Navigating the Abyss: The Existential Weight of "Everyday Existentialism" and the Quest for Meaning
A loyal subscriber, identifying herself only as Edie, reached out to prominent YouTuber and philosopher Geoffrey Klempner with a profound question that resonated deeply with many viewers: Does grappling with the monumental questions of existence—"Why am I here? Who am I?"—become easier with time? Edie, under twenty years old, confessed to feeling "crushed under the weight of these questions," a sentiment that Klempner acknowledges as a familiar, albeit complex, human experience.
Klempner’s thoughtful response, far from offering a simple salve, delves into the very nature of feelings, the logic of emotions, and the potential for a liberating reorientation towards life’s ultimate uncertainties. This article explores the nuanced dialogue, examining the concept of "everyday existentialism," the philosophical framework for understanding our emotional responses to life’s profound questions, and the implications for individuals navigating this often-overwhelming existential terrain.
The Dawn of Existential Awareness: A Subscriber’s Plea
Edie’s email, reproduced in full above, is a poignant testament to the universal human impulse to seek meaning and purpose. Her admiration for Klempner’s YouTube videos stems from his ability to articulate complex philosophical ideas in an accessible manner. She identifies with his frequent discussions on questioning fundamental aspects of existence, a practice she labels "everyday existentialism."
"I almost feel crushed under the weight of these questions and I’m not even 20," Edie writes, her words carrying the raw vulnerability of youth confronting the vastness of the unknown. Her plea is not for answers, but for a glimmer of hope, an assurance that this overwhelming burden might, with the passage of time, lessen its grip. This sentiment, echoed by countless individuals at various stages of life, highlights the persistent human struggle with existential angst.
Klempner’s Philosophical Unpacking: Deconstructing "Feeling Crushed"
Geoffrey Klempner, in his characteristic style, embraces Edie’s term "everyday existentialism" while gently pushing back against the potential for philosophical jargon to obscure rather than illuminate. He encourages a fresh perspective, urging individuals to shed preconceived notions about existentialism and approach these profound questions with an open mind.
The core of Klempner’s response lies in his challenge to the inherent justification of feelings. He questions Edie’s feeling of being "crushed," not to invalidate it, but to probe its underlying assumptions. "Are feelings self-justifying?" he asks, prompting a deeper examination of how we perceive and accept our emotional states. He draws a parallel to societal expectations, suggesting that just as individuals are expected to overcome discomfort in the presence of those from different backgrounds, perhaps certain feelings, even those related to existential inquiry, can be consciously managed or transformed.
This leads Klempner to introduce a concept from contemporary analytic philosophy: the "formal object" of feelings. He illustrates this with a thought experiment involving pride in a trash can. The logical absurdity of feeling proud of a mundane object, regardless of its cleanliness, highlights that certain feelings, by their very nature, are not logically coherent or appropriate in specific contexts. While acknowledging human capacity for illogicality, Klempner uses this example to underscore that our emotional responses are not always as straightforward or as automatically valid as we might assume.
The Existential Lexicon: A Survey of Appropriately "Existential" Feelings
Klempner then pivots to the historical and philosophical discourse surrounding existentialism, listing a series of emotions commonly associated with grappling with ultimate questions: "Fear and trembling," "Anxiety," "Anguish," "Vertigo," "Nausea," and even "Hilarity." He notes, with a touch of wry observation, that "feeling crushed" isn’t typically found in this established lexicon of existential emotions.
He then invites the reader to consider concrete scenarios that might evoke a feeling of being "crushed"—rejection, professional failure, or unexpected financial burdens. By dissecting these situations, Klempner aims to reveal the common threads that bind them, suggesting that these feelings, while powerful, are often tied to specific external circumstances or perceived failures rather than the abstract nature of existential inquiry itself.
This analysis serves as a bridge to his central argument: that when confronting the ultimate questions of existence, there is no predetermined "appropriate" feeling. Even when overwhelmed by a particular emotion, we may not truly know what the correct emotional response should be. This uncertainty, he contends, mirrors the experience of the prejudiced individual or the person inexplicably proud of a trash can; the feeling may be present, but its logical grounding is questionable.
The Liberating Logic of Not Knowing How to Feel
Klempner proposes an avenue for philosophical investigation that bypasses the pursuit of definitive answers to existential questions. Instead, he advocates for an exploration of the "logic of feeling" itself. This approach, he suggests, might lead to a surprising conclusion: that perhaps there is no single, historically unprecedented feeling that a human being could experience that would be truly "appropriate" in the face of existential unknowns.
The profound implication of this realization is not one of despair, but of liberation. If there is no mandated emotional response to the fundamental questions of life, then individuals are freed from the pressure of feeling a particular way. The "crushed" feeling, therefore, becomes a choice, or at least a state that can be consciously re-evaluated and potentially transformed.
Klempner suggests a shift towards "healthy curiosity" as a more energizing and productive response. This curiosity, he argues, can be a catalyst for broader learning and a more engaged approach to life, echoing his earlier sentiment that "philosophers should know lots of things besides philosophy."
The Aim of Philosophy: Orientation, Not Just Knowledge
The article culminates in Klempner’s contemplation of the ultimate aim of philosophy. He questions whether the pursuit of knowledge is the primary goal, or if philosophy’s true purpose lies in "orienting ourselves towards reality." This orientation, he suggests, involves finding a "course of action that is most appropriate to our recognition of the ultimate questions."
He candidly admits that this area remains a frontier, with no philosopher having made significant, widely recognized progress. He even muses whether this endeavor might transcend the traditional definition of philosophy, perhaps bordering on a novel form of "theology," emphasizing that the label itself is less important than the substance of the inquiry. The provocative suggestion that one doesn’t need to believe in God to be a theologian challenges conventional boundaries and invites a broader understanding of spiritual and existential exploration.
Implications for the "Everyday Existentialist"
Edie’s initial question, while seemingly simple, opens a vast landscape of philosophical inquiry. Klempner’s response offers a framework for understanding and navigating the often-turbulent waters of existential contemplation.
- Challenging Emotional Certainty: The notion that feelings, even deeply felt ones like being "crushed," are not inherently self-justifying is a powerful insight. It empowers individuals to question their emotional responses and to consider whether these feelings are truly serving them or are perhaps conditioned or misapplied.
- The Power of Curiosity: Shifting from a feeling of being overwhelmed to one of active curiosity can fundamentally alter one’s relationship with existential questions. Curiosity fosters engagement, learning, and a sense of agency, transforming potential burdens into opportunities for growth.
- Reorientation, Not Resolution: Klempner’s emphasis on "orientation" suggests that the goal of existential inquiry may not be to arrive at definitive answers, but to develop a more robust and appropriate way of being in the world, given our awareness of life’s ultimate mysteries.
- The Ongoing Philosophical Journey: The acknowledgment that this is an uncharted territory underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of philosophical thought. It encourages individuals to embrace the journey of inquiry, even without guaranteed destinations.
For Edie, and for countless others who find themselves wrestling with the profound questions of existence, Klempner’s response offers not a simple answer, but a profound re-framing. It suggests that the weight of existentialism, while undeniably present, may not be an immutable burden, but rather a call to a more nuanced, curious, and ultimately, more liberating way of engaging with the fundamental mysteries of life. The path may be challenging, but the potential for a richer, more purposeful existence lies in embracing the inquiry itself, and in learning to navigate the abyss with open eyes and a curious heart.
