Investigating the Mystical Foundations of Existential Philosophy

The Shift from Classical Metaphysics to Existentialist Metaphysics

The world of philosophy has seen a significant shift in perspective, particularly in the realm of metaphysics. This transformation can be seen in the emergence of existentialist metaphysics, a philosophical approach that fundamentally differs from its classical counterpart.

Classical metaphysics, traditionally, has been concerned with understanding the abstract and universal nature of reality. It seeks to uncover what exists, beyond human experience or perception, by exploring concepts such as being, identity, causality, necessity, and essence. The focus is on objective, systematic, and universal truths about the nature of existence [3][4].

In contrast, existentialist metaphysics places the individual human experience at its core. It asserts that the world has no predetermined or inherent meaning, and that meaning is created rather than discovered. This philosophical approach emphasizes freedom, choice, and the subjective confrontation with existence [1][2].

Key distinctions between the two metaphysical approaches are outlined below:

| Aspect | Classical Metaphysics | Existentialist Metaphysics | |------------------|------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Focus | Objective, universal nature of reality and existence | Subjective human existence and experience | | Meaning of existence | Inherent, discoverable essence of things | No inherent meaning; meaning is created by individuals | | Approach | Abstract, systematic, often logical or ontological | Concrete, personal, emphasizing freedom and choice | | Relation to human being | Generally external or detached from individual subjectivity | Central role of human subjectivity and freedom | | Foundational questions | What is being? What is reality? What is identity? | How does one authentically exist? What is freedom in a meaningless world? |

Existentialism, as a response or critique to traditional metaphysics, grounds metaphysical inquiry in lived human experience. It emphasizes the principle of "existence precedes essence," a phrase famously associated with Jean-Paul Sartre, signifying that individuals first exist and then define themselves through actions, contrasting the classical view that essence or nature precedes existence [2][3].

In essence, existentialist metaphysics shifts the metaphysical focus from universal abstract realities to the concrete, subjective realities of human existence, freedom, and meaning-making. Classical metaphysics, on the other hand, aims at uncovering universal, objective structures of reality independent from individual perspective.

This shift in perspective offers a stark contrast to traditional metaphysics, emphasizing personal experience, choice, and responsibility over universal truths or ideal forms. Existentialism invites each person to grapple with their own existence, acknowledging the weight of freedom and the necessity to create their own essence through actions.

The shift from classical metaphysics to existentialist metaphysics signifies a move from understanding the universal nature of reality to focusing on personal human experience.
Existentialist metaphysics asserts that meaning is created, not discovered, in contrast to classical metaphysics which seeks to uncover objective, systematic, and universal truths about existence.
In existentialist metaphysics, the world has no predetermined meaning, and individuals have the freedom and responsibility to create their own meaning, which is a stark contrast to classical metaphysics.
Epistemology, the study of knowledge, is significantly impacted by this shift as existentialism grounds metaphysical inquiry in lived human experience, contrasting the objective, systematic approach of classical metaphysics.
Health-and-wellness and mental-health strategies can benefit from a philosophical approach like existentialism, encouraging introspection and self-awareness as a means to define one's own essence and create meaning in life.
Values like freedom, choice, and the subjective confrontation with existence become central to existentialist metaphysics, emphasizing the importance of introspection and personal responsibility in determining one's identity and purpose.
Philosophy, specifically metaphysics, has undergone a transformation, moving from an emphasis on understanding abstract and universal concepts to understanding subjective human experiences and the meaning of life.