Beyond Existentialism

A Focus on Existence

Existentialism tends to focus on the question of human existence — the feeling that there is no purpose, indeed nothing, at the core of existence. Finding a way to counter this nothingness, by embracing existence, is the fundamental theme of existentialism, and the root of the philosophy's name. Given that someone who believes in reality might be called a "realist", and someone who believes in a deity might be called a "theist", therefore someone who believes fundamentally only in existence, and seeks to find meaning in his or her life solely by embracing existence, is an existentialist.

Perspectives on God
Some existentialists accept Nietzsche's proclamation that "God is dead"; they believe that the concept of God is obsolete.

Some existentialists, like Kierkegaard, conceive the fundamental existentialist question as man's relationship to God.

Theological existentialism, as advocated by philosophers and theologians (including Paul Tillich, Gabriel Marcel, and Martin Buber), shares tenets and themes that are central to atheistic existentialism. Just as atheistic existentialists can freely choose not to believe in God, theistic existentialists can freely choose to believe in God and, despite doubt, have faith that God exists. Belief in God is a personal choice made on the basis of a passion, faith, observation, or experience.

A further type of existentialist is agnostic existentialists, who make no claim to know whether or not there is a "greater picture"; rather, they simply assert that the greatest truth is that which the individual chooses to act upon. They feel that to know the greater picture, whether there is one or not, is impossible, or impossible so far, or of little value. Like the Christian existentialists, the agnostic believes existence is subjective.

**My view that neither existentialism, realist, and theist is an adequate term to identify our existence...perhaps a combination of those 3 may have a better protrait of my personal perspective in being alive living at this curent stage.

There's nothing wrong with embracing in existence as to find out purpose by keep on trying, yet sometimes you cannot argue that u have to face the hard truth/reality despite of your freedom of will. Reality is a fact shaped by either the world/society/culture/economy/politics. Although it seems like we have the freedom of will to choose whatever we like, but in a sense in a larger realm we are stuck in this world where we are helpless to changed the environment and society around us thus left us fewer selections in hand for us to make choices. We are stuck in what's left for us to choose....so do we really have the choice? Not really I think...we're just deceiving ourselves that from the given available options of A,B,C...yes we have freedom to choose. Yet....why can't we choose D, E, F...or Z??

Our existence has nothing to do with your choice or mine to be born in this world...it's something greater. We seem to have control over our lives onced we are in this world. Yet, we don't know what'll happen tomorrow such as either I am going to be alive or not. I cannot control myself to not grow old, nor can my dad choose to live even just 1 more day!

With existentialism...it might lead to some people become more self-centred for believing having the ability to achieve anything by themselves or by their own will power.

With realists...sometimes seem too pessimistic about the inferiority in changing the world or even having any actual influences in their surroundings.

I believe it is important to remain positive even in adversity. By doing so will provide a positive attitude knowing there's a greater creator that controls the universe for all we have to do is try our best. WE DO WHAT WE CAN, AND LET GOD DO WHAT WE CAN'T! Keeping a positive outlook not only cheer up ourselves; moreover,most importantly it gives others a glance of that our true motivation comes from above. God gives us the true joy so it overflows that we share with our loved ones. That we feel confidence in what we do, and offer what we can whenever we see someone in need.

Still..I find helping people provides the true joy in heart.