The Essence Of Life And Our Purpose Essay - 1835 Words

The essence of life and our purpose in it are the types of questions that lurk in the back of many of our minds. When these questions arise, we can either develop our thoughts, or we can ignore the question all together. Questioning life and our meaning in it is what develops our mode of consciousness, or in other words, our self awareness, which then impacts our actions. Someone with a developed answer or an idea of the essence of life will have a good understanding of themselves and their duties on Earth. Although, someone who ignores the question, will become not much of a human at all, but more a thoughtless and purposeless group of living cells. A person without a mode of consciousness will not be able to live a meaningful life, and therefore they will conduct himself or herself in a careless and greedy manner through his or her actions. This connection between somebody’s state of mind and their actions is expressed in both Karen Armstrong’s work, â€Å"Homo Relig iosus† and Charles Siebert’s, â€Å"An Elephant Crackup?†. Both authors give examples of how a human’s modes of consciousness reflects the outcome of that human’s actions. Specifically the authors focus on actions such as taking the life of an animal, seeking answers through religion or science, and participating in physical acts and emotional therapies. In essence, people’s mode of consciousness directly affects their behavior, which means that their mode of consciousness can be revealed through their actions. MostShow MoreRelatedExistentialism is largely summed up in the quote â€Å"existence precedes essence.† Life is devoid of1000 Words   |  4 Pages Existentialism is largely summed up in the quote â€Å"existence precedes essence.† Life is devoid of inherent meaning aside from the human existence. Put simply, you are put on earth without any idea of what the meaning of your life is, it is up to you to create meaning for your life and each individual may find a different meaning. What are the main arguments against existentialism? Why does the preservation of life matter to us in a world devoid of meaning? In this essay I will summarize what existentialismRead MoreSartre s Views On Human Beings Essay1302 Words   |  6 Pagesthat essence comes before existence for artificial artefacts, for example a paper knife. However, this claim set forth is differed when it comes to human beings as Sartre argues that in this instance existence precedes essence as humans first exist and define their purpose through existing. However, this according to Sartre is not an individualistic view but what one man does will define all of manki nd as there is no prior essence of human beings thus the image is fashioned in our actions, our thoughtsRead MoreRejection of Existentialism Essays837 Words   |  4 Pagesdefines the unifying factor of existentialism, (for both atheist and deist alike), as the belief that existence precedes essence. To help illustrate his point he presents the example of a paper knife, an object that possess a set of qualities that enable it to carry out its purpose. He states that it would not have been created without a particular purpose, therefore its essence precedes its existence. (Sartre) Sartre rejects this idea when it comes to mankind and declares that humans in themselvesRead MoreExistentialism : A Philosophical Movement907 Words   |  4 Pagesconsidered a philosophical movement established after World War II. People in this movement examined the problem of life for human beings. Each existentialist believes that life is absurd and has no meaning. Their common concern was with the â€Å"human condition†. Existentialists have differing evaluations of the human condition but all of them believe that â€Å"existence precedes essence†. This means that people are born without pre-existing or pre-determined circumstances or rules by which to conduct theirRead MoreExistentialism And How This Philosophical Theory Has Developed Over The Years1443 Words   |  6 Pagesthe meaning of life? Among other vital questions asked by humans over the course of history. Existentialism is a term derived from the idea that human being has freedom and choice and through this how a person can give meaning to his own life. This theory stresses upon individual existence and that through one’s own rationality one can find true purpose of his life in this irrational world. This theory revolves around the central idea that we create ourselves and that through our actions we createRead MoreJean-Paul Sartre’s Philosophy: Radical Freedom and Responsibility 1253 Words   |  6 Pagestheir own essence through their choices and that our values and choices are important because they allow man to be free and create their own existence. I will first do this by explaining Jean-Paul Sartre’s quote, then by thoroughly stating Sartre’s theory, and then by opposing objections raised against Sartre’s theory. When Sartre says, â€Å"We are left alone, without excuse. That is what I mean to say that man is condemned to be free† (Sartre 32), he is speaking of man’s autonomous life; which isRead More2000 Ny Obituaries, Top 5 Regrets Of The Dying And 75-Year869 Words   |  4 Pages2000 NY Obituaries, Top 5 Regrets of the Dying and 75-Year Enduring Study On Happiness Reveal What Makes a Great Life. The owners of the sexiest job of 21st century, data scientists own the words - actionable insights. The best among them do. Jostled in my mind is a thought – an electrifying thought. Can those words, ‘actionable insights’ and ‘the essence of a good, successful life’ appear in the same sentence? If so, where can we find them? Here are my snippets. The Monk Who Sold His FerrariRead MoreThe Confession By Leo Tolstoy1661 Words   |  7 Pages– The Confession Many people find themselves in a mid-life crisis when they reflect on what is the real meaning of human life. Leo Tolstoy wrote his literal interpretation of God’s teachings. Towards his golden years, the writer rejected privileges and wealth and became a wandering ascetic. At the height of his career, he encountered a midlife crisis which revolutionized his views towards life. Tolstoy said that he considered ending his life since he no longer understood the meaning of it. He wroteRead MoreEssay on Consciousness: Are We All In This Together?1266 Words   |  6 Pagesprocess of becoming aware, finding the purpose of our consciousness, and building morals and intelligence from that awareness that entangles those who search for answers in a web of utter confusion. In beginning my search for the understanding of consciousness, I chose to look into the thoughts and beliefs of Karl Marx and Jean-Paul Sartre. Marx and Sartre are similar in their philosophy in that they both agree that our existence defines the essence(s) of our consciousness, but they differ when discussingRead MoreComparing Plato s Xi Of The Republic1376 Words   |  6 Pagesreality and gives the means to be able to reach the ultimate Form of existence through knowledge and purpose, rather than belief. Socrates begins his argument by introducing the analogy of the sun. He says that the sun is to the visible realm, the realm of reality and our perception, to what the Good is to the realm of intellect and the Forms. The sun is our source of light; it is responsible for our visibility just as the Good is the source of the realm of intellect. We need to understand the Good