Jean-Paul Sartre famously said “Existence precedes essence.” By this, he was expressing his view that life, in general, provided no essence, or meaning or purpose; any subsequent essence to one’s life is established by an individual alone. Sartre was an atheist, and by following the implications of that belief, he understood there is no over-arching story or definition to provide mankind with any deeper essence to life. Therefore, he concluded “Life has no meaning a priori…it’s up to you to give it a meaning.”
Many people today have adopted Sartre’s philosophy regarding life’s ultimate meaninglessness; it’s a staple of the growing Post-modernism movement. If life itself lacks purpose, then what do we find to “give it a meaning?” We are limited to finding it only in the things of life. In a study from 2017, the Pew Research Center found 69% of adults in the U.S. perceived their meaning from their family. Other avenues that provided meaning for people included work/career, money, hobbies, and spiritual/faith. All of these are fine in themselves, but are they able to provide a person deep meaning and purpose? I would say they can not. Once the thing one’s meaning is attached to is shaken, or even removed, then so one’s meaning goes as well. I think we can all see and agree how fragile this makes for a person to live life with a healthy sustained meaning. Ok, but why is this important?
One of Sartre’s contemporaries, Albert Camus, took the philosophy even further. He also believed in the ultimate meaninglessness of life, but understood the ubiquitous nature of mankind to find and possess meaning and purpose to their life; thus, he called life and mankind’s search for meaning absurd. “The only serious question in life is whether to kill yourself or not.” To me, this is the real danger of this philosophy where one’s existence is ultimately void of meaning. Camus asked “Should I kill myself, or have a cup of coffee?” Yes, this is absurd philosophy. However, this is the honest and logical conclusion if there is no essence prior to existing. Moreover, we are seeing ramifications of this playing out right in front of our eyes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) latest statistics have revealed a 60% increase in worldwide suicide rates in the last 45 years, with the greatest increase among adolescents/teenagers. In the U.S., the suicide rates have increased by 30% just since 1999. All of this despite a significant reduction in the worldwide poverty, now at a record low of under 10% according to the World Bank. I believe the philosophy of meaninglessness is a major, if not the sole reason, for this troubling trend. A fragile, unstable meaning in life will allow thoughts of despair and hopelessness to creep in for any number of setbacks in one’s life. And when this happens, then, as Camus stated so eloquently, one can logically ask “Should I kill myself?”
So, if “existence before essence” makes suicide well-grounded and even logical, then what conclusions can be made if it’s reversed and the “essence precedes existence”? “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you”, Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV). “You saw me before I was born”, Psalm 139:16 (NLT). Yahweh, the revealed God of the Bible, not only created us, but He knows and loves each one of us completely. “The LORD appeared to him from afar: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion’”, Jeremiah 31:3 (BSB). Our life’s response (or purpose) to knowing this is taught by Jesus Christ: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself”, Matthew 22:37-39 (BSB). When one realizes this truth, that they have been created out of love and are unconditionally loved despite any setbacks or trials that life bestows, then they have a meaning and purpose that can withstand anything.
Meaning in life is more important than you think. Why, you might ask? Because in this broken existence we all share, hope is essential. And a hope that can withstand anything requires a meaning even deeper than our existence. Even Friedrich Nietzsche understood this when he said “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” The worldview we believe and teach our children has consequences. At a time when worldwide suicide rates are rapidly increasing, maybe we need to consider its cause is in fact a form of poverty, a spiritual one.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope”, Jer 29:11 (BSB).
