On Being and Becoming
An Existentialist Approach to Life
byJennifer Anna Gosetti-Ferencei
Book Edition Details
Summary
"On Being and Becoming: An Existentialist Approach to Life (2021) is simultaneously an introduction to the diverse philosophy of existentialism and a guide to living a meaningful life. Drawing on a broad range of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century existentialist writers, the book unpacks the movement's core themes—like freedom, choice, authenticity, and transcending circumstances—and explains how these insights can promote creative responses to life's biggest questions."
Introduction
What does it mean to truly live? In a world where we often feel overwhelmed by external pressures and predetermined paths, this fundamental question becomes increasingly urgent. Many of us find ourselves caught between the expectations of others and our own authentic desires, struggling to understand who we are and what we're meant to become. This philosophical crisis of meaning and purpose has never been more relevant than in our contemporary age of constant connectivity yet profound isolation. Existentialism emerges as a powerful framework for understanding the human condition, offering profound insights into freedom, authenticity, and responsibility. Rather than providing easy answers, this philosophical tradition illuminates the very questions that make us human: How do we create meaning in an apparently meaningless universe? What does it mean to live authentically? How do we navigate the fundamental anxiety that comes with genuine freedom? The existentialist approach reveals that these challenges are not obstacles to overcome but essential aspects of human existence to be embraced and explored. Through examining our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world around us, we discover that the apparent burden of creating our own meaning is actually our greatest opportunity for genuine fulfillment.
Existentialism's Core Philosophy: Being, Existence, and Authenticity
Existentialism fundamentally rejects the notion that human beings possess a predetermined essence or nature that determines their purpose. Instead, it boldly declares that existence precedes essence, meaning we first exist and then create who we are through our choices and actions. This reversal of traditional philosophical thinking places the individual at the center of meaning-creation, transforming what might seem like a terrifying responsibility into an extraordinary opportunity for self-determination. The concept of authenticity forms the cornerstone of existentialist thought, representing the courage to live according to one's own values rather than conforming to external expectations. Authenticity requires constant self-examination and the willingness to make difficult choices that may separate us from the crowd. It demands that we acknowledge our fundamental freedom while accepting full responsibility for the consequences of our decisions. This authentic existence is not a destination but an ongoing process of becoming, requiring us to continuously choose who we want to be rather than simply accepting who others tell us we are. The experience of anxiety, or angst, serves as a crucial indicator of our confrontation with authentic choice. This existential anxiety differs from everyday worry; it emerges when we fully grasp the weight of our freedom and the absence of predetermined guidelines for living. Rather than something to be avoided, this anxiety signals our awakening to genuine possibility and our recognition that we are the authors of our own lives. Understanding this anxiety as a natural consequence of human consciousness helps us embrace rather than flee from the moments that define our authentic existence.
Living Dimensions of Existence: Self, Others, and World
The existentialist understanding of self transcends the traditional notion of a fixed identity waiting to be discovered. Instead, the self emerges as a dynamic process of becoming, constantly shaped by our interactions with others and our environment. We are not passive recipients of experience but active creators of meaning, continuously transcending our current circumstances through our projects and commitments. This view of self as perpetual becoming liberates us from limiting beliefs about our capabilities and opens infinite possibilities for growth and transformation. Our relationships with others present both the greatest challenges and the richest opportunities for authentic existence. While we might hope for seamless connection, existentialist philosophy reveals the fundamental difficulty of truly knowing another consciousness. Yet this very challenge makes our attempts at genuine communication and understanding more precious and meaningful. Through recognizing the subjectivity of others, we learn to respect their freedom while maintaining our own authenticity, creating relationships based on mutual recognition rather than possession or control. The world we inhabit is neither a neutral backdrop nor a predetermined stage for human action. Instead, it becomes meaningful through our engagement with it, shaped by our projects and illuminated by our concerns. We are always already embedded in the world, never experiencing it from a purely objective standpoint but always from within our particular situation. This embeddedness means that changing our relationship to the world requires changing ourselves, and vice versa. The world responds to our approach, revealing different possibilities depending on how we choose to engage with it.
Practicing Existentialism: Freedom, Creativity, and Responsibility
The practice of existential living demands that we embrace our fundamental freedom while fully accepting the responsibility this entails. This freedom is not merely the absence of constraints but the positive capacity to create meaning and direction for our lives. Every choice we make not only shapes our individual existence but contributes to the values we affirm for humanity as a whole. This interconnection between personal and universal responsibility transforms even seemingly small decisions into opportunities for ethical action and authentic self-creation. Creativity emerges as an essential aspect of existential practice, not merely in artistic endeavors but in the fundamental task of life construction. Just as artists work with given materials to create something new, we must work with our circumstances to craft meaningful existence. This creative approach to living requires us to move beyond conventional solutions and predetermined paths, developing the courage to experiment with new ways of being. The creative life embraces uncertainty and possibility rather than seeking security in conformity. The weight of responsibility can feel overwhelming, but existentialist philosophy reframes this burden as the source of human dignity. When we fully acknowledge that our choices matter and that we are the primary architects of our lives, even difficult decisions become opportunities for authentic self-expression. This responsibility extends beyond ourselves to our communities and the world, recognizing that authentic existence requires us to support the freedom of others while pursuing our own. The practice of existentialism thus becomes both deeply personal and inherently social.
Art, Love, and the Meaningful Life: Existential Ethics
Art holds a special place in existentialist thought as both a model for authentic creation and a means of revealing truth about human existence. The artistic process mirrors the existential challenge of creating something meaningful from raw possibility, requiring both technical skill and authentic vision. Through engaging with art, whether as creators or appreciators, we practice the fundamental existential skills of interpretation, choice, and meaning-creation. Art demonstrates that beauty and significance can emerge from the most challenging circumstances, offering hope that our own lives can be transformed into works of meaningful creation. Love represents one of the most complex and rewarding dimensions of existential experience, requiring us to balance individual authenticity with genuine care for another. Existential love differs from romantic fantasy or possessive attachment; it involves recognizing and supporting the freedom of the beloved while maintaining our own authentic existence. This form of love acknowledges the fundamental separateness of consciousness while creating moments of profound connection and mutual understanding. Through love, we learn that authenticity does not require isolation but can be enhanced through genuine relationship with others. The meaningful life emerges not from external validation or predetermined purposes but from the ongoing commitment to authentic existence in all its dimensions. This meaning cannot be guaranteed or permanently secured but must be continually renewed through our choices and actions. The existential approach to ethics emphasizes that we cannot escape the responsibility of creating values through our lives, making every day an opportunity to affirm what we believe to be most important about human existence.
Summary
Existentialism reveals that the apparent burden of creating meaning in an uncertain world is actually humanity's greatest gift and responsibility. By embracing our fundamental freedom while accepting complete responsibility for our choices, we transform anxiety into authentic action and transform the seeming absurdity of existence into opportunities for genuine fulfillment. This philosophical framework continues to offer profound guidance for navigating contemporary challenges, providing tools for authentic self-creation while fostering deeper connections with others and more meaningful engagement with our world.
By Jennifer Anna Gosetti-Ferencei
