Existential Meaninglessness and the Philosophical Reality of Certainty
By: Dr. Khalid Waliullah Bughari
The experience of existential meaninglessness is a universal psychological condition, though its intensity and duration may vary from person to person.
This state is commonly referred to as an “existential crisis”, a time when life feels dull, pointless, and emotionally paralyzed.
Individuals with a philosophical mindset often label this as “existential meaninglessness” (وجودی لایعنیت).
Philosophical melancholy typically arises in minds that constantly question, yet find no satisfactory answers.
Philosophers often mask this despair under lofty terminologies like “existential crisis”, which at times serve more to differentiate themselves from the unphilosophical masses than to explain anything substantive.
According to clinical psychology, a person is not considered mentally ill if he continues to fulfill his basic responsibilities, despite intense emotional distress.
However, if the despair becomes so overpowering that even basic needs cannot be met, then treatment becomes necessary.
Can animals also experience existential despair? Scientifically, this question remains unanswered.
Even for humans, it remains difficult to define when emotional suffering becomes a clinical disorder and when it is an existential or philosophical crisis.
Despair often intensifies when one tires of the endless cycle of questions.
Chasing a principle behind every principle, and then questioning that as well, eventually leads to a loop of futility.
The modern human, who often deliberately embraces meaninglessness, becomes detached from purpose and action.
To such a person, all rules and values appear artificial and temporary.
They say:
“If all principles are baseless, why not just drift through life without meaning?”
Philosophical discourse shows that human reason cannot initiate even its first movement without certainty.
Foundational concepts such as time, space, and causality are accepted without empirical evidence.
These are a priori truths, inherent to the structure of the mind.
Reason builds itself upon certainty, and yet astonishingly, it often looks down upon certainty.
This paradox is evident in the philosophical attitude that tries to construct arguments while sidelining the very certainty it depends on.
➤ Escaping difficult questions to find temporary comfort
➤ Seeking refuge in entertainment, materialism, or intoxicants
➤ Although momentarily soothing, this path ultimately deepens existential despair
➤ Facing the tough philosophical questions head-on
➤ Asking new, meaningful questions based on certainty
➤ Engaging deeply with the reality and importance of certainty
The philosophical cure for existential meaninglessness lies in acknowledging the necessity of certainty.
The human intellect relies fundamentally on certainty, and any attempt to dismiss it leads nowhere.
Both philosophers and the modern individual must begin to see certainty not as a weakness, but as a gateway to deeper questions and a source of purpose and meaning in life.
By: Dr. Khalid Waliullah Bughari
❖ Colorlessness of Life and Existential Despair
The experience of existential meaninglessness is a universal psychological condition, though its intensity and duration may vary from person to person.
This state is commonly referred to as an “existential crisis”, a time when life feels dull, pointless, and emotionally paralyzed.
Individuals with a philosophical mindset often label this as “existential meaninglessness” (وجودی لایعنیت).
❖ The Philosophical Aspect of Existential Crisis
Philosophical melancholy typically arises in minds that constantly question, yet find no satisfactory answers.
Philosophers often mask this despair under lofty terminologies like “existential crisis”, which at times serve more to differentiate themselves from the unphilosophical masses than to explain anything substantive.
❖ Psychological Perspective on Despair
According to clinical psychology, a person is not considered mentally ill if he continues to fulfill his basic responsibilities, despite intense emotional distress.
However, if the despair becomes so overpowering that even basic needs cannot be met, then treatment becomes necessary.
❖ Sensory Dimension of Existential Sadness
Can animals also experience existential despair? Scientifically, this question remains unanswered.
Even for humans, it remains difficult to define when emotional suffering becomes a clinical disorder and when it is an existential or philosophical crisis.
❖ Causes of Existential Meaninglessness
◈ Weakness of Philosophical Foundations
Despair often intensifies when one tires of the endless cycle of questions.
Chasing a principle behind every principle, and then questioning that as well, eventually leads to a loop of futility.
◈ The Modern Individual and Emptiness
The modern human, who often deliberately embraces meaninglessness, becomes detached from purpose and action.
To such a person, all rules and values appear artificial and temporary.
They say:
“If all principles are baseless, why not just drift through life without meaning?”
❖ Certainty: A Possible Solution to Philosophical Despair
✔ The Basis of Certainty
Philosophical discourse shows that human reason cannot initiate even its first movement without certainty.
Foundational concepts such as time, space, and causality are accepted without empirical evidence.
These are a priori truths, inherent to the structure of the mind.
✔ The Inevitability of Certainty
Reason builds itself upon certainty, and yet astonishingly, it often looks down upon certainty.
This paradox is evident in the philosophical attitude that tries to construct arguments while sidelining the very certainty it depends on.
❖ Two Paths in the Face of Meaninglessness
① Path of Negligence
➤ Escaping difficult questions to find temporary comfort
➤ Seeking refuge in entertainment, materialism, or intoxicants
➤ Although momentarily soothing, this path ultimately deepens existential despair
② Path of Confrontation
➤ Facing the tough philosophical questions head-on
➤ Asking new, meaningful questions based on certainty
➤ Engaging deeply with the reality and importance of certainty
❖ Summary and Conclusion
The philosophical cure for existential meaninglessness lies in acknowledging the necessity of certainty.
The human intellect relies fundamentally on certainty, and any attempt to dismiss it leads nowhere.
Both philosophers and the modern individual must begin to see certainty not as a weakness, but as a gateway to deeper questions and a source of purpose and meaning in life.
