[Existence]
How do we know that we actually exist
and that we are real?
Sure, we can look at ourselves in the mirror, pinch ourselves
or bang our heads against the wall,
But even that, could just be something that we imagine.
However, how are we able to imagine something,
if we don't exist?
And that's how we get to the crux of the matter:
When we question reality, if what we are seeing
is real or not, there is always us.
That isn't up for discussion.
But how can we be certain of our existence?
Precisely:
To be or not be, that is the question here!
The concept of `being' has the broadest definition by far,
because it relates to everything conceivable.
Relating to our house, our boat, our investment advisor
and, of course, ourselves!
"Everything that is conceivable," therefore also means:
everything that "is not" isn't.
And all of that combined is infinite!
Boldly stated: nothing exists outside of being,
as everything that exists is part of being.
But that is only half the battle
Because being isn't equal to existence.
In the Middle Ages, a distinction was made, that "existence",
which was necessary was the "necessary existence".
That which was essential for everyone and everything
was the basis for all existence
and was naturally called God.
There where the necessary lies, the unnecessary isn't far removed.
Thus the 2nd kind of the existence was defined as "not necessary"...
simply things which nobody needs!
USB ashtrays, inflatable cell phone holders, breakfast egg heads,
pasta in a cooking bag, microwave slippers.... okay.
Besides that which no one needs, there is also the existence
of that which is impossible:
the "impossible existence".
Does that mean that God is unable to create a boulder
that he himself cannot lift!!!
Then how can something exist that is more powerful
than the necessary existence?
Kant then came up with sensuality and experience...
his sources of understanding!
Should that then mean,
that things appear to exist, as we experience them.
His colleague Hegel saw it like this:
The unity of essence and appearance,
of essence and existence is reality.
So, essence must appear, then being is essence
and essence is being.... Uh…Wait a moment
So, to summarise:
the essence to which the being attributes itself is the essential being.
Simply put, the existence.
Kierkegaard saw it differently yet again and thus
became the founder of the philosophy of existence:
"Being itself, to which the being behaves in a particular way
and always somehow behaves, we call existence".
By this he means that this existence is quite sufficient.
It relates only to itself and not to a great absolute.
I am me and I am responsible for getting along with myself.
What else is …., I don't care!
So much to existence.
And to not exists at all?
Martin Walser once said:
"Nothing is true without its opposite" Whoa!
So, it's that simple then.