The nature of self / soul in existentialism and Hindu philosophical systems – a brief comparative estimate

Abstract

This paper is on comparative estimate of Existentialismand Hindu philosophical systems.The central import of Existentialism may be stated in the dictum: ‘Existence precedes Essence’. That is, according to Existentialism, man’s existence is prior to his essence. Essence is derived from existence. The essence of a man may be described as what he is in terms of the totality of his properties. But existence is the act by which he is, what he is. Again essence is a concept which can be known from without; but existence is not a concept and cannot be known from outside. Man’s existence is a basic act of becoming, whereas his essence is what he becomes. Man first exists and only afterwards the question of his essence comes into question. Like Existentialism, the Hindu philosophical systems enquire into the structure of human existence, its potentialities and limitations, as also its ethical interests. They are interested in analyzing such fundamental questions as: Who am I ? What is my real nature? How am I related to the things of the world outside? What is my goal? Etc. If Existentialism is defined as an enquiry into the conditions and nature of human freedom, then also the Hindu philosophical systems fit in, as they end up in the intense search for human freedom. Like Existentialism, they make a distinction between authentic (original) and inauthentic (fallen state or bondage) existence. If the inauthentic existence is marked by ignorance of man’s highest potentiality of being, authentic existence consists in a deliberate attempt, to liberate oneself from the fallen state, otherwise called Samsara.