Philosophisches Kopfkino - Existenz

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!

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 named 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 eggplants,

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, the being must appear,
then being is existence

and the existence is being....
Uh…Wait a moment

So, to summarise:

the existence 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.