The Classical Period, spanning roughly from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE, is often regarded as the foundation of Western philosophy, art and literature. From an existentialist perspective, this era was marked by humanity’s early attempts to understand existence, purpose, and the nature of reality. Thinkers during this period laid the groundwork for many of the questions that existentialism would later grapple with, particularly concerning the individual’s place in the world and the search for meaning.
The Birth of Existential Inquiry
During the Classical Period, Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle began to explore the nature of existence. Socrates, for instance, introduced the concept of self-examination, famously asserting that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” This emphasis on introspection and the search for personal meaning is a precursor to existentialist thought, where the focus is on individual experience and authenticity.
Plato’s philosophy, especially his Theory of Forms, explored the tension between the ideal and the real, suggesting that the physical world is merely a shadow of a higher, more perfect reality. This dualism would later influence existentialist ideas about the alienation of the individual from the true essence of life, as seen in the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger.
Aristotle, on the other hand, introduced the idea of teleology–the belief that everything has a purpose or end goal. While existentialism later rejected the notion of inherent purpose, Aristotle’s exploration of human potential and the “good life” laid the groundwork for existentialists to challenge and redefine what it means to live authentically.
The Evolution of Existential Ideas
As history progressed, the ideas of the Classical Period evolved and became more focused on the individual. The Stoics, for example, emphasized personal responsibility and inner tranquility, ideas that resonate with existentialist themes of self-determination and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe. Stoicism’s focus on accepting one’s fate with dignity parallels existentialism’s recognition of the absurdity of existence and the need to create meaning despite it.
The rise of Christianity introduced a new dimension to existential inquiry, focusing on the relationship between humans and the divine. Early Christian thinkers like Augustine grappled with questions of free will, sin, and redemption–issues that existentialism would later explore in a secular context, particularly in the works of Soren Kierkegaard, who is often considered the father of existentialism.
Modern Existentialism
By the 19th and 20th centuries, existentialism had fully emerged as a distinct philosophical movement. Thinkers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus built on the Classical Period’s exploration of existence but shifted the focus more explicitly to individual freedom, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life. Where the Classical Period sought to understand the cosmos and humanity’s place within it, modern existentialists accepted the absurdity of existence and the lack of any predetermined purpose.
This evolution highlights a key shift: from seeking external truths and purposes to embracing the internal, subjective experience as the primary source of meaning. The Classical Period laid the philosophical foundation, but modern existentialism transformed these ideas into a more personal, individualistic quest for authenticity in a world without inherent meaning.
Study of Existentialism is Study of Oneself
Studying existentialism is, at its core, a study of oneself. It invites us to confront the deepest aspects of our existence–our freedom, our choices, and our quest for meaning in a world that offers no easy answers. By tracing the evolution of existential thought from the Classical Period to modern times, we not only gain insight into the philosophical foundations of Western thought but also embark on a personal journey of self-discovery. In exploring these ideas, we begin to understand that the search for meaning is not just a philosophical endeavor but a deeply personal one, where each individual must navigate the complexities of existence to find their own path.