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".

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 of being 
is essential being.

Plain and simple, the existence.

Kierkegaard saw it differently yet again 
and thus

became the founder of the 
philosophy of existence:

"Being itself, to which the being can 
behave 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 myself and I am responsible 
for getting along with my own self.

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.