Existentialism as an Optimistic Idea

The philosophy of existentialism is usually considered as one attached to negative notions of angst, gloom, hopelessness and despair. The works such as Camus’ “The Outsider” and Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” present an indifferent world that is not really bothered with human feelings and emotions. Even the protagonists are seen as full of absurdity that is projected around them and they more or less embody that absurdity. However, that is merely one single way of looking at the existential thought, a way that views human existence as futile and meaningless.

There is an entirely new approach to studying existentialism, which is full of positivity, potential, purpose, and optimism. The fact that one is going to die sooner or later and that one does not know how or when must certainly make one a free being without doubt. This fact must clearly flash to one's consciousness so as to make him truly alive, for now, he has realized all the power resides in himself and there is no superior power that controls his actions. That is perhaps what Sartre meant, in his ‘The Aftermath of War’, when clearly points out, “Never were we freer than under the German Occupation.” That is precisely the beauty of the philosophy of existentialism that one is rendered entirely free to choose one’s actions.

Existentialism cannot be seen as just another fashion or historical curiosity, because it has something important to offer to the new century, which is losing the real virtues of living life passionately, of taking responsibility for their actions, and of feeling good about life. Sartre once said that he never really felt a day of despair in his life. It is not a sense of anguish that existential philosophy brings out. It is the sense of an exuberance of feeling on top of it. It’s more like: One’s life is for him/her to create.

When Sartre talks about responsibilities, he does not talk about any abstract notion. There is something concrete to it. It is about the individual, talking, creating, making decisions and taking the actions and consequences. There are over six billion people in the world and nevertheless, what one individual does with his/her life shall make a difference. It makes a difference in material terms and to other people as it sets an example. The message is simple: one should never write oneself off and see oneself as a victim of various external forces. It is always one's decision as to who he/she actually is or wants to be.

Thus, every individual possesses an unlimited potential to transform his/her life in unpredictable and unexpected ways. One such example occurs in Sartre's "The Wall" when Ibbieta jokily tells the officials that Gris lives in the graveyard and later on learns that they have actually found him in the graveyard. Although Ibbieta was not sure about Gris’ location and did not control Gris's destiny, he still controlled his own potential. Sartre may have optimistically illustrated through Ibbieta that one carries limitless potential that may be used to shape his/her life.

-- Praveen Kumar Singhmar