Discovering Meaning in Life: Essentialism vs. Existentialism

Explore the philosophical debate between essentialism and existentialism, and learn how these ideas influence our understanding of life's meaning and purpose.

Essentialism: Born with a Purpose

Ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle believed in essentialism, the idea that everything has an essence – a set of core properties necessary for a thing to be what it is. They thought that our essences exist before we are born, and living up to our essence is part of what it means to be a good human. This belief suggests that your essence gives you a purpose, as you were born to be a certain thing. Essentialism was the standard view of the universe until the late 19th century and is still accepted by many people today.

Existentialism: Creating Our Own Meaning

In the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, some thinkers, such as German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and French thinker Jean-Paul Sartre, began to challenge the idea of essentialism. Nietzsche embraced nihilism, the belief in the ultimate meaninglessness of life. Sartre, on the other hand, proposed existentialism, arguing that we exist first and create our own meaning and essence through our actions and decisions.

The Pursuit of Meaning

Many people devote a significant amount of energy to finding meaning in their lives, whether through religion, social justice, education, or artistic expression. The existentialists argue that any or all of these things can give your life meaning, but at the same time, none of them inherently can. This view emphasizes the importance of individual choice and responsibility in creating one's own purpose.

In conclusion,

The philosophical debate between essentialism and existentialism shapes our understanding of life's meaning and purpose. Essentialism posits that we are born with an essence that defines our purpose, while existentialism emphasizes individual choice and responsibility in creating our own meaning. Ultimately, reflecting on these ideas can help us better understand our own lives and the ways in which we seek meaning and purpose.