering to this predetermined essence.
The video then transitions to existentialism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries . It challenges essentialism by asserting that "existence precedes essence". This means individuals are born without inherent purpose and must create their own meaning through their choices and actions. Key aspects of existentialism discussed include:
- The Absurd: This term describes the human desire for meaning in a universe that is inherently meaningless.
- Radical Freedom: Existentialists believe that without a predetermined purpose, individuals are "condemned to be free". This freedom is agonizing because it forces individuals to design their own moral codes and accept full responsibility for their choices.
- Bad Faith: Living in "bad faith" means refusing to accept this radical freedom and instead following a path set by external authorities.
The video illustrates these concepts with Jean-Paul Sartre's anecdote about a student facing a difficult moral decision during wartime. This example highlights that there are no predetermined answers; the individual must choose their own path authentically .
Ultimately, it concludes that while existentialism may seem bleak, it empowers individuals to imbue their lives and the world with their own chosen meaning and values.
Part II:My Favorite Video and the Reason for Choosing It
Why Video 9 “Why I Like Existentialism?” Resonated with Me
Why I like Existentialism? Eric Dodson
- What made Video 9 especially impactful for me is its human and lived approach to existentialism. Instead of presenting existentialism as a dense philosophical theory, the speaker treats it as a way of living and feeling. This balance between intellect and emotion makes the philosophy feel real, accessible, and deeply personal.
- One reason I liked this video is its emphasis on radical honesty. Existentialism here does not avoid uncomfortable truths such as anxiety, suffering, mortality, or absurdity. Rather than offering false comfort, it confronts these realities directly. This honesty feels refreshing because it mirrors real human experience instead of idealized philosophical abstractions.
- Another powerful aspect is the video’s holistic vision of life. Existentialism is shown not merely as a method of thinking, but as a sensibility that touches the heart, soul, and everyday existence. Life is not reduced to logic alone; passion, fear, rebellion, wonder, and vulnerability are all treated as meaningful parts of being human.
- The speaker’s idea of existentialism as rebellious yet life-affirming also stood out. The rebellion is not destructive but creative a rejection of shallow answers in favor of deeper engagement with life. This makes existence feel, as the speaker suggests, dangerous, intense, and exhilarating.
- Finally, the practical suggestions such as living in the present moment, questioning conventions, embracing suffering as a teacher, and reconnecting with childlike wonder make existentialism feel usable rather than merely theoretical. This video helped me see existentialism as a philosophy that encourages compassion, courage, and a fuller participation in life.
Why Video 10 “From Essentialism to Existentialism” Felt Powerful
What I appreciated most about Video 10 is its clarity and balance. It explains existentialism by first grounding it in contrast to essentialism, which makes the philosophical shift easier to understand. The movement from a fixed, predetermined essence to the idea that existence precedes essence is presented in a clear and logical progression.
This video resonated with me because it captures both the dark and empowering sides of existentialism. On one hand, it acknowledges the unsettling implications of radical freedom — anxiety, responsibility, and the absence of guaranteed meaning. On the other hand, it shows how this same freedom becomes a source of empowerment, allowing individuals to create their own values and purpose.
The discussion of radical freedom and being “condemned to be free” is particularly striking. The video makes it clear that freedom is not comforting; it is demanding. Yet, this demand is what gives human life dignity and authenticity. Meaning is no longer inherited — it is chosen.
I also found the explanation of bad faith especially relevant. The idea that people often escape freedom by surrendering their choices to external authorities (society, religion, tradition) highlights how difficult authenticity truly is. This makes existentialism feel less like abstract philosophy and more like a mirror held up to everyday life.
Overall, Video 10 feels impactful because it does not romanticize existentialism, nor does it dismiss its difficulties. Instead, it presents existentialism as a philosophy that empowers individuals to take responsibility for their lives, even in a meaningless or absurd world.
Why These Two Videos Matter Together
What makes Video 9 and Video 10 especially compelling when viewed together is that they represent both sides of existentialism:
- Video 9 shows how existentialism feels- emotionally, personally, and spiritually.
- Video 10 explains how existentialism works- philosophically, historically, and conceptually.
Together, they demonstrate why existentialism is not merely a gloomy philosophy but a response to despair, offering individuals the courage to live meaningfully without illusions. This balance of realism and hope is what makes existentialism and these two videos deeply appealing and memorable.
Part III: Learning Outcomes from This Activity
🔹 Impact of This Activity on My Understanding of Existentialism
This flipped learning activity significantly widened and deepened my understanding of Existentialism, not only as a philosophical movement but as a way of interpreting human behaviour, society, and meaning itself. Earlier, my understanding of existentialism was largely limited to its association with pessimism, absurdity, and despair. However, through these videos and reflections, I now see existentialism as a philosophy that honestly confronts meaninglessness while still insisting on responsibility, awareness, and engagement with life.
Has your comprehension of Existentialist philosophy improved?
- Yes, my understanding of existentialist philosophy has improved through this activity. Earlier, I viewed existentialism mainly as a pessimistic or gloomy philosophy, but the videos helped me understand its deeper focus on individuality, freedom, and responsibility. I now see how existentialism explains human behaviour in a meaningless world and why the constant search for meaning often leads to anxiety and exhaustion.
Do you feel more confident discussing or writing about it?
- Yes, I feel more confident discussing and writing about existentialism now. The videos explained complex ideas in a simple and relatable way, which helped me connect philosophical concepts with real-life experiences. This made it easier for me to express my thoughts clearly and use existentialist ideas while analysing literature or social behaviour.
Has this exercise brought clarity to any previously unclear concepts?
- This exercise brought clarity to several concepts that were earlier confusing, especially the difference between existentialism and nihilism, the idea of radical freedom, and bad faith. I now understand that existentialism does not promote passivity or hopelessness, but instead encourages individuals to take responsibility for their choices and consciously engage with life despite its absurdity.
- Existence precedes essence we’re born without a fixed meaning, and we create it through choices (Jean-Paul Sartre).
- The importance of individual responsibility and authenticity.
- The tension between freedom and the “pressure to conform.”
- People have interpreted the penguin’s solo march as symbolic of these ideas because:
- Individual choice against conformity: The penguin isn’t following the group back to safety people see that as choosing one’s own path.
- Facing absurd or harsh conditions: In existentialism, life can feel arbitrary or indifferent, so the penguin’s bleak walk becomes a metaphor for human existential struggle.
- Imposed meaning: Observers project their own fears, hopes, or rebellion onto the penguin a classic existential theme of creating meaning where none is given.
- Important note: The penguin isn’t literally engaging in philosophical thought it’s animal behavior. The existential interpretation is a human projection and metaphor, not an animal expressing awareness.
- To tie the metaphor back to philosophy:
- Existentialism explores human freedom, responsibility, and meaning in a world without inherent purpose.
- Thinkers like Sartre and Kierkegaard emphasized that we must choose or define our values through action.
- burned out
- tired of social norms
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