Junior economics and government and politics major
Do you really exist? I am not referring to your material, organic body, but to the existence of each part of your conscious by established norms, morals and a reality, uninhibited by worldly influences.
Obviously, the answer is no. Individuals cave to societal pressures, observe morality established by laws and practice religions and philosophies inherited from authoritative figures. No, you were not born a Christian, Muslim or atheist, nor was that artsy hipster or pragmatic scientist born that way. Our conventional wisdom constructs comfort zones in reality, though the existential crisis of living in an unfree world — bowing to societal pressures — plagues our consciousness and constricts who we are able to become.
I pose this challenge: Reject the reality forced upon you and attempt to invent your own.
The question becomes, “is it possible to be free?” Biological science and psychology would disregard the concept of a free individual. Underlying instincts provoke us to action in ways we cannot rationalize or control. We receive behavioral norms and morals from society, as a general “follow the crowd” mentality is intrinsic to humans.
These dynamics create an “irresistible force meets an immovable object” scenario. Freedom actualizing in an unfree world is an oxymoron. To me, the absurdity of this dichotomy is something to be embraced. Refusing to struggle for freedom is the worst surrender. It’s equivalent to a scientist forsaking knowledge because he recognizes he will never understand everything. The relentless pursuit of freedom makes existence worth the pain and heartache.
The premise behind existential philosophy is the attempt (and possible failure) of men and women to design an authentic and unique existence. It espouses the realization that everything perceived and experienced has no value beyond what we ascribe to it. It is about embracing the absurdity of everything, understanding no existence will achieve anything past face value. Rather than rejecting emotions of isolation, boredom, angst and despair, we welcome them into our psyches to advance our awareness of our internal struggle — the battle to reconcile our yearning for freedom in an unfree world.
Once we consent to the possibility of freedom, we must pursue it with undying tenacity in each detail of life. Deconstruct what you believe you know scientifically and socially, then begin to conceive your own reality.
Analyze your morality. Decide for yourself if what you believe on different topics — drugs, politics, economics, laws, religions, etc. — is truly what you wish to endorse or if society established them. If the latter is the case, reject them and ascertain beliefs congruent with your newly found existential freedom. Be courageous enough to walk your own moral path.
Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Without a doubt.
In the end, our ability to inquire and formulate new subjective experiences and realities is what makes being human both distressingly alarming and unequivocally magnificent. Throw away your inherited reality, and sew new seeds so a brand new perception may flourish. Question everything. Hell, question this article. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. We are at war for freedom, and the expense of defeat is the authenticity of your existence. As Albert Camus once stated, “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” Live the rebellion.
Marc Priester is a sophomore economics and government and politics major. He can be reached at priester@umdbk.com.
