Are you ever overwhelmed by the thought that you exist?

Question

Have you ever stopped on a quiet night and gazed, somewhat unbelievably, at yourself in a mirror. Not being able to fully comprehend that you are being and existing in the moment. You are alive and you are alive in this strange person in the mirror. Have you ever been overwhelmed with the idea that anything at all exists? The idea that something, that all this, exists is something that seems to evade all of my attempts at comprehension. Does not all this existence, not point to something, something which has put existence into existence? What has created this, you, and me? Is nonexistence even a possibility?

Answer 1

By having realized that you have been able to ask the question yourself you are having what existentialists call an 'existential' feeling. This means you have acquired that realization of asking what is the meaning of existence, if there is!!! Yes, the feeling is definitely overwhelming and that is why alot of philosophers spend and give their whole lifetime in trying to answer and give a solution this problem of existence. To have an existential feeling is to transcend your daily affairs in life of waking and sleeping and being caught by the question why you exist at all. This feeling will now propel you to find a solution to this lifelong problem of existence or become a philosopher yourself!!! Now to answer why do things at all exist is, this question can be answered by science. The law of conservation of matter states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. This means anything that exists at all simply exists without being created. Oh yes, you can only change its state but never the amount of quantity of matter in the whole universe. So taking that into conisderation, matter simply exists, matter has no cause and therefore neither created. Now to ask the meaning of existence is definitely quite another thing. By that question you are asking if existence has a purpose. My answer to you, me being an agnostic is existence itself is devoid of meaning. The meaning, and the asking of meaning all comes from us humans. But the world in itself is devoid of an objective meaning. It may appear that the photosynthesis of plants is purposive and the whole biological process of symbiosis in an ecological system. Yes. From the vantage point of biology it is purposive. But from the vantage point of the whole universe, it is meaningless. When our sun exhausts all its fuel, it will swell up a thousand times burning into cinder all the near by planets around it whether is still has life or not and whether it is ready or not for annihilation. And after its swelling it will implode forming a black hole. Now the last part of your question, about nonexistence. Non-existence is not possible since the law of conservation of matter does not allow it. Matter will always be forever and ever amen!!! As the last phrase in the prayer "glory be to the father " says it ...... As it was in the begining now forever shall be world without end ...Amen!!!! So I hope this little clarification would help.

Answer 2

Basically, Yes.

I don't understand why or how anything exists. It seems much simplier if nothing existed, no energy, no mater, no time, absolutely nothing, no dimensions, no universes. Why or how should something exist? Why are there laws of nature? Why does mater and energy behave the way it does? Why am I me? Why is this conciousness in this body at this time? Is this all a computer simulation? What's the real universe like if there is one?

I believe in God, but I don't think that this line of thought leads to his existence. If nothing existed, then there wouldn't be anything to bring something into existence, and God is something.

Answer 3

I have actually. its an amazing feeling, and despite what people may think, not necessarily due to drug use. I think that fact that something exists is the most amazing fact of all. You don't need to belong to any religion to recognize that. I think all too often we get so caught up in trying to explain things away (whether through explanations that rely on gods or through science) that we blind ourselves to the wonder of existence. (I am aware of the irony of anayzing how we over analyze).

I had to laugh at awnery's answer. what an answer to this question! she's either full of wisdom or the total opposite, and i don't know which one is the case. :)

Answer 4

2 tips: stop seeing the matrix so often, and try meditating, it makes life seem a lot more real. if we are nonexistant then we really should think about rewriting the definition of existance.

Answer 5

in my view, i do no longer think so. faith and Spirituality are tied to the foundational ideals maximum of human beings have; a lot of human beings base their morals, their kin values, and their consciences on those concerns of religious or religious concept. merely as strongly as some human beings have self assurance that there isn't any clever layout, greater Deity, Nirvana, others have self assurance unswervingly that there is. it is not a concrete concept which could be proved or disproved; however the two factors have self assurance that it may (i.e. apologetics).

Answer 6

Well dear...friend...i can understand ...the quest of us inside...forces us to keep asking questionss.....
but do not ponder too much into it.....else you will go
mad!! Leave the work to scientists for breaking their
heads aginst these !!! let us live happy and simple.!!!
"Knowledge is EVIL , Ignorance is Bliss"
-AK

Answer 7

Row Row Row your boat gently down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream


Now get out of my rowboat!!!!!!

Answer 8

Sorry but that question is just too long!

Answer 9

yes...maybe nonexistence is itself nonexistent....that would be so ironic.