Introduction
As religion declines in influence in much of the modern Western world, people are increasingly faced with an ancient but personal dilemma: What is the meaning of life? For centuries, religion offered clear answers—divine purpose, moral codes, and a transcendent goal beyond death. But in a post-religious society, where belief in God is no longer a given, individuals often find themselves adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
Enter existentialism—a philosophy born from crisis, focused on individual freedom, responsibility, and the challenge of constructing meaning in an indifferent universe. This blog explores how existentialist thought offers tools for meaning-making in a secular context, helping modern individuals navigate life without reliance on religious frameworks. At times, I sprinkle my personal opinion and thoughts on things.
What Is Existentialism?
Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the individual’s experience of existence, freedom, and responsibility. It asks: What does it mean to be human? How do we live authentically in a world without inherent meaning?
At its core, existentialism declares that existence precedes essence—that we are not born with a pre-defined purpose. Rather, we must define our own essence through the choices we make and the lives we lead.
While existentialism isn’t a unified doctrine, some of the most influential thinkers include:
Søren Kierkegaard (often seen as the father of existentialism),
Friedrich Nietzsche,
Jean-Paul Sartre,
Simone de Beauvoir,
Albert Camus.
Each offered a different vision of how to live meaningfully in a universe that doesn’t hand us easy answers.
The Death of God and the Crisis of Meaning
Friedrich Nietzsche famously declared, “God is dead.” He wasn’t simply stating a personal belief; he was observing a cultural shift. In a world increasingly shaped by science, secularism, and skepticism, traditional religious values were crumbling. The “death” of God symbolized the collapse of shared meaning and moral foundations.
But Nietzsche didn’t celebrate this death. He recognized it as a spiritual crisis—without God, how would humanity create meaning? Would we fall into nihilism, believing that life is ultimately meaningless? Nietzsche’s solution was the creation of new values through the Übermensch, or “overman,” a person who lives with self-created purpose and integrity.
Existentialism picks up this challenge. In a post-religious world, we may no longer believe in preordained cosmic plans, but that doesn’t mean life is meaningless. Instead, it puts the burden—and the opportunity—on each of us to craft our own significance.
Jean-Paul Sartre: Freedom and Responsibility
Jean-Paul Sartre, a leading figure in 20th-century existentialism, argued that humans are radically free. There is no divine blueprint for our lives, no essential “human nature” guiding us. Because of this, we are condemned to be free—we must choose who we are and what we value.
For Sartre, meaning is not something we discover “out there” but something we create through our actions. We become who we are by how we live.
“Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.” – Sartre
This is empowering, but also terrifying. Without divine guidance or objective morality, we carry the full weight of our decisions. There’s no one to blame, and no ultimate justification for inauthenticity.
In a secular world, Sartre’s message resonates: meaning is a product of freedom, and freedom is a responsibility we must bear.
Simone de Beauvoir: Meaning Through Others
Simone de Beauvoir, Sartre’s lifelong partner and a key existentialist thinker in her own right, extended these ideas into ethics and human relationships. In The Ethics of Ambiguity, she argued that although the world has no inherent meaning, we can create value by recognizing others as ends in themselves, not merely tools for our use.
Her feminist philosophy, too, is rooted in existentialist ideas: freedom is not abstract, but deeply tied to our lived conditions. Women, and all marginalized people, must reclaim the power to define their own essence, not be defined by societal norms.
“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” – de Beauvoir
In a post-religious context, de Beauvoir offers a powerful secular ethic: to live authentically is to affirm not just our own freedom, but that of others.
Albert Camus: The Absurd and the Rebel
Albert Camus didn’t fully embrace the label of “existentialist,” but his ideas overlap significantly. Camus is known for articulating the concept of the Absurd—the tension between our desire for meaning and the silent, indifferent universe.
Life may be absurd, Camus argued, but that doesn’t mean we should despair. Instead, we must embrace the absurd and live in defiance of meaninglessness.
“The struggle itself…is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” – Camus
In his book The Rebel, Camus suggests that rebellion—standing against injustice and creating values—is a meaningful response to absurdity. Even without divine justice, we can uphold human dignity and solidarity.
For those navigating a secular life, Camus offers a vision of joyful resistance, where meaning is found not in eternal truths, but in lived courage.
Why Existentialism Matters in a Secular Age
The modern world is marked by existential anxiety. With religion declining, traditional institutions losing trust, and identity becoming fluid, many feel unmoored. The “meaning crisis” isn’t just a philosophical problem—it’s a psychological and cultural one.
Existentialism is uniquely positioned to help us face this crisis:
1. Affirms Individual Freedom
It recognizes the agency of individuals to create their own values and path, without needing approval from religious authority or cultural tradition. I don’t think this is as simple as it sounds. Many people have physical or mental disabilities that make certain things challenging. It’s a dog eat dog world out there and it is hard to be successful without trampling on someone. It can be done, I’m not saying it can’t, but it is hard.
2. Accepts Ambiguity and Uncertainty
Existentialism doesn’t offer neat answers—it teaches us to live despite uncertainty. This is a healthy antidote to dogmatism or the search for perfect systems. I do agree that there are no neat answers out there to the big questions in life. It’s fun to think of all the possibilities, but many questions remain out of reach from our limited perception.
3. Centers Authenticity
Living authentically means aligning actions with your true self, not performing for social expectations or inherited beliefs. In a world of social media and image-making, this message is radical. This is a very hard pill to swallow. How many of us live authentically? Most everyone, even if they say otherwise, cares what someone thinks. When you go to a job interview, you care about what the interviewer thinks to a degree so you can increase your chances of getting a job. There is a time to be concerned what people think and a time to not care. It’s distinguishing to two that can sometimes be difficult.
4. Connects with Mental Health
Many therapists and counselors incorporate existentialist ideas in modern psychology. Approaches like logotherapy (developed by Viktor Frankl) emphasize finding personal meaning in suffering, a theme deeply relevant for people experiencing depression or existential dread. I must admit, it can be quite difficult trying to find meeting in depression. I have struggled with a mood disorder for most of my life and I often think that things are pointless, which makes the depression worse. Adding meaning to life helps to allievate those depressed feelings.
5. Encourages Ethical Engagement
Existentialists like de Beauvoir show that responsibility for meaning doesn’t stop with ourselves—it extends to others. In the absence of divine command, we can still choose empathy, justice, and connection. This is true and we could use being kind as a way to finding meaning in life. Being concerned about others and finding ways to help often allievates depression.
Practical Ways to Apply Existentialist Ideas
You don’t need to be a philosopher to live existentially. Here are some simple ways to apply existentialism in your secular life:
Reflect on your values
What matters most to you? Are your actions aligned with those values? For example, being in a relationship is important to me so I strive for that by seeking to constantly better myself in certain areas. Changing can be quite difficult so maybe change at a slower pace is the best way to go.
Embrace freedom
Recognize that you have choices, even when they’re hard. Freedom can be scary, but it’s also empowering. One of the hardest decisions we have to make is a choice of a career. There are so many things to choose from and we don’t want to go into something we don’t like. We have to use a little bit if guess work which it comes to which career would be best to approach.
Accept responsibility
Own your decisions. Don’t blame fate, God, or society for your path.
Create meaning through action – Volunteer, write, build relationships, or engage with art. Meaning is made through doing. I know that when it comes to writing and playing music, I’m doing things that give my life a purpose. Entertainment is a social need for many of us. You might find something else that is fulfilling. Perhaps you want to help others who struggle with anxiety and depression whether, it is becoming a therapist or simply spending time with them.
Acknowledge mortality
Remember that life is finite. Let that fact inspire you to live fully and honestly. It’s sometimes scary to think that the end will eventually come and who knows what is after that. Are people who die and comeback to life actually having near death experiences? Some seem to get transported to a heavenly realm, but it could be a trick of the brain? It is important to live life to the fullest. Sometimes spending time with the ones we love will give us our best memories.
The nilihistic point of view can sometimes feel depressing, and it can cause anxiety. I know the experiecing of going from having complete faith in the afterlife to the possible realization that this is all there is. Sometimes I wish I could place my faith in a higher power, but then I wonder why that higher power would care about me while there are children starving to death in other parts of the world. I sometimes find myself forcing myself to believe there is something that transcends space and time. I mean, if we had a beginning, how did it come about? If there was no beginning, does that mean time now has already experienced eternity. I think sometimes science can bring meaning to life as it explores the wonders of the Earth and the Universe.
Conclusion: Building Meaning Without a Map
In a post-religious world, the loss of divine structure can feel like a loss of purpose. But existentialism reminds us that this very absence is an invitation—to create, to define, to live authentically.
The world may not offer built-in meaning, but that doesn’t mean we are without hope. On the contrary, we are free to become authors of our own stories. In that act of self-creation lies a kind of secular sacredness—a rebellion against meaninglessness, and a profound embrace of life on our own terms.
Suggested Resources
Books:
Existentialism Is a Humanism – Jean-Paul Sartre
The Myth of Sisyphus – Albert Camus
The Ethics of Ambiguity – Simone de Beauvoir
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
Videos & Lectures:
Wireless Philosophy (Wi-Phi) YouTube channel: Great introductions to existentialist thinkers.
The School of Life: Short videos on existentialism and meaning.
Articles:
“Existentialism” – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
“Nihilism and the Meaning of Life” – Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
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