Existential theory about the meaning of life
Existential psychology does not assume determinism in order to explain human behavior, rather it means that people are free to choose their own existence and that the most important cause of behavior is subjective reality. This current of thought is based on the basic concepts of existentialism. Philosophical vision that emphasizes the importance of existence, the responsibility of our own existence or what we are and can be, the freedom, the meaning of life, authenticity, and living or dying. The basic principles or elements of existentialism are:
- Existence goes on the essence
- The human being cannot be divided between subject and object
- The meaning of life is obtained through actions
- The human being is responsible for what it is and what will be
- Be and not be in the world
Theories shape people losing or thus minimizing the authenticity of their experiences. Existentialism considers that the problems of the human being emerge from the difficulties encountered by the mere fact of living. Existing in the world can cause normal or neurotic anxiety. Anxiety occurs as a result of having to deal with important issues or issues of life, such as living and dying;freedom, responsibility and election;isolation and affection;and meaning and meaningless. When dealing with these issues, people fight for their authenticity and self-importance . On the other hand, the phenomenological approach establishes that reality is unique and subjective of each person. Existential psychology has influence and basis for Kierkegaard’s existentialist philosophy, Heidegger and Sartre. Danish theologian and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was opposed to the human as a simple object, and rejected the idea that subjective perceptions were the only reality, and also gave importance to freedom and responsibility.
In the same way human beings reach their freedom when they extend their self-awareness and take responsibility for their actions. Likewise freedom and responsibility produce anxiety which brings with it pain and suffering. On the other hand, Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is known as the father of existentialism Employment The phenomenological method to analyze human existence. It gives way to the concept or "being in the world" which refers to the examination of oneself, of others and the relationship with the world, thus achieving high levels of consciousness. The Dasein indicates that the world and the subject are inseparable, thus describing the relationship between the world and the subject, "being there", the now and now. That is, to exist in the world, and existence is constantly becoming something different, changing. That is, men choose the nature of their own existence. It is "is" or "we are" in a three -dimensional world: Unwelt, Miltwelt and Eigewelt.
For existentialists a well -balanced person can live in the three dimensions mentioned above. On the other hand, Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) whose philosophy remains one of the most recognized and most important stated that "existence precedes the essence" which means that the human being at every moment needs to choose what whatIt will be the next moment;only existing may be. The essence is what is done and existence is the continuous process of change. According to Sartre “the essence is what will define us, what we will build from ourselves through our actions. It is our actions that determine who we are and give meaning to our lives ".
Another of the theorists of the important existential theory was the phenomenological psychologist Ludwig Binswanger (1881-1966) which decided to understand the existence in a scientific way. Through phenomenology he moved towards existential analytics. His thought was influenced by Martin Heidegger’s philosophy by adopting his terms and concepts, the first and most important Dasein, following Heidegger’s line of thinking, ‘being there’ is never indifferent, since we are constantly in the world, withthe others and in ourselves. We are committed or wrapped with life. We can do many things, but neglect is not one of them.
On the other hand, the most prominent psychologist and spokesman for existential psychology in the United States was Roll May (1909-1994) who develops a new approach to study human beings based on their clinical experience. For May, human beings live in the world of present experiences and are responsible for their life. Similarly, many human beings have no value to deal with their destiny, and when they flee from this renunciation of their freedom. When denying freedom, they flee the responsibility for not being willing to make decisions. On the other hand, those balanced people question destiny, value their freedom they live authentically, recognize death and have courage to live the present.
According to May, so that the human being can obtain his own and individual freedom, it is essential and essential to accept and recognize his destiny in this way, it can be fully existing, at the same time expanding his possibilities or its limits. In May the theory anxiety is visualized as an essential component of being that seeks its freedom and its expression. Anxiety is divided into: normal anxiety and neurotic anxiety. Anxiety is part of the nature of being. The human being has the ability to choose. This refers to freedom as “the individual’s ability to know that it is determined to do something” (May 1967). Therefore, freedom occurs when we accept our destiny.
For May, there are two types of freedom: existential freedom, we exist within limitations imposed by destiny where the individual has the ability to choose or act according to their own decisions, and the essential freedom in which the individual is related toThe world accepts its limitations and reacts. May, defined destiny as those factors that can influence and affect human beings such as biological features, genetic predispositions, psychological, cultural factors, to the mind, or everything that the individual can control but that could be visualized asan obstacle. Finally, intentionality is the way in which human beings relate to the world around them, giving meaning to their environment.
In conclusion, existential approach or theory focuses on the human being, on the way it is emerging and transforming. Existentialists suggest that there is no truth or reality for us as human beings except to the extent that we participate in it, we are aware and have some relationship with this reality. When studying the structure of human existence, the very nature of the subject molds to science that investigates it. Individuals are considered as beings with free options that are responsible for their actions. Each of us works their own destiny, and we are what we do.
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