Existential crisis?

[Jbo]

I am not seeking attention, or doing some self-indulgent exercise.

I was merely curious if anyone else has gone through this. By that logic, thinking about anything is some self-indulgent exercise.

Going through something I would think 99% percent of the population at least has thought about and created pillars of thought around (philosophy, psychology) does not lead me to believe it is not important.

[peter12]

[QUOTE=rubecube;4737732]

And why is this exactly?

Because that's what humans do.

And to some people these things hold no appeal or meaning, so they search for answers elsewhere.

The complete disavowal of serious human matters is not excusable at all.

Has it ever occurred to you that you're not nearly as special and unique as you think you are? Plenty of people are completely capable of studying these various concepts and fully or partially embracing them, or dismissing them on their own terms.

Actually, I think of myself as extremely common, which is why I am not overly sympathetic with people in their mid-20s claiming they are having some sort of existential crisis.

And this poses a huge problem for people who feel anxious in the absence of anything transcendental. I don't happen to be one of them, but I'm familiar with something called empathy, which I'd highly recommend you try out one day.

Then it's up to those people to find something transcendental.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I am not seeking attention, or doing some self-indulgent exercise.

I was merely curious if anyone else has gone through this. By that logic, thinking about anything is some self-indulgent exercise.

Going through something I would think 99% percent of the population at least has thought about and created pillars of thought around it (philosophy, psychology) does not lead me to believe it is not importent.

It's not self-indulgence, it's self-awareness. Anyone who isn't constantly questioning themselves, their beliefs, what they actually know, etc., is either an idiot or a raging narcissist.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I am not seeking attention, or doing some self-indulgent exercise.

I was merely curious if anyone else has gone through this. By that logic, thinking about anything is some self-indulgent exercise.

Going through something I would think 99% percent of the population at least has thought about and created pillars of thought around (philosophy, psychology) does not lead me to believe it is not important.

J-bo, I wasn't really directing anything at you. Obviously, thinking about mortality is something that us human beings are stuck with. I don't think there is a single person on this planet that, at some point, has not been stuck with the problem of having it all end. Even Socrates did a pretty crappy job of rationalizing death - going into an eternal sleep... c'mon. Personally, I just don't see the purpose of worrying about death when there is so much we can do to enjoy life.

Have you heard of the website, www.artofmanliness.com?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by peter12

J-bo, I wasn't really directing anything at you. Obviously, thinking about mortality is something that us human beings are stuck with. I don't think there is a single person on this planet that, at some point, has not been stuck with the problem of having it all end. Even Socrates did a pretty crappy job of rationalizing death - going into an eternal sleep... c'mon. Personally, I just don't see the purpose of worrying about death when there is so much we can do to enjoy life.

Have you heard of the website, www.artofmanliness.com?

Holy ####, are you for real?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

Because that's what humans do.

Oh goody, I love essentialism. Tell me more about what humans "do."

The complete disavowal of serious human matters is not excusable at all.

This implies that there is anything inherently serious about human matters.

Then it's up to those people to find something transcendental.

Agreed, but isn't reaching out to the community in search of transcendence part of the cultural values you were previously waxing on about?

[AcGold]

If you're worried about dying then spend that time that you would sitting around worrying about it on being healthy and living longer instead, that's the logical solution to me at least. You can't out think the fear, it will never go away unless you dissociate yourself from your body which is inadvisable for anyone under significant mental duress as it can unlock psychological problems.

[nik-]

take a lot of mushrooms.

I'm only like 20% joking.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by peter12

First world problems.

Way to foster a culture of openess and acceptance.

Do you feel guilty because you weren't born into poverty in Haiti or Ethiopia? If you don't your statement is nothing more than hypocrisy.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think people need to read peter's posts like I do. Just read them assuming he has Asperger's syndrome then the tone does not seem nearly as bad. Also remember he's Danish, very unemotional/logical people, I know being married to one. Closest culture to Vulcan.

Ass Burgers?

[To Be Quite Honest]

I'm sorry you're going through this and it's very tough to experience so I hope you are not going through it alone. There is a lot of good advice here, and one thing I would also suggest is volunteer your time to something you find meaningful; feed the homeless, big brother, habitat for humanity.

Set some small and big goals for the next five years and write them down.

Hope you feel better.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think people need to read peter's posts like I do. Just read them assuming he has Asperger's syndrome then the tone does not seem nearly as bad. Also remember he's Danish, very unemotional/logical people, I know being married to one. Closest culture to Vulcan.

I have 8 cousins, and 7 of them are lesbian kindergarten teachers. We are a serious people.

[troutman]

Every Rush song seems to be about existential crisis. Don't worry Neil, be happy.

[troutman]

Having a crisis? Could be you are gifted:

http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10269.aspx

[burn_this_city]

I've gone through those introspective times on a few different occasions. It's tough to break out of it. Quite often when things seem to be going my way I get worried about losing it all. It's weird how we're wired, I had a crazy fear of death as a child from about age 5-10. It took me years to get over it, now I think, compared to 99% of people I've had a good run at life, if it ends too soon so be it.

[burn_this_city]

They made us read this book in High School, I thought it was good at giving perspective to our lives given the gravity of the author's experiences.

[peter12]

Oh goody, I love essentialism. Tell me more about what humans "do."

For Aristotle, virtue was only possible when active. The creation of a family, and maintaining its stability were essential parts to a good life. I think this applies to most humans.

This implies that there is anything inherently serious about human matters.

The alternative being nihilism. Fair point, but not much help.

Agreed, but isn't reaching out to the community in search of transcendence part of the cultural values you were previously waxing on about?

That would depend on the community.

[DuffMan]

Find a secluded beach on an Ocean somewhere in any country on a clear night and do some acid.

[Robotic]

Originally Posted by nik-

take a lot of mushrooms.

I'm only like 20% joking.

Ayahuasca in the jungles of Peru is where its at!

[nik-]

Yeah but Peru is really really far, and some of those Ayahuasca "guides" are sketchy as ####.