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existentialist understands that he becomes more real, more authentic, the more he lives his own choices without compulsion or coersion from outside of himself.

Perfect freedom of choice, then is necessary. Obviously, the existentialist will fight tooth and nail against any kind of totalitarian system. He hates censorship in ANY form. He loves the free dissemination of thought. In this sense, the internet in its purest form is an existential meme. Too much pornography? For the existentialist, there is no such thing. Too much choice is impossible, and if some are choosing destructive, wasteful or hurtful things, then that is the price of freedom. Too much offensive speech? No such thing. If the expression of a thought disturbs you, the problem is not outside of yourself, but within. The existentialist is a complete and utter libertarian. Gun control? Drug control? All those things are symptoms of a society falling apart because governments always take away freedom, they cannot give us more. We are free agents of choice to begin with; governments can only tell us what is not permissable.

Finally, the greatest moral guide for the existentialist is compassion. When one understands that one is absurd, that there is no meaning in the universe, then the search for our identity, our authentic nature is the ultimate expression of our heroism. And we do that by reaching outside the walls of the self. When one can be compassionate, without the fear of punishment or the lure of reward, then one has found an authentic and real "good." If you steal a candy bar, you are a thief, no matter what your reasons. If you don't steal a candy bar because you are afraid of getting caught, then you are a child. If you don't steal a candy bar because it will make Jesus cry, then you are a child. If you don't steal a candy bar because thieves don't get to go to heaven, then you are a child. Now, if you're okay with being a thief, then you are certainly no existentialist, because you believe that a cnady bar has more meaning than your integrity.

But if you don't steal a candy bar because you understand that someone else, another human will be hurt by your act, even in a small way, and if you make the decision not to steal because you, in your heart, know that you are not a thief, then you are an existentialist. The absurd hero has victory when he makes a conscious decision to be himself, the compassionate person of integrity that chooses to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi were not existentialists, but they both lived their lives as if they were, and an existentialist would be next to them in their struggles. Both of these great men defied human law, without hurting anyone besides themselves, no matter what the consequences. They braved prison. They withstood abuse and humiliation. And they did these things in spite of knowing full well the consequences of their actions. They did the right things, no matter what the cost. Now, these two men did these great things because of their love of God, of their nation, their brothers. The moral existentialist must be no less rigorous in his pursuit of what is right.

Learn more about this author, John Devera.
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