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How Technology is Reshaping Our Understanding of Existential Angst
More people are using technology to explore and understand existence.
In our constantly evolving world, the rise of technology has brought about significant changes in various aspects of our lives.
We are using the internet to explore and understand our existence, akin to how existential philosophers pondered life’s mysteries. For example, a person might delve into online forums or resources to find answers to their existential questions, reflecting the vast and complex nature of human existence
Among these changes is a profound impact on the concept of existential angst, a term originally rooted in philosophy.
Defining Existential Angst: A Philosophical Perspective
To understand the impact of technology on existential angst, it’s crucial to first define what existential angst is.
Traditionally associated with philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre, existential angst refers to a deep-seated sense of unease or anxiety about the meaning, choice, and freedom in life.
In 1844, Soren Kierkegaard wrote about anxiety as being the ‘dizziness of freedom’, the dizzying effect of looking into the boundlessness of one’s own possibilities.
Without anxiety there would be no possibility and therefore no capacity to grow and develop as a human being.
Albert Camus, a French philosopher and author, is known for his exploration of the absurdity of life. In his essay “The Myth of Sisyphus,” he discussed the absurdity of existence and the possibility of finding meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
He famously stated, “The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”
The Digital Age: A New Arena for Existential Questions
With the advent of the digital age, existential angst has found a new arena.
The internet and digital technologies have given rise to questions about self-identity, the meaning of human connections, and the impact of…
