The Desire to Not Exist

Summary

This video script delves into the complex human desire to not exist, exploring its philosophical underpinnings and psychological implications. It references Dostoyevsky's 'The Brothers Karamazov' and thinkers like Albert Camus, Søren Kierkegaard, and Arthur Schopenhauer to examine the yearning for non-experience and the struggle with existence. The script also analyzes the anime 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' as a narrative embodying this existential crisis, discussing the characters' battles with loneliness, desire, and the search for self-worth. The sensory deprivation experience is highlighted as a means to understand the void, suggesting that embracing the absurd and accepting one's desires can lead to self-acceptance and transcend the wish for non-existence.

Takeaways

• 🌌 The desire to not exist is a complex psychological wish, not just a belief about life's characteristics.
• 🤔 The concept of non-experience, or the wish to disappear without death or sadness, is a unique existential yearning.
• 📚 Dostoevsky's 'The Brothers Karamazov' presents a debate on the existence of God and the nature of suffering in the world.
• 🤨 Ivan Karamazov's rejection of God's goodness leads to questioning whether we want to exist in a world filled with suffering.
• 📖 Albert Camus suggests that contemplating suicide is a fundamental philosophical question, touching on the meaning of life.
• 🧐 Cognitive dissonance may explain why people who wish to not exist continue living, as death is messy and final.
• 🚫 The desire for nothingness could be a reaction to prohibition, desiring what is deemed impossible.
• 🕊️ Soren Kierkegaard discusses the torment of the desire to not exist as a form of despair, linked to the concept of eternity.
• 🎭 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' uses philosophical influences to depict the struggle with the desire to not exist, particularly through the character Shinji.
• 🧘 Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy on individual will and suffering is reflected in the anime's portrayal of existential loneliness.
• 🔮 The 'Human Instrumentality Project' in 'Evangelion' aims to eliminate individual suffering by merging all human consciousness into one.
• 🤝 Jacques Lacan's concept of 'the big other' is explored, suggesting that our desires form in response to separation from others.
• 💔 The feeling of shame arises from the fear of not being desired by the 'big other', which can lead to the desire to not exist.
• 💡 The sensory deprivation experience suggests that embracing the void can lead to contentment with existence rather than a rejection of it.
• 🛑 The solution to the desire to not exist may involve accepting the constant state of becoming, learning to define our own desires, and trusting in the acceptance of others despite friction.

Q & A

What is the desire to not exist as described in the script?

The desire to not exist, as described in the script, is a complex psychological yearning to disappear without causing sadness, violence, or death. It is not about wishing one was never born or self-destruction, but rather about the wish to fall asleep and never wake up again, experiencing non-experience.

What is the debate about the existence of God in Dostoyevsky's 'The Brothers Karamazov'?

In 'The Brothers Karamazov', the debate about the existence of God revolves around the suffering in the world. Ivan Karamazov argues that if God exists, He must be evil for creating a world with so much pain and suffering, including that of innocent children. He rejects the idea of God's goodness and questions the desire to exist in such a world.

How does Albert Camus' philosophy relate to the desire to not exist?

Albert Camus is known for stating that the fundamental question of philosophy is whether or not one should kill oneself. This relates to the desire to not exist in that it raises the question of the meaning and value of life, and whether life is worth living despite its inherent suffering.

What is cognitive dissonance and how does it relate to the desire to not exist?

Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds two contradictory beliefs but can only act on one of them. In the context of the desire to not exist, people may continue living because death is too messy and final. The easier belief to exhibit is to continue living, despite the desire to not exist.

What is the philosophical concept of 'eternity' as discussed in relation to the desire to not exist?

Eternity, in the philosophical context of the script, refers to a state where time seems to slow down or stop, and every day feels monotonous and unified. It is a state where one is held hostage by their own existence, unable to escape from themselves, which can lead to feelings of boredom, depression, and the desire to not exist.

How does the anime 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' depict the desire to not exist?

In 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', the desire to not exist is depicted through the character Shinji, who struggles with existential loneliness and the desire to escape his individual existence. The show explores this desire through philosophical influences and the concept of the 'Human Instrumentality Project', which aims to unify all human consciousness.

What is the 'Human Instrumentality Project' in 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'?

The 'Human Instrumentality Project' is a plan in 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' to destroy the boundaries of individual egos and merge all human consciousness into one total unit, aiming to achieve total harmony and eliminate suffering caused by individuality and separation.

What is the concept of 'the big other' as discussed in the script?

The 'big other' is a concept that represents an unknown entity or force that we believe desires something from us. It is a symbol or category that influences our desires and makes us question whether our desires and our selves are acceptable to it.

How does the desire to not exist relate to the concept of 'shame'?

Shame is related to the desire to not exist in that it arises from a deep disappointment with oneself for not being desired or valid. It involves viewing oneself from an external perspective, that of the 'big other', and feeling that one's desires and self are not acceptable.

What is the solution proposed in the script to overcome the desire to not exist?

The solution proposed in the script is to learn to decide for ourselves how we feel about our desires and what causes them, rather than seeking validation from an external 'big other'. It involves accepting the potential pains of desire and taking the risk to be accepted by others, which can lead to self-acceptance and moving beyond the desire to not exist.

What role does sensory deprivation play in understanding the desire to not exist?

Sensory deprivation, as experienced in a tank of saltwater that eliminates the senses, provides a glimpse into the state of nothingness that those with the desire to not exist yearn for. It offers a unique perspective on the peace and contentment that can be found in the absence of sensory input and external judgment.