Existentialism is a philosophical approach in which the aspect of one’s existence and meaning in life is brought into light by way of embracing experiences in the universe. In view of the fact that affirmation is not the same in all cases, this essay will discuss how atheist Nietzsche and Christian Paul Tillich take upon their unique existentialist perspectives to understand human existence with respect to the condition of existential crisis as respectively discussed in The Gay Science and The Courage to Be. Often on the edge of despairing disbelief, existential crisis may be deemed as the cultural condition in which one finds his or her self when questioned with the meaning of life. With a personal stance and mostly in reference to the texts, it is believed that individuals ought to strive for Tillich’s courage rather than seek to become Nietzsche’s …show more content…
In relation to the end of existence, Nietzsche’s social outlook is on an evolutionary timescale as he contemplates about the theory of evolution by natural selection, embracing the natural struggle for development. The hostile condemnation and hatred towards the concept of Christianity as a whole may be considered as a sign of weakness to convey that one is facing an existential crisis on the horizon. Although there is no factual proof of God’s existence, it ought to take great courage to accept that power may not fully reign in one’s hands to assume absolute full control in life. To refuse any reality of God and his existence is not the foundation that may be deemed as convincing as true to one’s self or true to humanity. Faith may not be considered as a kind of knowledge in view of the fact that “absolute knowledge and absolute control -- is the deepest root of atheism” (Tillich 185). Tillich interprets faith through the courage to be [in spite of]. Self-affirmation is not only dependent on the ability to find the courage to be as one’s self as an individual, but also to find the courage “to