Existentialism

Existentialism has been the central topic in Civilization and its Discontents in the reading up to now. This philosophy re-imagines society as we know it. Existentialism involves finding meaning in life without religion. Freud has discussed varying ways that man can find meaning in a world without a God. he suggests that it may be through science, love, and accomplishments. He says, "...every man find out for himself in what particular fashion can he be saved..." (34). By saved, Freud does not necessarily mean reaching salvation by some kind of deity. He means achieving some sort of meaning and giving purpose to one's life. In existentialism, God is assumed not to exist. Thus, the purpose of life is dramatically changed. The goal of life is not to reach salvation by following and established morality in a religion. Instead, the individual determines his own "saving grace". The individual's "saving grace" is in something he admires or something that fits his temperament and disposition well. This something becomes his new religion.

As our society becomes more and more secular, it seems to me that this has happened in a way. People have found ways to substitute religion. One example is sports. Its seems to me that in recent times with the rise of ESPN and organized sports that Americans have become increasingly religious about sports. We build huge stadiums that resemble cathedrals for the baseball and football gods. We celebrate their glory in the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup. We even build shrines for these gods and call it the Hall of Fame. Cooperstown has become the new Mecca that we go on pilgrimages to. In a way when a player makes it to the big leagues, we speak about it as if this a salvation in itself. However, this is not the only way our society has found existential meaning.

Another mode of religion is pop culture. Celebrities are worshiped as another set of gods. Rock stars also reach god-like status. It seems like anyone will do whatever they can to get on TV these days. Whether it be singing horribly on American trials during the first cuts, eating bugs on Fear Factor, being an antagonist on the Real World and even going on the Maury show and embarrassing yourself. American Idol has become a means of reaching this god-like status. Contestants compete for their chance to become famous; their chance to reach salvation.

In addition, many find meaning through their careers. They let their job or career goals dominate every aspect of their life. Being successful or getting into Medical School becomes their salvation. This accomplishment gives the individual a higher goal and a seemingly more profound meaning in their life. This may seem more dignified than the others, but still is not much different. It is a substitution for a deity.

These are just my observations and they may or may not be of much value. I am no sociologist or psychologist. I am just some freshman. Many of these people may still be in fact be very religious. There is nothing inherently wrong with being atheistic either. Is our society more secular because more people have become atheistic existentialists or does this secularizing stem from our increasing goal of separation of church and state? I wonder what Sigmund would say.