Existentialism: Confronting life’s questions, creating meaning, and living authentically in moments of change

Introduction

Taoism invites us to flow with life, and Stoicism shows us how to steer through its challenges. Now, we turn to Existentialism, a philosophy that goes deeper, asking us to face life’s most difficult questions: What does it all mean? and How do I choose to act in uncertainty?

Existentialism doesn’t offer answers wrapped in neat packages. Instead, it challenges us to create them. Thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre (Zhawn-Pawl Sahr-truh), Simone de Beauvoir (See-mohn duh Boh-vwar), and Albert Camus (Al-bair Kah-moo) push us to confront freedom and responsibility head-on, to live authentically, and to find solidarity in a chaotic world. Imagine navigating the emotional weight of political turmoil, such as a contentious election or sweeping policy changes. Existentialism invites us not to escape these struggles but to find meaning within them.

Freedom and Responsibility: Owning Our Choices

Jean-Paul Sartre didn’t mince words when he wrote: “Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.” Freedom, as exhilarating as it may sound, carries a heavy burden. It means that in every moment, especially in times of political upheaval, we must choose.

Consider this: a new policy threatens the rights of a vulnerable group. Freedom means we can’t ignore it or hope someone else will take action. Instead, we must decide: do we educate ourselves and join the fight, or do we remain passive? Viktor Frankl (Frank-uhl), a Holocaust survivor, reminds us in Man’s Search for Meaningthat even in the direst circumstances, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

Practically, this might look like attending a town hall to voice your concerns or writing to your representatives. It could be having a conversation with a friend who holds opposing views, choosing patience and clarity over heated argument. Even the simple act of standing firm in your values, refusing to compromise on what matters most, is an expression of responsibility. Freedom isn’t about what happens to us—it’s about what we do with what happens.

Confronting the Absurd: Finding Meaning in Chaos

Albert Camus describes the absurd as the clash between our hunger for meaning and the universe’s silence. It’s a tension we feel acutely in times of turmoil. Political chaos often brings this absurdity into sharp focus; we long for justice, fairness, and order, but the world offers no guarantees.

Imagine feeling disillusioned after an election, where the results seem to undermine everything you value. Or witnessing widespread inequality and asking, Why is it like this? Camus doesn’t tell us to ignore the chaos or pretend it doesn’t matter. Instead, he invites us to respond. In The Myth of Sisyphus (Sis-uh-fuss), he writes: “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

For example, volunteering for a cause you care about, even when it feels like a drop in an ocean of need, becomes an act of defiance. So does pursuing creative expression, whether through writing, art, or simply sharing your perspective in conversations. These small acts remind us that meaning isn’t something we find; it’s something we make.

Authenticity: Living in Alignment with Values

For existentialists, authenticity is more than a buzzword. It’s a call to live truthfully, even when that truth is uncomfortable. Simone de Beauvoir captures this challenge in The Ethics of Ambiguity: “To will oneself free is also to will others free.” Authenticity is not just self-expression; it’s a responsibility to foster freedom and dignity for all.

Take the example of standing up against a policy that marginalizes certain groups. Authenticity requires that we reflect deeply on our values and ask: Am I acting in a way that aligns with what I believe? It might look like attending protests or donating to organizations that fight for justice. Or perhaps it’s having the courage to call out harmful rhetoric in your personal circles.

Authenticity also extends to smaller, everyday actions. Are you treating others with kindness and respect? Are you prioritizing what matters most to you, even when it’s inconvenient? Living authentically demands that we make uncomfortable but necessary choices, ensuring that our actions align with the world we hope to create.

Solidarity: Embracing Our Shared Struggle

Existentialism often emphasizes individuality, but it also recognizes our deep interconnectedness. Sartre’s concept of being-for-others reminds us that our freedom is tied to the freedom of those around us. We are not isolated beings; we are threads in a shared human tapestry.

Imagine standing side by side with strangers at a protest, all of you shouting for the same cause. Or sitting with someone whose experience differs from yours and choosing to listen, not to respond, but to understand. Solidarity could mean sharing your platform to amplify voices that often go unheard or offering practical help, like childcare or transportation, to those participating in activism.

Even small gestures can strengthen the fabric of solidarity. Checking in on a friend who feels disheartened by current events, offering support without judgment, or simply showing up can remind us that we are never alone in our struggles.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Path

Existentialism doesn’t promise an easy path. It asks us to confront life’s chaos, to embrace the weight of freedom, and to take responsibility for creating meaning. By living authentically and fostering solidarity, we step into a world that is uncertain yet full of possibility.

Moments like the presidential inauguration stir strong emotions—hope, fear, frustration. But they are also invitations: to reflect on what truly matters and to choose how we act. Will we embrace our freedom and responsibility? Will we find meaning in the struggle? Will we stand not just for ourselves but with others?

Maybe it starts with something small: writing that email, offering help to a neighbor, or even taking a quiet moment to reflect on your values. The choice is yours to make, and in making it, you take a step toward creating the world you want to see. Meaning isn’t handed to us, it’s built one decision at a time. What will you create today?

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