Existential Musings in The Zahir

Abstract

The philosophy of existentialism is a 20^th century movement, which emphasizes the active participation of will, rather than reason, in confronting the problems of a non - moral or absurd universe. The term existentialism is applied to philosophical doctrines enunciated by Kierkegaard, Heidegger and Sartre which is centred upon the analysis of human beings that regard human existence as not exhaustively describable or understandable in idealistic or scientific terms.  Existentialism is marked by its emphasis on the concreteness, subjectivity and individuality of human existence. The existential enquiry is the one in which the thinker is himself seriously involved for the nature of his own existence the search for human freedom is central and basic to all systems of Existentialism and it gives practical orientation to the existential enquiry. Other Existential writers are Hegel, Nietzsche, Sartre, Bergson, Simone de Beauvoir and others. All Existentialists lay stress on the impotency of reason to solve man’s problems; give importance to man who for them is the starting point; stress existence prior to essence; talk of individual freedom to choose; emphasize concrete experience and passion; underscore alienation, highlight negativities like dread, despair, anxiety, nothingness, and morality and suggest authentic existence as a way out.