So I'm at a point in my life where I can't see the point in life... I can't tell if the results of my life are the product of my own choices or a predetermined path. Rather than self-indulgently spill my guts onto this page as a manner of self therapy I would simply like to know if you have had an existential crisis, and if so, how did you deal with it/ overcome it (if at all).
I don't think I've had a true existential crisis, but I've definitely had my doubts about my future. It can be scary to think about, especially since a lot of my former classmates have seemingly moved on with their lives to bigger and better things, and here I am on a forum at 2:30 in the morning, not writing a paper, and working a part time job.
But then I think I've got 50 years in front of me, future me can handle all of it
Had one a few years ago. I didn't handle it very well and it took focusing myself on only the most basic necessities to prevent everything from spiraling totally out of control.
I've been limping along and slowly deteriorating ever since. As it stands, I'm pretty sure that I'm trying to push everybody I know away so that when I do finally kill myself nobody will be hurt by it.
Had one when I was 16-22. Grew out of it, eventually.
You create your own prison of misery, while you can quite easily break out of it. You don't have to be unhappy. There's a comfort in being sad, but there's a greater awesomeness in being happy (or, at least, average).
So I'm at a point in my life where I can't see the point in life... I can't tell if the results of my life are the product of my own choices or a predetermined path. Rather than self-indulgently spill my guts onto this page as a manner of self therapy I would simply like to know if you have had an existential crisis, and if so, how did you deal with it/ overcome it (if at all).
Probably everyone has some kind of existential crisis at some point, it just varies between people how much they are bothered by it.
I mean, it makes sense, doesn't it?You as a person or individual have no meaning, and your life will have no meaning in the long run. Maybe 100 years from your death someone will still remember you, but they will die as well.
Your studies, career or possible ambitions mean jack shit.
As much as anyone would like to think that we as beings are more than the sum of our parts... we really aren't.
You, as a person, are a sum of your social experiences, genes, chemistry and memories, and I believe these things are what guide you. While for example I may think that I have the free will to decide to post or not post into this thread, I will always in the current situation decide to post, since that is the decision that my previously mentioned components make for me.
Human beings ain't that different from animals. In the same way as Pavlov conditioned the dog, Watson conditioned the baby Albert to be afraid of hairy things.
Then people say that you should find meaning in love, but even that seems to be a response to some other person's qualities that are dictated by your qualities. While the circumstances are different in different situations thanks to other people, your "pre-generated" response doesn't change. Then when you get into a relationship, studies indicate that serotonine, dopamine and the like start acting in your brain, which gives you the good feeling that you get from a relationship. Then the effects wear off in couple of weeks/couple of months. It has also been noted that oxytocin could be related to long term relationships as it's levels start to increase and it is suspected that it creates the sort of feeling of "belonging together", which is of course necessary from a biological point of view to make sure that the offspring dont die before they get to mate.
So, at least that's some of my opinions on the subject of what our existence amounts to.
Then again, all of this could be wrong and scientists could find a "soul" that gives us free will tomorrow.
That's the interesting part: we don't know for sure.
So how do you resolve your existential crisis? Well, you just deal with it.
Three options as I see it.
1. Convince yourself about the meaning of something and start doing it and/or religion
2. Just give up
3. Accept the fact that you mean jackshit, and carry on
My biggest existential crisis up until now was when I was around twenty.
However, the whole pointlessness of living has been, and always will be a issue for me.
My solution so far is to accept that, and be numb.
Sometimes I think life has become such a rut that I wonder if I randomly beat someone with a chair in a class that the world would even notice, as if it's unable to change or react to change.
Hell yes I've been through them. A few years back I was in a couple of Philosophy classes, and after writing my final submissions I had inadvertently become a determinist. That coupled with some existentialism is plenty to drive somebody to depression.
Best advice- just be fatalistic about these things. Even if you determine that life has no meaning, or that you have no free will, or any other deep crisis that tends to stem from these things- do what I did: resolve to enjoy yourself anyways. The best thing I ever did for my brain was resolve to not give a damn whether or not anything I did meant anything- or if anybody else was even real. Do I still have those scary moments? Sure; but resolving to not actually care about the truth of the situation did me a lot of good. Willful ignorance is bliss in this case- you can still think about these things but it is within your capability to ignore them.
Been there done that type of thing.
Had existentian cryses, couple of them, contemplated suicide, felt like there is no life for me ahead. You know what helped - change of enviroment. and i dont mean moving. i dropped the current internet comunities, found others, made friends, took a summer job and suddenly i discovered meaning of life, it is to make myself happy. and i work towards it. Sadly its not easy, as while i am easily pleased, i do find myself biding to the goal of making world a better place. and thats not easy.
OniaPL said:
1. Convince yourself about the meaning of something and start doing it and/or religion
While you dont look stupid or trolling, you jut told the person to get religiuos? i am dissapoint
Paladin2905 said:
Hell yes I've been through them. A few years back I was in a couple of Philosophy classes, and after writing my final submissions I had inadvertently become a determinist.
Nothing wrong with determinism. Its just that people do not understand it. Nothing happens randomly, but the things that happen are decided by trillions of trillions factors that happen at quantum level and thus is pretty much impossible to predict realistically. we group these things up, we have electrons, brains, behavior patters, social norms, but its all about movements of quantum particles and thats why most people fail to grasp determinism.
While I didn't assume that you can't type properly or present an actual counterargument to my argument, I was wrong. I am disappoint.
Religion isn't inherently bad or good, right or wrong or any other things. While I am not religious, I don't see a reason why I should be hating on those with faith. Isn't it everybody's own business what they choose to believe as long as it doesn't actively harm others in a physical way?
Religion gives some people meaning.
That's what religion is. Trusting in an invisible, higher force as an attempt to explain their own existence, and the world around them, and that way religion gives meaning to people's lives.
Do you disagree with this assessment? Or did you just jump on the word "religion" blindly "'cause this be the internet and we all must be hatin' on dat shit 'cause dem crusades, fundamentalists and shit, yo?
Religion isn't inherently bad or good, right or wrong or any other things. While I am not religious, I don't see a reason why I should be hating on those with faith. Isn't it everybody's own business what they choose to believe as long as it doesn't actively harm others in a physical way?
While that is true in theory, falls short in practice, as all popular religions survive by blind belief and zealous recruitment while shunning from disbelievers. Other religions do not survive the religion wars long. I have no argument with a person who has a belief and thats it. However when they go around telling me i will burn in because i dont believe, sorry, i dont want you to direct people to be like that.
That's what religion is. Trusting in an invisible, higher force as an attempt to explain their own existence, and the world around them, and that way religion gives meaning to people's lives.
God of Gaps is why we had dark ages. Humanity is halted by God of Gaps.
Do you disagree with this assessment? Or did you just jump on the word "religion" blindly "'cause this be the internet and we all must be hatin' on dat shit 'cause dem crusades, fundamentalists and shit, yo?
I have been discussing religion for many years now, i have my arguments, but i guess i forgot this site never assumes knowledge when there isnt proof. my bad in this case, anything mroe specific you want to know my stance on?
Nope, not ever. I have both short and long term goals that give reason to my life and in case that everything would fail I still have religion to back it up.
I don't think so. But then again, I don't put too much thought into that kind of thing. Makes it harder to focus on what's important.
Spinozaad said:
Had one when I was 16-22. Grew out of it, eventually.
You create your own prison of misery, while you can quite easily break out of it. You don't have to be unhappy. There's a comfort in being sad, but there's a greater awesomeness in being happy (or, at least, average).
Religion isn't inherently bad or good, right or wrong or any other things. While I am not religious, I don't see a reason why I should be hating on those with faith. Isn't it everybody's own business what they choose to believe as long as it doesn't actively harm others in a physical way?
While that is true in theory, falls short in practice, as all popular religions survive by blind belief and zealous recruitment while shunning from disbelievers. Other religions do not survive the religion wars long. I have no argument with a person who has a belief and thats it. However when they go around telling me i will burn in because i dont believe, sorry, i dont want you to direct people to be like that.
Well, then your experiences must be very different from mine, as I have never had someone walk up to me and tell me that I will burn in hell because of yadda yadda yadda, nor have any of the religious people I know shunned me because I am not one of them.
Many people believe in god or something supernatural, and they do not actively try to convert others or shun them. While every religious has their own bit more extreme sides, so does every institution/organization. You saying that all religious folks are bad is the same as me saying that all yankees are bad because of Snookie.
This person asked where he could find meaning to his life. I answered that religion might offer it. I did not say that "go christian and go all inquisition on their ass!".
Lottery and religion are two different entities which do not belong in the same category, you can't compare them. I fail to see what you intended to convey with this comparison.
And how do you determine "a good cause"? There is no universal, objective good cause.
Strazdas said:
OniaPL said:
That's what religion is. Trusting in an invisible, higher force as an attempt to explain their own existence, and the world around them, and that way religion gives meaning to people's lives.
But that's on humanity, not religion itself. Besides, the dark ages can't be compared to modern ages since during the dark ages and before them religion played an important part in the affairs of the state while in the modern world religion largely does not have much of a say when it comes to politics, legislation or similar affairs that could hinder the scientific progress that other people strive for.
Third world countries are a different matter, of course.
He probably hasn't touched his badge order since the change. When they changed it to display 5 badges, you'd still only show 4 until you changed your order, whereupon it would change to 5.
OT: Nope, never had one. That's probably the joy of living for myself.
I've had periodic panic attacks to do with fearing death, ever since I lost my religion.
In November I got something like this full on. Fearing death, fearing ageing, fearing how short life is, fearing eternal non-existence, fearing how futile life is no matter how good or bad it is. Preys on your thoughts all the time. It peaked around Christmas time. Worst thing about it is feeling that even if I got over it I'd just be ignoring the problem I've realised here.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
