Existentialist Philosophies: A Side-by-Side Look at Atheistic and Theistic Variants
Existentialism, a philosophical movement that gained prominence in the mid-20th century, offers two distinct perspectives on human existence: atheistic and theistic. While both schools share common ground in their emphasis on individual human experience, freedom, and the search for meaning, they diverge significantly in their beliefs about God and the nature of human existence.
Atheistic Existentialism
Atheistic existentialism, as the name suggests, rejects the idea of a divine being and any preordained purpose for life. Prominent figures in this movement include Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger. In atheistic existentialism, meaning is not given but created through individual choice and authentic existence in an absurd or indifferent universe.
The search for meaning becomes a deeply personal journey, with individuals responsible for defining their own values and purpose. This demands confronting existential anxiety and absurdity head-on. Ethics are self-created, and hope comes from the individual's ability to create meaning despite a meaningless universe.
Theistic Existentialism
Theistic existentialism, on the other hand, affirms belief in God or a higher power. Gabriel Marcel is a key figure in this school of thought. For theistic existentialists, meaning is found through relationship with God or alignment with divine purpose, though affirming human experience and freedom remain central.
Theistic existentialism asserts the existence of God and sees life through a religious perspective. Human purpose is seen as part of God's plan, and hope is grounded in faith in God. Ethics are rooted in divine commands, and the concept of the afterlife is central to theistic existentialism.
Common Ground
Despite their differences, both atheistic and theistic existentialism place a strong emphasis on the individual's responsibility. Freedom is a cornerstone in both philosophies, with Sartre famously stating that "existence precedes essence," meaning humans exist first, and then define themselves through their actions.
Both schools confront angst and anxiety, reject determinism, and acknowledge the absurdity of life. Authenticity plays a significant role in both philosophies, with centrality given to the concept of authenticity in atheistic existentialism.
Differences
The primary difference between atheistic and theistic existentialism is their stance on God: atheistic existentialism denies the existence of any divine being, while theistic existentialism believes in the existence of God.
In atheistic existentialism, alienation is seen as a result of the individual's realization that they are alone in an indifferent universe. An existential crisis arises from the realization that life is absurd and meaningless.
In theistic existentialism, individuals still face existential challenges, such as freedom, anxiety, and the search for meaning, but these are viewed within the context of God's presence in their lives. The Bible offers comfort in times of existential struggle for theistic existentialists, while atheistic existentialists must find comfort in their own self-created meaning.
In sum, atheistic existentialism rejects divine authority and affirms meaning-making as a human act within an indifferent universe, while theistic existentialism incorporates belief in God as integral to meaning and moral responsibility but shares a focus on subjective human existence and the importance of personal commitment. Neither approach relies on external dogma alone; instead, both stress the individual's engagement with existence—whether through self-created meaning or faith-based purpose—and the weight of responsibility for one's choices.
- Atheistic existentialism advocates personal responsibility for defining values, purpose, and meaning, contrasting with theistic existentialism's belief in finding meaning through relationship with a higher power.
- In theistic existentialism, ethics are rooted in divine commands, whereas in atheistic existentialism, ethics are self-created.
- Both philosophies reject determinism and acknowledge existential anxiety and absurdity, but atheistic existentialism laments alienation in an indifferent universe, while theistic existentialism addresses it within the context of God's presence.
- Health-and-wellness and mental-health seek the optimal functioning of human consciousness and the exploration of meaning, similar to existentialism's emphasis on these aspects.
- Science, as a means of understanding the world and gaining knowledge, can be seen as complementary to philosophy, as both domains strive to discern the nature of human existence and the meaning of life.
